Infant acid reflux occurs in more than half of all babies, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. If you have observed your baby spitting up forcefully, being irritable during or immediately following a feeding--or even resisting feedings--these could all be signs of acid reflux. While many babies suffering from this condition can still be happy and healthy, it's important to provide short-term relief for baby's upset stomach.
Rice Cereal
Acid reflux can occur or be more pronounced when a baby eats her food too fast. In order to slow down the feeding, slow down the flow of fluid through baby's bottle. This can be accomplished by adding a small amount of rice cereal--enough to thicken the milk mixture--to your baby's formula or your pumped breast milk, according to the Mayo Clinic. The Clinic also recommends enlarging the nipple's hole on the bottle so your child will still be able to take in the thicker solution.
Food Avoidance
According to ColicCalm.org, a number of foods the mother eats can in turn aggravate an infant's acid reflux. Refrain from eating foods known to cause acid reflux, including dairy products, which are linked with increased food sensitivity and allergies, as well as tomatoes, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, processed foods and foods high in fat.
If you are using a formula or a combination of breast milk and formula, ask your physician if you should switch to a different formula in order to reduce acid reflux occurrences.
Medications
If more conservative treatments are not effective, medications known as H-2 blockers may be helpful in reducing acid reflux. These include infant dosages of cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine (Zantac), according to the Mayo Clinic. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, these medications work by keeping acid from moving back up the esophagus. Other medication options include proton-pump inhibitors, also known as PPIs, which are used to prevent stomach acid from being produced. Examples of these medications include esomeprazole (Nexium) and lansoprazole (Prevacid). However, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse indicates that most children will outgrow the condition and should not require medication.
