Elevate Baby While Sleeping
There are a number of devices to help keep your baby safely elevated while sleeping. Bouncy seats, swings, reclining bassinets and crib wedges are the most common. Dont forget that your baby can also sleep in the stroller, car seat and baby carrier. For any sleeping arrangement, it is essential you are aware of proper positioning so you do not put your child at risk of suffocation.
Symptoms And Remedies For Silent Reflux In Babies
The signs of silent reflux in babies aren’t always obvious. Here’s how to tell if your baby is silently sufferingand how to make her feel better.
Jodi Di MennaMay 1, 2018
Any parent whose newborn has suffered from reflux knows the helplessness of trying to comfort an infant who hurts after each feeding. Babies with reflux may be irritable, spit up or refuse to eat. They arch their bodies during or after feedings, or cry when placed on their backs, especially if they just ate. But sometimes the most obvious symptoms dont show upthis is known as silent reflux. Regular reflux occurs when food and digestive acid leaks up from the stomach, causing painful irritation in the esophagus. But silent reflux in babies might not spit up at all, swallowing the regurgitated liquid instead. Some babies with regular reflux lose weight, but babies with silent reflux can gain weight normally, despite being in pain.
Causes Of Silent Reflux
It is known that silent reflux is common in babies because they have an underdeveloped esophageal sphincter muscle at birth. The esophageal sphincter is muscles that open and close at each end and allow how much food and liquids are passed.
As babies grow, these esophageal sphincter muscles become more developed, which means coordination will be improved. The rate at which contents are passed will also be reduced, and the chances of getting silent reflux are also minimized. This is one of the reasons why silent reflux in older babies is minimal.
Babies always lie on their backs. This could be another factor that triggers silent reflux because the baby wont be able to keep food in the stomach. A baby whose diet is based on 90% liquid also has a chance of having silent reflux because fluid tends to trigger reflux more than solid foods.
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Treating Gord With Medications
If your baby has reflux, but not GORD, there are no medications that can help.
Babies with GORD are sometimes given medications to help reduce stomach acid. There are 2 types of these medications:
- Proton Pump Inhibitors
- H2 Receptor Antagonists .
As with any medication, there are potential risks and side effects for babies. Discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor or nurse.
What Is The Commonest Reflux In Neonates
Basic reflux in neonates, also known as GER, is a common occurrence that affects most people at some point in their lives. This is the back flow of stomach juices. It usually results in a baby spitting up. This can happen to breastfed or formula-fed babies and isnt a major issue. If a newborn has regular GER, he will not exhibit any other peculiar symptoms. Unusual gastrointestinal symptoms could be a sign of something more serious.
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A Guide To Reflux In Babies
If you have a baby, then youre probably already well aware of the fact that all babies spit up . For most babies, this is completely normal and is not a cause for alarm. But for some, its a little more complicated than that. Find out if your baby is just a happy spitter or if it could be something more.
Thicken Breast Milk Or Formula
With your pediatricians approval, adding a small amount of infant rice cereal to formula or breast milk may be an option to lessen spitting up.
Thickening the food is thought to help stop stomach contents from sloshing up into the esophagus. This option has not been shown to decrease other reflux symptoms. Check with your doctor before trying this option.
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Natural Remedies For Acid Reflux In Babies
If your baby is showing signs of reflux, consider these natural remedies for the digestive problem.
Breastfeed, if possible.Breastfeeding is best for a baby with reflux, since littles ones digest milk twice as fast as formula. If breastfeeding isn’t possible, talk to your doctor about which formula is best for your baby. Sometimes switching to a hypoallergenic or lactose-free option can help relieve symptoms.
Keep Baby upright after feeding. Keeping your baby in a sitting position during feedingsand for at least 20 minutes afterwardcan prevent food from traveling upward into the esophagus.
Give frequent but small feedings. This will be easier on Baby’s stomach and also decrease reflux because there is less to regurgitate. Some babies with reflux naturally prefer to eat this way others get cranky if they don’t get their full feeding right away. After a few days, though, your baby should adjust to this new schedule, so try to stick with it.
