If you have a breastfed baby who spits up, you might wonder whether acid reflux is to blame. Generally speaking, spitting up is normal baby behavior, and true acid reflux is quite rare. Regardless, if your baby has acid reflux, there's no indication that flaxseed oil will help decrease symptoms.
Acid Reflux
A baby's gastrointestinal tract is very immature, and the cardiac sphincter -- a circular ring of muscle that helps to keep the stomach contents from backing up into the esophagus -- doesn't have much tone yet. This means that it's common for infants to "spit up," an event in which a small amount of milk comes back up after a feeding. Spitting up isn't the same as acid reflux, but some babies who spit up do have acid reflux; your pediatrician can help you determine whether your baby is affected.
Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil is made from the seed of the flax plant, and is a healthy source of plant-based fat. While it's a great addition to baked goods, cereals and other foods as a dietary supplement, it won't help prevent acid reflux in your breastfed baby. In fact, if your baby is less than 6 months old, you shouldn't be giving any food other than breast milk or formula, unless your pediatrician specifically directs you to do so.
Uses of Flaxseed Oil
If you have a baby over 6 months of age, you may wish to give flaxseed oil occasionally as a dietary supplement, despite the fact that it won't help with acid reflux. Most infants outgrow acid reflux eventually, anyhow, and few continue to be affected beyond 6 months of age. Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician, explains that flaxseed oil is a rich source of healthy fat, and can be used as a dietary supplement in babies who are eating solids.
Acid Reflux Treatment
If your baby has severe acid reflux, you'll need to talk to your pediatrician for suggestions on how to treat it. Mild acid reflux, however, benefits from positioning your baby carefully during and after breastfeeding. Feed your baby in as upright a position as possible, notes Dr. Sears. You may also want to keep your baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding to help keep the milk -- and the stomach acid -- in the stomach, notes Dr. Scott Cohen in his book "Eat, Sleep, Poop."
References
- Parenting: Flaxseed Oil
- Parenting: Positions for Breastfeeding
- "Eat, Sleep, Poop"; Scott Cohen, M.D.; 2010
