8 Remedies for Baby Reflux
If your little one is suffering from baby reflux, try out the first seven natural remedies. If that doesn't relieve some of the symptoms of acid reflux, then talk to your pediatrician. The good news is that babies usually grow out acid reflux as their digestive system matures so most babies will not have to endure this for long.
1. Elevate baby while eating
Whether you are bottle or breastfeeding, it’s best to have him sit upright. This ensures that the milk goes down into the stomach versus staying up in the esophagus, which causes the discomfort.
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2. Hold baby upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding
To make this easy and promote bonding at the same time, you can wear your baby in an infant carrier, like the TwinGo Carrier! Other options include, holding your baby in your arms as you walk around the house or sit on the couch. Reclining devices can be useful to prop a baby upright, such as Boppy pillow, bouncy seats, swings and strollers.
3. Elevate baby while sleeping
There are a number of devices to help keep your baby safely elevated while sleeping. Bouncy seats, swings, reclining bassinets and crib wedges are the most common. Don’t forget that your baby can also sleep in the stroller, car seat and baby carrier. For any sleeping arrangement, it is essential you are aware of proper positioning so you do not put your child at risk of suffocation.
4. Try body work
Chiropractors can provide very gentle manipulations—almost like a massage—to correct spinal, pelvic and cranial misalignments. Another option is infant massage or cranial sacral treatments, which are gentle strokes and techniques that can target problem areas, such as bicycle legs or moving your hands clockwise over the baby’s digestive tract to relieve gas and bloating.
5. Adjust mom’s diet
If you are a nursing mom, eliminate dairy products from your diet. Dairy proteins can irritate baby’s immature digestive tract. Other common allergens include wheat, gluten, citrus, coffee, nuts, eggs, and soy. Be sure you give up the eliminated food/drink for a month before you determine if it’s the culprit.
6. Try an infant probiotic
Giving your baby a probiotic formulated for infants to help boost baby’s digestion can help alleviate many of the acid reflux symptoms naturally. You can just mix a little in breast milk or formula and spoon-feed or give with a syringe.
7. Try homeopathic remedies
Nat Phos is a natural cell salt that we normally produce to aid in digestion but it can be insufficient in newborns. There are other herbs and supplements to sooth the digestive system like Gripe Water or Colic Calm.
8. Talk to your doctor about medications
If natural remedies do not help to reduce most of the symptoms of baby reflux, pediatricians may prescribe medications to decrease your baby’s stomach acid. Examples would include:
- Antacids (e.g. Mylanta or Maalox)
- Histamine-2 blockers (e.g. Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, or Zantac)
- Proton-Pump Inhibitors (e.g. Nexium, Prilosec, or Prevacid)
Medications are usually a last resort, as many infants with baby reflux aren’t producing enough stomach acid. By giving acid-blocking medication, they will have temporary relief but it could set up a long-term problem for gut health.
