How do you stop reflux in breastfed babies?

Understanding Reflux in Breastfed Babies
Reflux, often characterized by a baby bringing milk back up during or shortly after feeding, is a common concern among new parents. While it can be alarming, it’s important to recognize that spitting up is typically a normal part of infant development, especially in the early months when their digestive systems are still maturing. However, for some babies, reflux can become more problematic, leading to discomfort and feeding challenges.
Strategies to Manage Reflux
To help alleviate reflux in breastfed babies, several strategies can be employed:
1. Optimize Feeding Techniques: Ensuring that breastfeeding is effective is crucial. This means making sure the baby is latched properly and that the mother’s breasts are well-drained after each feeding. A good latch helps the baby consume milk more efficiently, which can reduce the likelihood of reflux.
2. Frequent, Smaller Feedings: Instead of larger, less frequent feedings, consider feeding your baby smaller amounts more often. This approach can help minimize the volume of milk in the stomach at any one time, potentially reducing the chances of reflux.
3. Upright Positioning: Keeping the baby upright during and after feedings can significantly help. As “carry mammals,” humans are naturally inclined to hold their babies close and upright, which can aid digestion and reduce reflux episodes.
4. Burping Techniques: Regular burping during and after feeds can help release any trapped air in the baby’s stomach, which may contribute to reflux. Experimenting with different burping positions can also be beneficial.
5. Responsive Feeding: Being attentive to the baby’s hunger cues and feeding them when they show signs of hunger can help prevent overfeeding, which is a common trigger for reflux.
6. Consulting Healthcare Professionals: If reflux symptoms persist or worsen, it’s essential to consult a pediatrician. They can provide guidance tailored to the baby’s specific needs and rule out any underlying conditions that may require treatment.
When to Seek Help
While occasional spitting up is generally not a cause for concern, parents should be vigilant for signs that may indicate a more serious issue. If the baby is experiencing significant discomfort, poor weight gain, or if the reflux is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical advice.
In conclusion, while reflux can be a challenging aspect of caring for a breastfed baby, understanding the condition and implementing effective strategies can help manage it. With patience and the right approach, many families find ways to navigate this common phase of infancy.

What makes reflux worse in breastfed babies?

The wrong size and shape teat can make reflux much worse. Too fast and your baby will gulp and take in large air bubbles, too slow and more air than milk is sucked in. Sucking with little reward can frustrate and exhaust your baby.

Can gripe water help 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.

How I cured my baby’s reflux breastfeeding?

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)

Does eliminating dairy help infant reflux?

Babies who are allergic to cow’s milk protein also spit up and vomit. So, what looks like reflux might actually be an allergy. Your pediatrician may advise eliminating cow’s milk for two weeks to see if symptoms improve. This means if you’re breastfeeding, you’d remove all forms of dairy from your diet.

Can a pacifier help with reflux?

Sucking a soother can help baby swallow back down any stomach contents that may reflux up. Sucking also stimulates the wave like movement of the gut, helping to move any wind along the digestive tract. Saliva produced in the mouth has a slight antacid effect and can help in a small way as it’s swallowed.

How to fix infant reflux?

Feed your baby in an upright position.
Then, hold your baby in a sitting position for 30 minutes after feeding. Gravity can help stomach contents stay where they belong. Be careful not to jostle or jiggle your baby while the food is settling.

Can mom’s diet cause reflux in babies?

And if you breastfeed, making changes to your diet might help your baby. Some studies have shown that reducing intake of milk and eggs may help, though more research is needed to determine how much this affects the condition. Certain foods may be causing acid reflux, depending on your infant’s age.

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.

What position should I breastfeed to prevent reflux?

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.

What foods increase 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.