An accurate diagnosis of acid needs to be made before treatment can begin. Your baby's doctor will also be able to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms.
Reflux can occur normal infants, but sometimes it is more serious. Your baby's doctor may decide no treatment is needed, because the reflux will disappear on it's own as your baby grows older, resolving itself during the first year of life. If your baby is otherwise healthy and is growing, the doctor may recommend a lifestyle changes in order to ease the reflux. If the reflux is more serious, the doctor may prescribe medication to help treat the reflux.
Reflux can occur normal infants, but sometimes it is more serious. Your baby's doctor may decide no treatment is needed, because the reflux will disappear on it's own as your baby grows older, resolving itself during the first year of life. If your baby is otherwise healthy and is growing, the doctor may recommend a lifestyle changes in order to ease the reflux. If the reflux is more serious, the doctor may prescribe medication to help treat the reflux.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: N/A
Here's How:
- Talk to the Doctor
It is very important to discuss treatment options with your baby's doctor before beginning any treatment method, especially before using any over-the-counter remedy. - Hold Baby Upright
Keep infants upright during feedings and for at least 30 minutes after feedings. This will decrease the amount of gastric reflux your baby experiences. - Try Smaller, More Frequent Feedings
Feedings every two to three hours when the infant is awake will reduce the occurrence of gastric reflux. Overfeeding can increase abdominal pressure, which can lead to gastric reflux. - Try Rice Cereal
This can reduce the amount an infant will regurgitate. Start with one teaspoon of rice cereal to each ounce of formula. If the baby is breastfed, try pumping and then adding rice cereal to the breast milk. - Modify Diets of Breastfed Babies
Certain foods, such as caffeine, chocolate and garlic, can promote reflux, so if you breastfeed your infant, you should consider cutting these foods out of your diet. - Burp Your Infant
Burping your infant several times during the feeding will help minimize gastric pressure and the reflux it can cause. Waiting to burp your infant until after she has a full stomach can increase the chances of regurgitation. - Modify Nighttime Sleeping Position
As noted above, position your infant on his back, and elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees. Gravity will help keep the stomach contents where they belong. - Infant Seats and Car Seats
The way your infant is positioned in the car seat can cause regurgitation to increase. If your infant slouches over, it causes abdominal compression, increasing the risk of reflux. Using simple supports to keep the infant upright will prevent this. - Try Acid Blockers:
The doctor may prescribe acid blockers, also known as H2 blockers, which block acid production in the stomach. These include Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac and Axid. - Try Acid Suppressors:
The doctor may prescribe acid suppressors, also known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), which can completely block acid production in the stomach. Prilosec and Prevacid have been approved for children older than certain ages.
Tips:
- Learn the symptoms of acid reflux in infants.
- Learn how acid reflux is diagnosed in infants.
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Sources:
"Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children and Adolescents." NIH Publication No. 06–5418 August 2006. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 29 Dec 2008.
"Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)." NIH Publication No. 07–0882 May 2007. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). 18 Mar 2008.
Marsha Kay, M.D., Vasundhara Tolia, M.D.. "COMMON GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS." American College of Gastroenterology. 18 Mar 2008.
