10 Ways to Soothe Your Baby’s Reflux

Find out how to know whether or not your baby has acid reflux and how to relieve it.

Many babies deal with some level of acid reflux in their infancy. It is only natural, as babies’ sphincter in their esophagus is not fully developed.

Most babies spit up sometimes without it being anything serious. Some even spit up after most feeds but are completely unbothered by it. These babies are often referred to as ‘happy spitters’.

However, if your baby is constantly forcefully spitting up, they may be dealing with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It’s always important to follow your intuition as a parent. If you think your baby is dealing with something more than just some happy spitting, try out these simple tips and talk to your doctor or pediatrician.

GERD can be a more serious issue than simply spitting up after some feeds. It can be very uncomfortable for babies.

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What Is Acid Reflux in Babies?

Acid reflux is basically heartburn. A baby’s sphincter in their esophagus is not completely developed, causing food to come back up. With food comes stomach acid, causing burning.

Obviously in some situations this can be extremely uncomfortable! Some babies experience more discomfort than others and frequently spit up during and after feeds, which can be painful.

Signs Your Baby Has Acid Reflux

If your baby is simply spitting up sometimes or even often but is gaining weight and is not uncomfortable in any way, it is most likely nothing to worry too much about even if it is a bit of reflux.

However, there are a few signs your baby most likely has GERD and you should use the remedies listed below as well as talk to your doctor. Look out for these following signs:

• Spitting up or vomiting after every feed
• Irritability during and/or after feeds
• Refusing to eat
• Stomach pains, possibly a hard stomach
• Abnormal back arching
• Screams when put down on their back
• Constantly irritable or crying
• Poor weight gain or weight loss

Reasons Your Baby May Have Acid Reflux

The main reason for any sort of reflux is the underdevelopment of the sphincter, but there could be some other possible reasons.

Fast Milk Flow

Some moms have a very strong milk letdown during breastfeeding. This can mean that the baby is getting a lot of milk at once, and gulping faster and more often, causing them to take in more air as well.

This can cause a lot of gas and can cause some of the milk to come back up. When it comes back up it brings stomach acid with it.

Inhaling Too Much Air Through Bottles

For the same reason a fast letdown may cause gas and reflux, a fast flow bottle may do the same. Slower flow bottles are best for young babies, so the milk or formula is paced as the eat.

Diet for Breastfed Babies

Unfortunately, some babies react to certain foods in a mother’s diet while breastfeeding. Some of these foods can include:

• Milk and other dairy products
• Broccoli and other gas-causing vegetables
• Spicy foods
• Caffeine

Not all babies react to these things but it is definitely worth an elimination diet if you think food may be the cause.

In formula fed babies, if dairy is an issue, a formula switch would be necessary to a goats milk or soy based formula. These formulas are easier to digest.

Acid Reflux Remedies

In many situations, a simple change can make a world of difference for babies. Any of these suggestions are worth a shot!

Diet change for breastfeeding moms

For breastfeeding moms, a diet change may be necessary if your baby is reacting to something in your milk. This is a trial and error sort of situation, so you it would take time and trying different foods.

It should not take too long for you to notice the difference in your baby, anywhere from a few days to a week or two. Most doctors will recommend you try eliminating one food for about two weeks before you decide whether it is working or not and move onto something else.

This is not necessarily the case for all reflux babies, but definitely worth a try!

Formula change

In the same way that breastfeeding moms may by eating something that is bothering their baby, there may be something in your baby’s formula that your baby is reacting to.

Usually this would be dairy, so you would need to switch to a goats milk formula or soy based formula.

In some situations, simply switching from breastfeeding to formula feeding may make a difference. Formula has a thickener in it that helps babies digest formula a bit easier.

Fortunately there are many different formulas to try out.

Smaller more frequent feeds

Giving your baby smaller and more frequent feeds can help them digest their food faster and help them keep it down easier.

Slower flow bottles

Slow flow bottles mimic a baby feeding at the breast. They give your baby more time to digest their food and ensure they do not get too much milk or formula before they realize they are full.

Different breastfeeding positions

Some mothers, when breastfeeding, have a very strong letdown or fast milk flow. Different nursing positions can really help with this.

A laid back breastfeeding position can let gravity keep your milk from flowing too fast. Some positions that keep your baby upright can help them keep the milk down easier.

Keeping your baby raised during bottle feeds can also help. Talk to a lactation consultant if you feel it is necessary!

Lots of burping

Some babies simply are getting too much air during feeds, either because of fast flow or improper latch. Pausing during feeds and burping more often can help them get rid of that excess air.

Check for latch issues or mouth ties

If your baby is getting too much air causing a lot of gas and reflux, it could be due to a bad latch. Talking to a lactation consultant can help you figure out how to get a better latch.

Sometimes a bad latch may be due to a tongue or lip tie. You can have your doctor or pediatrician check for these. Fixing the tie may help with serious feeding issues.

Hold baby upright after feeds

Holding your baby in an upright position for at least 20-30 minutes after feeds is a great way to help them keep milk down and digest their food.

Try taking them for a walk around the house while doing some burping, while you are holding them up.

Gas drops, colic drops or a baby probiotic

There are lots of different gas drops out there for babies. I recommend getting one without alcohol in it. Your doctor or pediatrician may have suggestions as well.

Something that really helped with my babies were probiotic drops. They act like any probiotic, but are usually in a little dropper and are liquid, so it is easier to give babies.

Medication

If this is a serious case, your baby is not gaining or is losing weight, or is in constant pain, you can also talk to your doctor about medication.

There are reflux medications for babies with serious issues that you can always try if you and your doctor feel it is right for your baby.

Good News

The good news is most babies grow out of reflux. The sphincter is generally more developed at around one year of age for most babies.

Having a baby with reflux can be heartbreaking and very difficult for the baby and parents, but you are not alone! You have options. You know your baby best, so never second guess your instinct. If you think something is wrong, give these a try!

This is how you would know if your baby has reflux and what to do about acid reflux in babies.