How to help baby reflux
Ah reflux. You handled all that morning sickness when you were pregnant, bossed childbirth like a pro and now after welcoming your little bundle of joy, you’re dodging projectile vomit several times a day. What’s more, you’re constantly worrying if your child is drinking enough as what goes down seems to come up again pretty quickly and constantly googling how to help baby reflux.
My firstborn had very bad reflux, while my second child sailed through feeding – often downing milk lying on her back like she was playing a student union drinking game. The sad fact is whether your baby has reflux or GORM (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), it’s completely out of your control. In fact, about half of all newborn babies get reflux.
Here’s my top tips for babies with reflux:
Feed your baby in an upright position – and keep them upright for 30 minutes afterwards. Top tip from experience: change your baby’s nappy before feeding so you don’t feel compelled to lie them down two minutes after they’ve had a big drink.
Try smaller, more regular feeding sessions. This can be so hard to do if you just want them to get milk drunk and have a nice long sleep but it does pay off in the long run!
Take time to burp your baby regularly. I would burp my daughter every fluid ounce on really bad days.
Keep breastfeeding. Breastfed infants often have fewer and shorter episodes of reflux. If, like me, you couldn’t breastfeed, you could…
Change the formula milk. There’s special brands like HIPP anti-reflux milk. You can also try changing the bottles you’re using: I got on a lot better with NUK bottles.
When preparing the formula milk, swirl, don’t shake. Circular motions are much better so bubbles don’t form in the bottle to make your baby gassy. You can also use a knife to stir.
Add rice cereal to your baby’s bottle of formula or breastmilk. Check with the doctor or read the instructions carefully about how much to add. If the mixture is too thick, you can change the nipple size on the bottle.
Give skin to skin afterwards. It helps your baby settle after a feed.
Make sure your baby sleeps on their back. Babies who sleep at an incline like in a car seat or carrier have been shown to have more reflux (as well as an increased risk of SIDS).
Seek medical help from a doctor, midwife or health visitor if you are concerned. Babies need to feed to gain weight so don’t delay seeking professional advice on how to help baby reflux.
