Infant Reflux and How You Can Help
Infants can cry for many reasons, hunger, thirst, a loud disturbance or discomfort due to a variety of things. Often times reflux can be the reason for discomfort. This month’s newsletter will discuss infant reflux, what symptoms to look for, and what you can do as a parent to help.
Defining Reflux
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) occurs when the stomach contents flow into the esophagus during or after a meal. This happens in infants due to a weak lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which normally prevents passage. According to the Mayo Clinic and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, more than half of all babies experience reflux in the first few months, however, only a small percentage of cases lead to more serious medical problems and the diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Desease (GERD).
What are the symptoms of GER and GERD?
An infant with GER may experience several symptoms. They include:
• Spitting up or vomiting
• Coughing
• Poor feeding habits or discomfort with feeding
• Irritability
Symptoms that could signify a more serious problem or GERD include:
• Poor growth or little weight gain
• Spitting up more than 2 tablespoons of fluid at a time
• Having fewer wet diapers or appearing lethargic
• Blood loss from acid burning the esophagus
• Signs of illness including fever, diarrhea or difficulty breathing
Fortunately, GERD is far less common; approximately 1 in 300 infants receive this diagnosis. GERD usually necessitates some degree of medical management. If your baby experiences any of the symptoms above, consult a physician.
What can you do to help?
There are several things you can do to reduce the likelihood of reflux occurring. Try the following and see if they help.
o Smaller more frequent feedings – This makes it easier to digest as reflux tends to be worse when overfeeding occurs.
o More frequent burping – This will help them digest more comfortably.
o Be sure to note the foods mom is eating – If breastfeeding, some foods may aggravate reflux more than others. Foods such as tomatoes, citrus, dairy or carbonated beverages may make your baby’s reflux worse. Your diet affects your baby’s.
o Positioning – Place in incline position after feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing your infant on a 30 degree incline after feeding. (The CozyMe Wedge is 30 degrees!)
Try the four simple steps above to reduce the instances of reflux. If the problem persists, be sure to tell your pediatrician so your baby stays happy and healthy! To learn more about reflux you can go to www.mayoclinic.com. To take a short reflux quiz go to http://heartburn.about.com/library/quizzes/bl_infantrefluxquiz.htm.
Disclaimer: The information available on this website should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of your child's reflux. Please consult with your child's doctor or pharmacist before trying any medication (prescription or OTC) or following any treatment plan mentioned. This information is provided only to help you be as informed as possible about your child's condition.
Tummy Time – An Essential Activity
Tummy time is an essential activity for overall infant development and muscle strengthening. It is a critical building block for achieving future infant milestones including pushing up, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, walking and even eating. Experts say without the recommended tummy time infants can often face delays in gross motor skill development. So, it is essential to complete the recommended tummy time. And remember, tummy time doesn’t have to be a struggle. These tips should help!
Safety First! – Be certain your baby remains awake during tummy time. If your baby is too tired, place them on their back to rest. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the American Academy of Pediatrics are both supporters of the Back to Sleep campaign and recommend that an infant lie on their back to sleep.
We all need support – Offer support under the arms of your to child by using a support pillow to help prop them up. This will help them pick their heads up, support their upper body and provide extra comfort in the early months.
It is never too early to get started – Position your baby on their tummy for minutes at a time in the early weeks. While holding your baby, lie down on your back with them on your chest. This provides ample tummy time and bonding time with parents, siblings, or relatives. When changing your baby, place them on their tummy for a minute or two. The initial exposure will be a good introduction to tummy time and get your baby used to the position.
Time intervals – Whether your pediatrician recommends 30 minutes or an hour of tummy time a day, split the time into shorter intervals. Your baby will tolerate shorter intervals better and still fulfill the recommended time.
Entertain them – Position yourself in your baby’s line of site and entertain them. Use colorful toys (preferably black, white, and red), different voices, and noises to keep their mind off of tummy time and on you. You could also use a mirror to catch their attention. This will help the time pass while your baby achieves their goals.
Make them work – Give your baby motivation by placing toys just out of their reach. Encourage him or her to reach for the toy. This will also take the infant’s focus off of tummy time, and onto the toy. This grasping helps gross motor skills and hand eye coordination develop.
No quitting – Your baby might not like tummy time and fuss while they are doing it, but don’t give up! Use the tips above to keep them motivated and distracted and in the end, you will have a strong healthy baby!
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