Burp often. You might want to stop feeding every two to three ounces to burp Baby. Burping will release gas and relieve the symptoms of reflux.
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My Experience With Infant Reflux
Soon after our daughter Paloma was born, I could tell she wasnt comfortable. She always had a reddish hue to her skin and she was very stiff. Every time I tried to bend her legs or arms, she would fight me. She never spit up, so I didnt think it was baby reflux, but she was gassy and got hiccups a lot.
Since I was nursing, I gave up dairy in hopes that it would help. I also noticed that she liked sitting up and even sleeping in reclining chairs versus flat on her back. But it wasnt until I happened to smell her breath, that I suspected reflux in babies. It was sour. huge red flag.
I tried all of the natural remedies list above, but Nat Phos was like a miracle worker for my daughter. We stopped all the natural remedies for baby reflux when Paloma was about 4 months old and never looked back. She now has the digestion of an ox and can drink pasteurized milk and any other food with no discomfort. YAY!
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Signs That Your Baby Has Acid Reflux
One major sign of acid reflux is fussiness.
Those babies will cry and fuss and be really uncomfortable especially around feeding times, which in most normal infants, is anywhere from 8 to 10 times in a 24 hour period, Fisher says. So, these babies are pretty consistently fussy.
You might also notice wet burps and hiccups, or your baby might be having trouble eating or swallowing.
Why Do Babies Have Acid Reflux
Babies often experience acid reflux because their lower esophageal sphincter isnt fully developed.
The esophageal sphincter is the muscle that separates your stomach from your esophagus so that food and stomach acid doesnt back up from the stomach into the back of your throat.
However, a babys esophageal sphincter is weak and under-developed, which makes it easier for food to come back up and cause acid reflux, as a result.
Sometimes the babies overeat, and if they overeat, their food can come back up, says Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP, pediatrician and Vice Chair of Pediatrics at Providence Saint Johns Health Center. Then over the first few months of life, that tone tends to tighten up and they tend to spit up less.
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How To Stop Silent Reflux In Babies 2021 Guide 10 Natural Remedies
Raising a baby is always tricky. Part of the difficulty is determining when the baby is sick or not. Somehow, as a mother, you can tell if something is wrong with the baby or not. But what if you are not entirely sure of what is wrong with him/her or you misdiagnose his illness for another?
Sometimes, your baby is finding it difficult to sleep, finding it difficult to breastfeed, and when he is overfed, he throws up. Thats reflux at work. In this article, we shall be discussing what reflux is and silent reflux baby natural remedies.
Silent reflux is a type of reflux where stomach contents flow backward into the nasal passages, voice box or throat. The stomach contents dont get expelled from the mouth it stays in the stomach and flows back to the back of the throat where it causes the baby distress. Hence, the reason why it is called silent.
Silent reflux creates a burning sensation around the throat area. Since food contents are in the stomach, the food mixes with the acid produced by the stomach and flows back to the throat. When this acid comes in contact with the throat, voice box, or nasal passages, it irritates them, and the baby will always feel like something is obstructing his throat. Hence, the frequent clearing.
However, Its more noticeable in older babies because they may describe how lumpy their throats is and how bitter their mouths taste. One thing silent reflux doesnt cause is heartburn or indigestion as they are symptoms of acid reflux.
Gerd Symptoms In Babies
Symptoms of newborn acid reflux usually first show up between weeks 2 and 4. They tend to peak around 4 months and begin to subside around 7 months, when baby begins to sit upright and take more solid foods.
Common GERD symptoms include:
- Frequent spitting up or vomiting
- Irritation of the esophagus
- A gurgling, congested or wheezing sound during feedings
- Excessive drooling
- Sudden or inconsolable crying
- More than the usual fussiness
- Arching of the back during feeding
- Erratic feeding patterns
- Poor sleep
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Baby Reflux Signs And Symptoms
Many of the common signs of baby reflux can also be signs that a baby is distressed for any number of reasons for example, theyre hungry, need a cuddle or theyre cold. So its good to remember that while there are some recognisable signs of baby reflux, this isnt necessarily a disease that needs medicated. Nonetheless, signs can include:
- A baby arching their back and turning their head.
