Spitting up, or reflux, is very common in younger infants and can be due to: overfeedingweak abdominal musclesan immature or weak lower esophageal sphinctera slow digestive system In some rare cases, reflux in older infants is due to foodIn older children, it can also be a result of lactose intolerance. children are unable to process lactose, a sugar found in milk. In people with acid reflux, acid from their stomach comes upReflux is common in infants and doesn’t usually cause symptoms other than spitting up. Most babies grow out of it by the time they’re 12 months old and don’t require treatment other than simple lifestyle changes. Babies who have more severe symptoms may be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD). These symptoms may include: irritabilitypoor weight gainvomiting consistently Babies with these symptoms may need to take medication or GERD can be painful for babies, causing irritability and
This can make it difficult for them to fall or stay asleep. you’re having trouble getting your infant with GERD to sleep, here are some suggestions that may help. Because acid reflux occurs after meals, don’t put your infant to bed immediately after a feeding. Instead, burp them and wait 30 minutes before lying your baby down for a nap or for the evening. help make sure their system digested the meal. Similar to acid reflux in adults, acid reflux in infants can be made worse by their position, especially after eating. infants can’t sit up by themselves, make sure your infant remains upright for 30 minutes after eating. This will help aid digestion before your child sleeps. Raising the head of your infant’s crib can also help relieve the symptoms of acid reflux. You can do this by placing a towel underneath the head For adults, lying on their stomach can help decrease acidHowever, doctors don’t recommend this as a sleeping position for
infants, because it’s linked with sudden infant death syndrome. severe GERD often experience sleep apnea (the absence of breathing), so always place your baby on their back for Sometimes acid reflux causes babies to throw up everythingA baby who hasn’t had enough to eat will likely have troubleTalk to your child’s pediatrician if you think acid reflux is causing your baby to have difficulty sleeping. They can help you find aYour infant may need medication, a change in formula, or — in rareYour pediatrician can also recommend ways to help your baby If your baby has GERD and is taking medication, make sure you give them the medication exactly as prescribed by your pediatrician. aware of any side effects and when to call your doctor in an emergency. Sleep is important, both for infants and for their parents. Make sure to establish a consistent bedtime routine, and then follow itRocking your infant in an upright position until they’re drowsy and
almost asleep can help soothe them and may lessen symptoms of GERD or acid Getting an infant to sleep can be tricky for anyone, but acid reflux may add yet another challenge. Talk to your pediatrician about how acid reflux may be affecting your baby’s sleep and how you can help your babyYour doctor can suggest tips and tricks that will help your babyYou should also take notes on any triggers you see affecting your baby’s condition, and speak to your pediatrician about them.Is your child constantly irritable and continuously spitting up? Do they shriek from pain when they are laying flat on their backs? These may all be signs of something called gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and we’re here to reassure you that you’re not alone, and we have some suggestions and tips to help suppress the tears (yours, as well as your baby’s!) To put it into simple terms, it’s “heartburn.” It’s when the stomach contents move into the esophagus and/or mouth.
In infants, that could be either milk, or stomach acid. Around 25% of babies have some degree of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), ranging from mild (where they painlessly spit up numerous times daily) to severe (abdominal pain, waking at night, colic symptoms.) It’s now known that the diagnosis of “colic” in the past, can likely be pinpointed to GER. It is estimated that between 40-60% of infants experience some form of reflux, so the correlation between the two may or may not be coincidental. GER occurs when the lower band of muscle that is supposed to act as a one-way valve allowing food and liquid into the stomach is immature and not quite developed enough. This band of muscle is more relaxed, which allows for reflux back into the esophagus and possibly the mouth. The contents irritate the lining of your esophagus, and that is what we, as adults, label “heartburn.” We also know that there are two types of GER associated with infants: gastroesophageal reflux, and laryngopharyngeal reflux, also known as “silent reflux.”
Silent reflux occurs when the baby is able to swallow the contents back down, but not before the contents irritate the esophagus. This type can be much more difficult to diagnose, because it won’t be as obvious as having been spit up on hundreds of times throughout the day. It is possible for a child to suffer from both types simultaneously. Infants who suffer from silent reflux may have some or all of the symptoms, while infants with GER will spit up and exert some or all of the following symptoms: All is not lost! Keep in mind that this is an actual medical condition, and options for treatments should be discussed with a board certified pediatrician. They may suggest placing them on a prescriptive medication, or start a different regiment to help suppress the symptoms as much as possible. A huge culprit in infant reflux is their diet. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, that in turn, means your diet. Breast milk has a huge advantage over formula for babies with reflux, because it contains enzymes to speed digestion.
