Acid Reflux in Babies: Help in Keeping Your Baby Protected
Acid reflux in babies can be a frequent problem. Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux. Babies who suffer with this complaint can go from mild to severe conditions such as spitting up, abdominal pain and waking in the night.
Understanding of the physiological or the mechanical aspect of the condition would offer a more comprehensive discussion.
The body has a band of muscle in a circular structure that is called the lower esophageal sphincter.This muscle detaches the esophagus from the stomach. When food comes into the stomach, it closes so as to prevent the stomach acids and contents from backing up into the esophagus or regurgitating.
Because in some babies the lower esophageal sphincter is immature, some partially digested foods and digestive acids are allowed to be refluxed. The condition irrates the esophageal lining resulting in inflammation which is commonly known as hearturn.
Between two to four weeks old is when babies usually develops acid reflux. Medicines prescribed by doctors should minimize the production of digestive acids. Around the six to nine month age babies will be spending a lot of their time in the upright postion. Therefore food taken in, should stay down so acid reflux naturally starts to subside reducing possible regurgitation.
These pointers on feeding and positioning of babies may be helpful to lessen acid reflux in babies:
Feeding baby more often but with less the amount they are accustomed to, makes sense.The less the volume of milk going into the stomach, the quicker the digestion and there will be less available for regurgitation.
Keep baby in the upright position after each feed. Gravity helps keep the digestive contents down.Position baby seated in your lap and rest their head on your chest. Keeping this position for at least half an hour after feeding.
Breast feeding helps alot. Breast milk is well known to have many advantages over formula, mainly for babies with acid reflux. The special enzymes that assist in digestion will lessen the spitting up. Breast milk is digested faster also it does not trigger allergy to babies, compared to other milks available. For those who are formula feeding, hypoallergenic formula is available but should only be used if advised by a doctor. It has a higher tolerance with sensitive intestines and can also be digested faster by the stomach so as to minimize refluxes.
Since its natural to lie baby flat when sleeping, like this, gravity cannot help in keeping the food down. As a result, a baby with acid reflux often endures a restless, broken nights sleep but if baby sleeps soundly in this position there is no need to change it. However, if they become restless, have abdominal pain, acid breath or wet burps, elevating the babies crib to about 30 degrees may be enough to reduce regurgitation. Trying to train baby to sleep on their left hand side may also be beneficial. In this position the inlet of the stomach is higher than the exit.
This also will help in keeping food down and reducing acid reflux in babies.