- Crying for long periods and becoming irritable during and after feeds.
- Choking or coughing during a feed or seeming to have a sore throat.
- Spitting up milk during or after feeds several times a day, which upsets them.
- Persistent hiccups.
- Fighting feeding or refusing to feed.
- Poor weight gain.
- Waking very frequently at night.
- Signs of pain or discomfort when feeding.
What Causes Infant Reflux
First, lets ground ourselves in this truthall babies have some level of reflux. This is because their entire digestive tract is immature. The sphincter muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach is often undeveloped and opens regularly, allowing stomach acid to flow back up the throat, causing burning and pain.
As babys brain and nervous system develops, they their vagus nerve function may be weak. It also doesnt help that we often put babies on their back, whether for play or sleep, and this can only exacerbate symptoms. For some children, infant reflux will be more severe or they may be more sensitive to the effects.
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Home Remedies To Treat Acid Reflux In Babies
Apart from the mainstream medical prescriptions, such as Antacids, Histamines or Proton-Pump Inhibitors to decrease or neutralize the acid percentage in infants, there are several natural remedies to treat acid reflux in babies which parents can try at home.
1. Lifestyle Changes
Raise the babys head with pillows or the head of the crib or bassinet. After feeding, hold your baby upright for 30 minutes. You can also change your infants feeding schedule as this may taper the bile formation in the stomach. If your doctor allows, try feeding your baby solid foods such as cereals.
Keep your older baby upright for two hours after shes eaten. Instead of big meals, serve your child small but several meals. Also, check on the food that she eats which worsens her acid reflux.
2. Work Out and Regular Exercises
Exercises improve digestion which helps reduce acid reflux. Activities that fight gas and bloating can be done 30 minutes after feeding. Some of the best options include
- Bicycling or Knee Push-Ups
- Lay your infant on the back
- Lift the legs and bent them from the knee
- Gently move the legs in a circular motion as if she was riding a cycle
- Ten repeats, several times a day
3. Massage Therapy
Regular massages improve the digestive system and respiratory tract. It also builds stronger bones and muscles and promotes mobility in the body
4. Coconut Oil in Diet
5. Diet for Nursing Moms
6. Swaddling
7. Fennel
You can also add roasted and powdered fennel seeds in baby food
Treatment For Reflux And Crying In Babies
Having a baby with reflux or who cries a lot can be challenging and worrying. Although there are no medications available, these strategies may help:
- Remember, if your baby is vomiting but is otherwise happy and growing well, there is no need to worry.
- Keeping your baby upright for 10 minutes after a feed may help.
- Use a diary to take note of how often your baby is crying and vomiting and when it is happening. That way you can keep an eye out for any changes and discuss any concerns with your doctor.
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Do Not Elevate The Head While Sleeping
Do not elevate your baby’s head when asleep to treat reflux. This is sometimes called positional management.
Positional management is elevating the head of their cot or using pillows under the baby’s mattress, sleep positioners and baby pillows.
Place your baby on their back to sleep. Follow advice on safe sleep to reduce the risk of cot death.
How Does Acid Reflux Look In Newborns
I remember very mild symptoms with my third baby Latreia. After feeding she would have a crying session. This fortunately lasted for a short time with some simple skills I will teach you.
Acid reflux has several types of symptoms which may include:
- Gassy and/or foamy bowel movements
- Colicky, unhappy or seemingly uncomfortable in body
- Wheezing, apnea or breathing difficulties
- Sour breath, burps and hiccups
- Throwing up, usually projectile vomiting
- Failure to gain weight
- Resistance to laying on back
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Dont Overfeed Your Baby
Give your baby a smaller quantity of food frequently and not so much at once. For example, if you are giving the baby 2.2 ounces of Similac Sensitive Infant Formula every four hours, you should change it by providing the baby 1.1 ounces every two hours. When you feed your baby like this, you are reducing the chances of him/her getting silent reflux.