Most infants get acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), sometimes; you're probably familiar with the common symptoms of spitting up and wet burps. In the vast majority of cases, the baby remains otherwise healthy, and according to the National Institutes of Health, "most infants don't need medication and outgrow reflux by 1 or 2 years of age." In the meantime, however, you can greatly reduce, or even eliminate, your baby's reflux.
Step 1
Dress your baby in clothes that aren't tight around his abdomen. A onesie, romper or one-piece pajamas will be more comfortable than pants or shorts with a restrictive waistband.
Step 2
Feed your baby smaller amounts at each feeding, because overeating forces the stomach to work extra hard, which results in reflux more often. Because each feeding consists of less food, you'll also need to increase the number of feedings each day for optimal nutrition.
Step 3
Burp your baby often during feedings to reduce air in his stomach, which can cause discomfort and reflux. If he's on formula, burp him every time he's eaten 1 or 2 oz. If he's breastfeeding, do it when you switch sides.
Step 4
Mix some cereal in your baby's bottle, as long as her doctor says it's OK, because a thickened feeding stays down easier than only liquid. Add as much as 1 tbsp. of rice cereal to each 2 oz. of formula or expressed breastmilk, and mix it well. To feed this mixture from a bottle, enlarge the opening in the nipple by cutting a little X where the hole is.
Step 5
Keep your baby upright for at least 30 minutes after eating, because otherwise gravity may cause the contents of his stomach to back up into his esophagus. Holding him in your arms works well; you may also be able to put him in an infant seat, car seat or infant swing. Be sure he's not slumping forward, which can put pressure on his abdomen. Ensure the safety belt is loose enough not to interfere with his digestion but tight enough that he won't fall out of the seat.
Step 6
Raise the head of your baby's crib if she has problems sleeping or experiences reflux symptoms at night. Putting 6 to 8 inches of wood under the top legs of her crib is the most effective solution, and you can attach a wooden crib to the blocks with wood screws. This won't work well if she sleeps in a bassinet with rockers or wheels. Another solution is a wedge-shaped stabilizer pillow, made for infants with reflux, which you can put under her body. A third choice is to let her sleep in a car seat, inclined infant seat or swing, making sure the belt isn't too tight around her waist.
Step 7
Consult your baby's doctor if none of these remedies works, and ask if food allergies might be the problem. You may need to change formulas, perhaps trying a soy-based one if you've been using dairy. If you're breastfeeding your baby, you might be asked to change your own diet for a couple of weeks. As a last resort, your baby may be prescribed medication, such as an H-2 blocker or proton-pump inhibitor.
Things You'll Need
- Onesie or romper
- Rice cereal
- Baby bottle
- Wood blocks
- Wood screws
- Infant seat, car seat or swing