Additionally, a baby cannot be allergic to it’s mother’s milk itself, compared to a specific type or ingredient in formula. A baby can be sensitive to something the mother is ingesting, however, and the most common culprit is dairy. In many cases, eliminating dairy from the mother’s diet can calm the symptoms of reflux, but it’s important to note that it can take upwards to two weeks for all traces of dairy to leave your body. If you are formula feeding, use a hypoallergenic variety of formula recommended by your doctor. (And check out this post on What’s In Your Baby’s Formula?) Once you begin evaluating what your baby is eating, now it’s time to change up how your baby eats. Sometimes, all that babies with reflux need is a bit of motion to help them sleep, or stay asleep, whether that movement be through vibrations, rocking, or swaying. If your baby prefers a rocking motion, we adore the Hushamok Baby Hammock, which is a great alternative to a bassinet. Made with 100% organic materials, the Baby Hammock is soft, snuggle, and has movement designed to mimic the womb.
Stay tuned for a full feature on this awesome product and all it has to offer, coming soon! As mentioned above, sleeping at a slight incline may help your baby to be more comfortable and have a better rest period. There are a bunch of different options available on the market that will keep your baby at in incline for sleep, such as the Kolcraft Cuddle N’ Care 2-in-1 Bassinet and Incline Sleeper, the Tiny Love 3 in 1 Rocker Napper, and Acid Reflux Pillow Wedge, or a Rock-N-Play Sleeper. Each items has it’s benefits and use, and finding your baby’s preference is (unfortunately) many times a game of trial and error. Do not discredit something because it didn’t magically allow you hours of uninterrupted sleep the very first night though. It’s a learning curve, and what may not work one night may turn out to be their preferred method or angle of sleep after a while. As mentioned above, nursing or bottle feeding your baby with their body at an inclined position has been found to speed digestion, and decrease reflux.
We love the Dr. Brown’s Gia Angled Breastfeeding Pillow for that very reason. The pillow sits taller, and wider than most nursing pillows, giving mom (and baby) the versatility to choose which position, and/or angle works best for them. The Gia was created by a lactation consultant and has a large surface area, preventing the baby from rolling, slipping, or being caught in the “crack” that many other pillows have. The pillow is 100% natural cotton, keeping it soft and comfortable, and you can use the Gia with or without a decorative (yet functional) cover. Dr. Brown’s Gia Angled Breastfeeding Pillow Positioning your infant after feedings is also very important, as having a full belly is often the most painful time for babies that suffer from reflux. Keeping your baby in an upright position for at least 30 minutes generally helps, however, few mothers have the time to remain seated for such long periods of time. While you won’t want to jostle or do too much activity wearing your baby, using a wrap is a great option, and our favorite woven wrap to maintain this position is the Moby Wrap.
The Moby Wrap uses the entire back and shoulders to distribute your baby’s weight, making it comfortable for both you and your little one. There are no straps or buckles to pinch, and the material is soft and breathable. It has a wide piece of fabric that will fit snugly over your baby’s shoulders, keeping them close to you providing a very secure feeling. And with 20 color options, there is a Moby Wrap for every Mom and baby duo. If using a wrap seems complicated, and your little one prefers to have skin to skin time, the Kangaroo Care shirt from Milk & Baby is the perfect choice. These shirts truly are 3-in-1; they are a carrier, a nursing top, and a postpartum shirt that supports your belly. The Kangaroo Cares shirts are a breeze to take on and off, and will help your newborn establish a healthy breastfeeding relationship, and will keep them secure during their fourth trimester. The Kangaroo Care shirt fits babies up to 15 lbs, and will hold them close to your heart, as well as in the ideal inclined position with their head on your chest.
We love the Milk & Baby brand especially, because they offer skin to skin shirts in many different styles, as well as one specifically for plus sized, and even for men! Keep your baby close to your heart with this easy to use shirt that is easy, and comfortable. What ever path you go down, or item you choose, know that infant reflux is temporary, and that you are not alone. Reach out to other moms for support; you’ll be surprised how common infant reflux is, and how many of your friends have “been there and done that.” In fact, their clothing may still sport the battle scar spit up stains to prove it. This post is meant for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice from your physician, doctor or health care professional. Please read our terms of use for more information. Becca P, The Memoirs of Megan, Kayla Grant Photography, Little Miss Eclectic Photography Tags: acid reflux, babies, baby, children, dairy free, diet, GER, GERD, helpful mom resources, how to, infant, mom, mom tips, motherhood, newborn, parenting, reflux, silent reflux, spit up, spitting up, what is, what to do, zantac