Recognize and Relieve Newborn Acid Reflux
Relief from newborn acid reflux takes only a few simple gestures and good habits in most cases. Costly natural remedies tend not to help and medication is only needed in few, serious cases.All too many newborn babies who cry often and sleep poorly are diagnosed with
newborn acid reflux all too
quickly.Being uncomfortable after a feed, especially when laid down flat is very normal in these first weeks.
Every young baby, whether breastfed or formula fed, will spit up some milk after a feed.
That is normal and it is the harmless form of reflux, called Gastro Esophageal Reflux or GER.
It is simply due to baby's very new and immature digestive system. The relief tips below will be all you need to help your baby through this phase.
There is a medical condition through, the serious form of reflux: Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder or GERD.
In this case, your baby will not just spit up but repeatedly vomit forcefully up to 5 times a day or more. She may not only cry a lot and sleep poorly but also not gain weight as should and not develop well overall.
To help you recognize either of these two types of newborn acid reflux, the Baby Reflux Symptoms Guide page gives a complete list of symptoms to look out for.
If you suspect GERD, consult your pediatrician who can suggest the right treatment. All the while, the relief tips will also help.
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Newborn Acid Reflux Relief Tips
Quite naturally, we often tend to keep a newborn baby in a lie-down position.We keep her lying in our arms when holding close or carrying around. She's lying down to be changed, when put down to sleep and ... when feeding her.
It's easy, and a good safe position for her just new bones and muscles.
But, when it comes to digesting food: lying down is not so ideal.
You can prevent most troubles with acid reflux simply by keeping baby upright during and after feeding. Combine this with light, small but regular feedings and you'll have solved most discomfort before your baby even knows it ...
- (Continue to) breastfeed: breastfeeding is perfectly adapted to your newborn baby's needs. It is lightly digested: just what you need to avoid the reflux issues.
Do find a position in
which your baby is not lying entirely flat though.
- Feed small portions frequently: your newborn baby will cope with small portions much better than larger portions. So do stick to feeding small amounts every 2-3 hours rather than trying to stuff and hold out for longer.
Tip: This is also an
important safety recommendation that I give with regards to sleeping.
The Complete
Newborn Sleep Guide (e-book) details this and other safe
sleeping advice for your newborn.
- Feed upright: whether breastfeeding or formula feeding, have your baby upright as much as possible.
- Keep baby upright after a feed for at least 20-30 minutes. Avoid putting her down straight away.
You may want to change diapers before feeding
so you are not in a rush afterwards to lie her down to change.
- Burp after feeding: while keeping your baby upright, gently pat her back or move her high up on your shoulder (facing opposite to you) to help her burp.
Not all babies burp easily
but it is important to give your baby at least the chance to do so.
- Lift up the crib mattress. This is a classic recommendation for reflux to have baby sleep with her head a bit higher than the rest of her body. But please be very careful.
Do not use a pillow. Lift
the mattress only by placing a small towel or similar under the
mattress. Or heighten the feet of the crib.
And place your baby with her feet at the feet end of the crib so she won't slide down.
And place your baby with her feet at the feet end of the crib so she won't slide down.
Or would it be ...?
Newborn acid reflux can be very uncomfortable for your baby. She will often cry when put down and may have trouble sleeping.
Carefully do all the tips above, you should see relief quickly.
If you do worry that your baby has a more serious form of acid reflux it is important to consult your doctor.
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