Most babies spit milk after feeding, maybe several times a day. But if specific symptoms or problems accompany milk spitting then it may be due to acid reflux in babies. Know more about its causes, symptoms and diagnoses and how to treat acid reflux at home(1).
If your baby fight bread feeding, is always stiff and arch her back regularly, is uneasy when laying on her back or even if her breath smell sour, then the little one may be experiencing baby reflux.
Acid reflux is medically called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD(2). A baby with acid reflux is referred to as ‘Scrawny Screamers’. GERD may cause your baby to drink less milk, thus becoming ‘Scrawny’ or underweight.
However, GERD may also make your baby overeat because they think swallowing and milk will help them keep their acid at bay.
Although GERD is common among the adults, it is surprisingly pretty much the same in infants and toddlers too.
So How Do I Know If My Baby Has Acid Reflux Because Most Babies Spit!
A straightforward way to find this out is to see how your baby reacts after vomiting. If your baby appears happy and doesn’t seem to be in any discomfort or pain, then she is just a happy spitter.
However, here are some essential list symptoms you should look out for;
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Acid reflux happens when acid in the stomach or food soon after feeding, moves up, back into the esophagus, the tube that goes down from the mouth into the stomach. And if the pressure is high, the acid or food may come up into the mouth or out like vomit.
“In infants, until the age of 1 year, the trifling percentage of acid reflux is normal as their digestive system is still immature.”
In older babies, the reason for GERD is different, unlike adults as well. In most cases, Acid reflux in babies causes when the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach relaxes or when pressure forms below the valve.
Doctors use several methods to diagnose acid reflux, which is more crucial in the case of silent reflux;
Apart from the mainstream medical prescriptions, such as Antacids, Histamines or Proton-Pump Inhibitors to decrease or neutralize the acid percentage in infants, there are several natural remedies to treat acid reflux in babies which parents can try at home.
Raise the baby’s head with pillows or the head of the crib or bassinet. After feeding, hold your baby upright for 30 minutes. You can also change your infant’s feeding schedule as this may taper the bile formation in the stomach. If your doctor allows, try feeding your baby solid foods such as cereals.
Keep your older baby upright for two hours after she’s eaten. Instead of big meals, serve your child small but several meals. Also, check on the food that she eats which worsens her acid reflux.
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Exercises improve digestion which helps reduce acid reflux. Activities that fight gas and bloating can be done 30 minutes after feeding. Some of the best options include
Regular massages improve the digestive system and respiratory tract. It also builds stronger bones and muscles and promotes mobility in the body
Massaging in babies stimulates the vagus nerve in the brain, the nerve which regulates several regions of the digestive system and respiratory glands. Massaging tips include
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Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, lauric acid. It helps reduce reflux and improves the lubrication of digestive systems.
Although it differs from babies to babies, swaddling infants below three months can reduce symptoms of acid reflux significantly.
Fennel seeds surprisingly have super effects on acid reflux, indigestion, and gas, in both nursing mothers and babies.
You can also add roasted and powdered fennel seeds in baby food
With these home remedies to treat acid reflux in babies, the symptoms will gradually taper. Once your baby is free from GERD, make sure you devotionally practice a healthy diet and lifestyle to eliminate its reoccurrence further.
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Pacifiers do help babies with Acid Reflux. They help in moving the stomach fluids back quickly to where it belongs.
Acid reflux just like in adults depends on the posture. As babies are only lying on their backs, it is important to burp them after feeding. A minimum gap of 30mins should be maintained in between feeding and sleeping.