Is my breastmilk causing baby acid reflux?

Understanding Baby Acid Reflux and Breastfeeding
If you’re concerned that your breastmilk might be causing your baby’s acid reflux, it’s important to understand the nature of reflux in infants and the role that breastfeeding plays in it. Acid reflux, or gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR), is a common condition in babies, particularly those under three months old. In fact, studies suggest that up to 40-50% of infants experience some degree of regurgitation daily.
The Nature of Infant Reflux
Most infant reflux is not necessarily a cause for alarm. It often occurs because babies have small stomachs and immature digestive systems. As they grow, many will outgrow this condition by the time they reach 18 months. The reflux can manifest as spitting up or vomiting, which is typically considered a normal part of infant development.
Breastmilk: A Natural Choice
Breastmilk is generally regarded as the ideal nutrition for infants, even those experiencing reflux. In fact, breastmilk is often more beneficial for babies with reflux than formula. It is easier to digest and contains antibodies that can help protect against infections. While some parents may wonder if certain foods in their diet could affect their breastmilk and contribute to reflux, the evidence suggests that breastmilk itself is not a direct cause of reflux symptoms.
Factors Contributing to Reflux
Several factors can contribute to reflux in infants, including:
– Feeding Techniques: Ineffective latching during breastfeeding can lead to air intake, which may exacerbate reflux symptoms. Ensuring a proper latch and feeding position can help mitigate this issue.
– Overfeeding: Babies may experience reflux if they consume too much milk at once. This can happen if they are fed too frequently or if they are not allowed to burp adequately during feeds.
– Positioning: The position in which a baby is fed can also influence reflux. Keeping the baby upright during and after feeding can help reduce the likelihood of spitting up.
Dietary Considerations for Nursing Mothers
While breastmilk is typically well-tolerated, some mothers may consider adjusting their diets to see if it impacts their baby’s reflux. Certain foods, such as caffeine, spicy foods, and dairy, have been suggested to potentially affect breastmilk composition and could be worth monitoring. However, it’s essential to approach dietary changes cautiously and consult with a healthcare professional before making significant adjustments.
Conclusion
In summary, while it’s natural to worry about the impact of breastmilk on your baby’s reflux, the evidence indicates that breastmilk is generally beneficial and not a primary cause of reflux symptoms. If your baby is experiencing significant discomfort or feeding issues, it’s advisable to consult with a pediatrician or a lactation consultant. They can provide tailored advice and support to help manage your baby’s reflux effectively while continuing to breastfeed.

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 stop my baby from getting reflux while breastfeeding?

Do

1. ask a health visitor for advice and support.
2. get advice about your baby’s breastfeeding position or how to bottle feed your baby.
3. hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding.
4. burp your baby regularly during feeds.
5. give formula-fed babies smaller feeds more often.

Can reflux be caused by poor latch?

A poor latch, scheduled feeds, oral restrictions or difficulty managing flow can all cause excess air to be swallowed. The stomach valve will then open to allow it to escape. As air comes back up, milk escapes too. Correcting the feeding issue so that air isn’t swallowed can reduce or eliminate reflux.

Does mother’s diet affect baby reflux?

Sometimes, an elimination trial of dairy from the mother’s diet can help reduce baby reflux; keeping a food diary can help spot patterns in case there are any other food intolerances to be considered. Elimination diets are best done with support from a health professional.

What should a breastfeeding mother avoid eating?

Caffeine. It’s not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine – it’s in chocolate, and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.

What foods make your breast milk acidic?

Over time, however, eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages — such as soda; alcohol; caffeine; grains, including millet, rice, oatmeal, rye pastas and flour; as well as nuts — can compromise these buffering systems.

How did I cured my baby’s reflux naturally?

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.

How do you know if breast milk is not agreeing with a baby?

MSPI symptoms

​fussiness or excess crying before, during and after a feeding	​stools may be infrequent, watery, have mucous, or be bloody
​reflux	​spitting up
​nasal congestion	​skin rash, eczema, hives, dry skin
​weight loss	​repeated vomiting
​sudden waking with discomfort	​

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.

Can breast milk cause acid reflux in babies?

However, approximately 7% of infants experience severe reflux, requiring medical care [3]. While the proportion of infants who suffer from reflux is similar among those who are breastfed and those who are formula fed, breastfed infants often have fewer and shorter episodes of reflux [2].