Many babies suffer from feeding problems at one time or another. Pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears states on Parenting.com that about 25 percent of all babies suffer from acid reflux. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains that reflux occurs when food backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing pain. Parents can use remedies at home to help reduce their babies' acid reflux.
Change Baby's Position
One of the simplest changes that will remedy acid reflux is changing the baby's position during feeding. Dr. Sears explains that keeping a baby upright during and after a feeding can help to reduce reflux significantly. This is because gravity keeps food down in the stomach when a baby is sitting upright. Dr. Sears recommends keeping babies upright for 30 minutes after every feeding.
Add Rice Cereal to the Bottle
Adding baby rice cereal to the bottle can also help formula-fed babies who have acid reflux. Though it is not recommended for all babies because of choking concerns, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that babies with severe reflux may experience fewer symptoms if their parents mix up to 1 tbsp. of rice cereal with every 2 oz. of baby formula in the bottle. This helps to keep the formula down easier.
Give Breast Milk or a Different Formula
Dr. Sears states that breast milk is easier to digest than formula, so it tends to reduce symptoms associated with acid reflux. The enzymes in breast milk also improve digestion. Dr. Sears recommends that women who are breastfeeding babies with acid reflux continue without using any formula. Women who use both breast milk and formula should try to give more breast milk than formula, because the breast milk is easier on the baby's stomach. If a woman is using only formula, she may want to switch to a special hypoallergenic type to reduce reflux.
Burp the Baby More Often
Another at home remedy for acid reflux in babies is as simple as burping the baby more frequently. Burping the baby puts him upright and allows extra air to come out of the stomach as the formula or breast milk stays down. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends burping breastfed babies after each side or burping formula-fed babies after every 1 or 2 oz. of formula.
