Acid reflux in infants is fairly common since their digestive system and the muscles that stop the backup of their meals are both still developing. By about 12 to 18 months of age, most infants will have successfully outgrown the condition, reports MayoClinic.com. In the meantime, some dietary changes can help alleviate the symptoms associated with infant acid reflux and make your baby more comfortable. If your baby is still breastfeeding, you may have to make changes to your own eating habits to help him feel better. Symptoms include spitting up, refusal to eat and crying after a meal.
Step 1
Change your baby's formula. For bottle-fed infants who suffer from acid reflux, a change to a specially formulated formula may provide relief. Many formula manufacturer's have products designed for this purpose, but always discuss a switch in foods with your baby's pediatrician to be sure all the baby's nutrients will be met.
Step 2
Cut out trigger foods from your diet if you are breastfeeding. Keep a journal of what foods you eat and what reaction they cause your baby in terms of acid reflux discomfort. Once you notice what foods are exacerbating his condition you can cut them out of your diet. Common triggers include caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, fried and fatty foods and acidic foods, like oranges, lemons and tomatoes.
Step 3
Determine what foods are causing her symptoms. For infants who have begun to eat solid foods, you may have to cut some of them out to help reduce her reflux. Again, keeping a log of the foods she eats and symptoms can help you determine which ones to eliminate. Trigger foods are the same ones that breastfeeding mothers should skip. In addition, baby foods that contain pineapple can cause a flare-up of acid reflux. Common food allergens, like nuts, eggs and soy, can also result in reflux.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are still concerned about your baby's reflux even after making diet changes, talk with his pediatrician about trying medications to help with the condition. Zantac, Prevacid and Prilosec are ones that are often prescribed and can be given in age-appropriate amounts. Burp your baby often during meals. Keep him upright after eating for at least 30 minutes, and feed him smaller amounts more often to help alleviate the discomfort associated with acid reflux and reduce the severity of his symptoms. If your baby has reflux and is not gaining weight, make sure you talk with his doctor to be sure he is getting adequate nutrients for healthy growth and development.
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