Infant reflux: Natural remedies should be tried before medical ones
August 18th, 2010 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
All babies spit up on occasion. It usually occurs because the sphincter at the top of the stomach is often loose, causing babies to spit milk out of their mouths or noses. In otherwise healthy babies who are growing well, the contents of this spit up is mostly milk and parents shouldn’t worry. But for some babies, the spit up contains stomach acid, which can make the lining of the baby’s esophagus tender, red and swollen. This reflux of acid can also be inhaled into the lungs, irritating the sensitive linings. These babies may respond to the bottle or breast by arching their backs in pain. They may not gain weight or might cry from the discomfort. Some can develop a chronic cough, wheeze, have a hoarse voice, or even develop pneumonia. Some may stop breathing, a condition known as apnea, to protect their lungs from inhaled acid.
Drugs are available to curb the symptoms of acid reflux, even for the youngest infants. But they should be a last resort. Some of the medications routinely given to infants, such as Reglan (metoclopramide) can have serious side effects. Reglan has been associated with a number of drug interactions and can and may increase the risk of seizures in people who have seizures.
The first remedies to try should be natural ones. For example, finding relief for your little one may be as simple as changing the way your baby is fed. Decreasing volume and increasing the frequency of feedings can sometime remedy the problem. Bottle-fed babies can sometimes be given milk or formula thickened with a small amount rice cereal. Food allergies may also be the cause of reflux. The most common culprits are milk and soy proteins in formulas. Breast-feeding mothers should also take note of the foods they consume, as cow’s milk, soy, egg, and peanuts can cause their baby to experience reflux.
Because babies can’t adjust their position, parents should sit them upright when feeding and keep them upright after feeding. Placing a wedge – available at baby supply stores – under the baby’s mattress where the head goes also helps milk follow gravity and prevent reflux.