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What foods are good for babies with reflux?

Understanding Reflux in Babies
Infant reflux, a common condition where stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, can be distressing for both babies and their parents. As babies transition to solid foods, choosing the right options becomes crucial in managing reflux symptoms. Parents often seek guidance on which foods can help alleviate discomfort while ensuring their little ones receive adequate nutrition.
Ideal Foods for Babies with Reflux
When introducing solids to a baby with reflux, pureed vegetables are often recommended. Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are particularly beneficial. These foods are not only gentle on the stomach but also provide essential nutrients without triggering reflux symptoms.
In addition to vegetables, certain fruits can be excellent first foods. Avocados, pears, and bananas are known for their low acidity and high nutritional value, making them suitable choices for babies experiencing reflux. These fruits can be easily mashed or pureed, allowing for a smooth introduction to solids.
Feeding Techniques to Minimize Discomfort
Beyond food selection, the manner in which food is offered can significantly impact reflux symptoms. Feeding babies in an upright position and keeping them upright for about 30 minutes post-feeding can help reduce the likelihood of reflux episodes. Additionally, incorporating frequent burping during feedings can alleviate pressure in the stomach, further minimizing discomfort.
Foods to Avoid
While focusing on beneficial foods, it’s equally important to be aware of those that may exacerbate reflux. Foods that are high in fat, sugar, or acidity should generally be avoided. For instance, rice cereal can sometimes lead to excessive gas and constipation, making it less ideal for reflux-prone infants. Instead, opting for oatmeal can be a better alternative, as it tends to be easier on the digestive system.
Conclusion
Navigating the introduction of solid foods for babies with reflux can be challenging, but with careful selection of low-acid, nutrient-rich foods and mindful feeding practices, parents can help ease their baby’s discomfort. Consulting with a pediatrician before making significant dietary changes is always advisable to ensure the best approach for each individual child’s needs.

What worsens reflux in babies?

Some factors that contribute to infant reflux are common in babies and often can’t be avoided. These include lying flat most of the time and being fed an almost completely liquid diet. Sometimes, infant reflux can be caused by more-serious conditions, such as: GERD.

What foods help acid reflux go away?

Choose foods such as:

  • Celery.
  • Cucumber.
  • Lettuce.
  • Watermelon.
  • Broth-based soups.
  • Herbal tea.

How do I put my baby down with reflux?

Put Them to Sleep on Their Back
The best sleeping position for babies with reflux and gassy babies is always flat on their backs on a firm surface. This is by far the safest sleeping position for babies, despite concerns that a baby with reflux may choke or vomit while sleeping.

What purees are best for reflux babies?

The best foods to feed a baby with reflux are purees of vegetables, particularly root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, swede, parsnips and sweet potato. You can also feed your baby any non-acidic fruits.

What baby foods are bad for acid reflux?

Food and reflux pain

  • Fruit and fruit juice, especially oranges, apples and bananas. Pears are the least acidic and an ideal first fruit for reflux babies.
  • Tomatoes and tomato sauce.
  • Chocolate.
  • Tea and coffee.
  • Spicy Foods.
  • Fizzy drinks (especially coke)
  • Fatty foods (i.e. fish and chips!!)

What foods help babies with reflux?

feed your infant thicker food. You child’s doctor may recommend adding cereal to formula or stored breast milk to make it thicker. Don’t change your infant’s food unless a doctor tells you to do so. remove cow’s milk protein from the infant’s diet.

What can I give my baby for reflux?

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

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

Is applesauce good for acid reflux?

Some believe eating apples after a meal can neutralize stomach acid. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. For most people with reflux, apples are a safe food.

What will immediately help acid reflux?

Antacids such as Tums, Mylanta, Maalox, Pepto-Bismol, Alka-Seltzer, Gelusil, and others can quickly relieve heartburn within a few minutes. Over-the-counter H2 blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB), nizatidine (Axid AR), and famotidine (Pepcid AC) decrease stomach acid production.

How I cured my baby’s 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.
Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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