How can I help my baby with reflux while breastfeeding?

Understanding Reflux in Breastfed Babies
Reflux, often referred to as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is a common issue among infants, characterized by the return of stomach contents back up into the esophagus. While many babies experience some degree of reflux, it can be particularly concerning for breastfeeding mothers who want to ensure their little ones are comfortable and thriving. Understanding how to manage reflux while breastfeeding can make a significant difference for both mother and baby.
Key Strategies to Help Your Baby with Reflux
1. Optimize Feeding Positions
One of the most effective ways to alleviate reflux symptoms is to adjust the baby’s feeding position. Experts recommend keeping the baby’s head elevated during breastfeeding. This can be achieved by holding your baby in a more upright position, such as the football hold or by using a nursing pillow to elevate their head above their stomach. This positioning helps gravity keep the milk down and reduces the likelihood of spitting up.
2. Frequent Burping
Burping your baby frequently during and after feedings is crucial. This practice helps release any trapped air that could contribute to discomfort and reflux. It’s advisable to burp your baby whenever they pull off the nipple or after every few minutes of feeding. This not only minimizes reflux symptoms but also helps your baby feel more comfortable.
3. Smaller, More Frequent Feedings
Feeding your baby smaller amounts more frequently can also help manage reflux. Instead of larger, less frequent feedings, try to nurse your baby little and often. This approach can prevent the stomach from becoming too full, which is a common trigger for reflux.
4. Monitor Your Diet
While breastfeeding, your diet can impact your baby’s reflux. Some mothers find that certain foods can exacerbate reflux symptoms in their babies. Common culprits include dairy, caffeine, and spicy foods. Keeping a food diary may help you identify any dietary triggers that could be affecting your baby.
5. Responsive Feeding
Being responsive to your baby’s cues is essential. If your baby seems fussy or uncomfortable, it may be a sign that they need to be fed or burped. Responsive feeding not only helps with reflux but also strengthens the breastfeeding relationship.
Additional Considerations
It’s important to note that while some spitting up is normal for infants, persistent or severe reflux may require medical attention. If you notice that your baby is experiencing significant discomfort, poor weight gain, or other concerning symptoms, consulting with a pediatrician or a lactation consultant can provide tailored support and guidance.
In conclusion, managing reflux while breastfeeding involves a combination of strategic feeding positions, frequent burping, smaller feedings, dietary adjustments, and being attuned to your baby’s needs. By implementing these strategies, you can help your baby feel more comfortable and enjoy a more positive breastfeeding experience.

What is the best position to breastfeed a baby with reflux?

Use positions for feeding that keep baby’s head higher than her tummy, such as a laid-back position or having baby diagonally across your chest in a cradle hold. Avoid positions that have baby bending at the waist, putting more pressure on her tummy.

Can gripe water help reflux?

Does gripe water help with reflux? Many gripe water brands contain baking soda, an antacid. Antacids can help calm stomach pain caused by too much acid in the stomach. But for most babies, stomachaches aren’t caused by stomach acid, so baking soda won’t help.

What foods make babies gassy through breast milk?

Many mothers have reported foods such as kale, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, peppers or spicy foods cause infant gas, while many babies tolerate these foods just fine.

Does gripe water help with reflux?

Gripe water can also be a great way to ease the symptoms of acid reflux in infants. It is a natural approach to help reduce the stomach acid that causes pain. The mixture of herbs is designed to soothe and relax the infant’s developing digestive system.

What foods cause reflux in breastfed babies?

Citrus fruit, tomatoes, caffeine containing drinks (tea, coffee, coke) and chocolate may also need to be avoided by the breast-feeding mother of a reflux baby. Remember that all babies are different and different babies react to different foods – the list above is a guideline only.

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting my baby’s stomach?

If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day. This lets you carefully look at your diet instead of getting rid of foods that may not be the cause of your baby’s distress.

How can I soothe my newborn’s reflux?

Feeding changes may help your baby’s reflux and GERD:

1. Add rice cereal to your baby’s bottle of formula or breastmilk.
2. Burp your baby after every 1 to 2 ounces of formula.
3. Avoid overfeeding; give your baby the amount of formula or breast milk recommended.
4. Hold your baby upright for 30 minutes after feedings.

Can a pacifier help with reflux?

It’s a common belief that using a dummy helps soothe babies with reflux. With acid reflux this is another big no no! Apart from teaching your baby the wrong association; sucking creates wind, stimulates stomach acid and adds fuel to the fire with reflux.

How to help a breastfed baby with reflux?

Helping your baby with reflux

1. get advice about your baby’s breastfeeding position.
2. hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding.
3. burp (or wind) your baby regularly during feeds.
4. make sure your baby sleeps flat on their back (they should not sleep on their side or front)

Is side-lying breastfeeding ok for reflux?

As the opening from the stomach to the oesophagus is usually on the right side, keeping the right side higher than the left may also help. Short, frequent feeds ease the incidence and discomfort of reflux. If a mother has a copious milk supply then feeding one side only at each feed may ease discomfort.