Caring for Babies Who Have Gastric Acid Reflux (GERD)

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Medical Video: Pediatric Advice : How Do I Treat Infant Reflux?

Do you often wake up in the middle of the night trying to calm your crying baby? Does your baby not eat well and continue to spit? This is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), aka gastric acid reflux. GERD occurs when food and milk overflow and return to the esophagus. There is a muscle that is open to the stomach which is usually closed to keep milk and food in the stomach before emptying it into the small intestine. When this muscle opens and closes at the wrong time, stomach acid content causes irritation because it flows back into the esophagus, causing pain.

As a new parent, it must be stressful to see your baby in pain and not know how to calm him. We can help you with a few tips to help your baby's comfort.

Place the baby in an upright position

After you feed the baby, you must make sure the baby is upright for at least 30 minutes. This will help gravity pull food and milk down and prevent GERD. Avoid putting your baby to sleep on his back. Your baby needs time to digest. Laying flat will make it difficult for food or empty milk from the stomach.

Another suggestion is to change your baby's diaper before breastfeeding. The reason is to avoid your baby lying down like lifting your leg during diaper changes. This can make all food and milk return to the esophagus.

Avoid overfeeding

It may be difficult to know when to stop breastfeeding your baby. If he keeps vomiting, stop breastfeeding your baby. This is a sign that there is too much food or milk in the stomach. You have to wait until the next meal. You can try giving your baby a clean finger to make the act of swallowing. This can help your baby's stomach to settle and continue to digest food in the stomach.

Avoid swinging your baby

It may be very nice to swing your baby while playing. Make sure you don't do it after breastfeeding. Remember food or milk is still digested in the baby's stomach. Food in the baby's stomach can easily spill back. This also causes a lot of discomfort to the baby. You also have to remind your family and friends when they are visiting.

Avoid tight clothing

Tight baby leggings may be funny but you don't wear them to your baby when you want to breastfeed. If your baby has GERD, give him loose clothes. Anything that is tight like a pants with a tight elastic waist will limit the stomach from digesting food and milk.

Make your baby belch

You can relieve and prevent GERD in infants if babies often burp. Burp after every 30 ml to 60 ml bottle of baby feeding and after completing breast milk. There are many ways to make your baby belch. Here are three general methods that can help:

  • Sit up straight and hold the baby facing your chest. The baby's chin rests on your shoulder with one hand holding it back. Use your other hand to gently pat your baby's back. Slowly shake your baby back and forth.
  • Hold your baby to sit on your lap. Use one hand to hold the baby's chest and head with the baby's chin tilted in the palm of your hand. Use your other hand to gently pat your baby's back.
  • Lay your baby down, belly down, on your lap. Hold your baby's head and make sure it is higher than the chest. Then pat your baby's back gently.

GERD can make your baby cry and be uncomfortable. Babies cannot speak, but can show signs and symptoms of GERD. Listen to your baby by noticing these signs. These tips can help prevent your baby from suffering from GERD.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Caring for Babies Who Have Gastric Acid Reflux (GERD)
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