How can I reduce acidity while breastfeeding?

Understanding Acidity During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a beautiful yet challenging journey for many mothers, and managing bodily discomforts like acidity can be crucial for both maternal and infant well-being. Acidity, often manifesting as heartburn or acid reflux, can be exacerbated by dietary choices and lifestyle factors. For breastfeeding mothers, addressing this issue is essential not only for their comfort but also to ensure that their milk remains nutritious and well-tolerated by their babies.
Dietary Adjustments
One of the most effective ways to reduce acidity is through careful dietary management. Certain foods are known to trigger acid reflux and should be minimized or avoided. These include:
– Spicy Foods: Ingredients like chili peppers can irritate the stomach lining and lead to increased acidity.
– Citrus Fruits: While healthy, fruits like oranges and grapefruits can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms.
– Tomato-Based Products: Items such as tomato sauce and ketchup are acidic and can contribute to heartburn.
– Caffeine and Carbonated Beverages: Both can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to escape into the esophagus.
Instead, breastfeeding mothers should focus on a diet rich in alkaline foods. Incorporating more vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help balance the body’s pH levels. Foods like bananas, oatmeal, and green leafy vegetables are excellent choices that can soothe the stomach and reduce acidity.
Lifestyle Modifications
In addition to dietary changes, certain lifestyle adjustments can significantly alleviate acidity. Here are some strategies:
– Frequent, Smaller Meals: Eating smaller portions more frequently can prevent the stomach from becoming overly full, which can trigger acid reflux.
– Stay Upright After Eating: Remaining upright for at least an hour after meals can help keep stomach acid where it belongs.
– Hydration: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help dilute stomach acid and promote digestion.
Monitoring and Adjusting
Every mother’s body reacts differently to various foods, so it’s essential to monitor how specific items affect acidity levels. Keeping a food diary can be beneficial in identifying triggers. If certain foods consistently lead to discomfort, it may be wise to eliminate them from the diet temporarily to see if symptoms improve.
Seeking Professional Guidance
If acidity persists despite dietary and lifestyle changes, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable. A lactation consultant or a registered dietitian can provide personalized advice tailored to individual needs, ensuring that both mother and baby remain healthy and nourished.
Conclusion
Managing acidity while breastfeeding is a multifaceted approach that involves dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes, and ongoing monitoring. By being mindful of food choices and habits, mothers can significantly reduce discomfort and enjoy a more pleasant breastfeeding experience. Ultimately, a balanced diet not only supports the mother’s health but also contributes to the overall well-being of the baby.

What foods cause acid 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.

Does honey and hot water help acid reflux?

Heat and liquids alter the viscosity of honey, so adding honey to warm water or tea may change the properties of honey that are useful for acid reflux. Honey could potentially work best when consumed by itself after meals to maintain its viscosity and coat the contents of the stomach.

How do you treat acidity while breastfeeding?

Antacid and alginate preparations
There is extensive experience of use of antacids during breastfeeding and they are considered first-line options for managing heartburn or dyspepsia. Alginates and simeticone are also considered acceptable for use during breastfeeding.

How do you stop acid reflux in breastfed babies?

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)

What antacid is safe while breastfeeding?

Medications that are considered safe for breastfeeding
Antacids (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums) Anticoagulants (blood thinners such as Lovenox, Fragmin, Innohep, Heparin) Antihistamines (such as Claritin; Benadryl is also safe but may cause infant drowsiness)

Why is my breastmilk so acidic?

However, there are other ways than diet that can make breast milk become acidic. The most common is a result of intense physical activity. When you work your muscles to the max, they break down; a byproduct of this breakdown of muscle tissue is lactic acid.

What is the best breastfeeding for reflux?

Koala-hold (straddle-hold)
Koala-hold position is good for babies with reflux, an ear infection, tongue-tie, low muscle tone, hip dysplasia or oversupply of breast milk. This position is easier for babies who can sit unaided. You can use this position with a newborn if you give your baby plenty of support.

How I cured my baby’s acid reflux?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Feed your baby in an upright position. Then, hold your baby in a sitting position for 30 minutes after feeding.
2. Try smaller, more frequent feedings.
3. Take time to burp your baby.
4. Put baby to sleep on the back.

Does acidity in mother affect breast milk?

Eating such foods can cause gas in the mother’s bowel; however, gas and fiber do not pass into breast milk. Similarly, acidic foods like citrus fruits, pineapple, and tomatoes do not affect breast milk, as these foods do not change the pH of maternal plasma10).

How do you neutralize milk acidity?

Developed acidity was neutralized with the addition of calculated amount of neutralizer (sodium bicarbonate) at required rate to adjust the acidity to 0.14 % LA (~acidity of fresh milk).