How To Use Natural Remedies to Treat Acid Reflux in Infants
Acid reflux or Gastro Esophageal Reflux (GER) is an ailment wherein the acid in the stomach and the food ingested goes back up the throat and comes out of the mouth, usually by spitting out or vomiting.
The lower esophageal sphincter is a group of muscles located in the esophagus to let food and air enter the digestive system.
The LES opens to let out air after you eat, which is commonly known as burping. Sometimes, not only gas escapes from the esophagus, but some of the food recently eaten as well.
Adults and children alike suffer from this condition. Even infants can suffer from acid reflux. Since infants’ digestive systems are not yet fully developed, they tendencies to throw up their meal right after.
There are medications to give your child if she suffers from this condition, but natural remedies are safer and you will feel more at ease because no chemicals will get into your baby’s body. Read on to learn how to utilize natural remedies for your baby’s acid reflux.
Know the signs and symptoms of acid reflux
Some of these are irritability, constant crying, milk being spit out right after feeding, always wakes up in the middle of the night, coughing and difficulty swallowing.
Remember that acid reflux id normal in infants up to three months of age, and it goes away as the baby grows.
Thicken your baby’s milk
If you are feeding her formula milk, try mixing it with a little infant cereal. Thicker milk will stay longer in the stomach to be digested properly. You can also use your breast milk to be mixed with the formula.
Soothe your baby
Block out any unnecessary noise in the house because it only adds to her stress levels and aggravates her condition. Play soothing music in the background while you try to top her crying. Whisper into her ears and appease her.
Feed her lesser but more often
Lesser food between meals makes digestion easier. Frequent feeding will supplement the subtraction of food each meal.
Keep her upright after feeding
Right after her meal; change her position to an upright one to keep her food down. Let her burp and hold her upright for at least 20 to 30 minutes more before putting her down.
Keep her still
When you put her down, make sure her seat or crib does not rock, or it will agitate her acid reflux further. You must have a stationary seat for her in cases like this. Although generally, babies like to be rocked all the time, acid reflux prevents them from
When dealing with your child’s acid reflux, you must be careful in carrying her so as not to aggravate her condition. Do not rock her back and forth when she is crying of discomfort from the acid reflux because it will make her throw up more.
If these natural remedies do not get rid of your baby’s acid reflux, then you have to take her to the doctor immediately to be given proper medical attention.