Regurgitation

Infant Reflux: What Is It?

Reflux (milk rejection through the mouth) is very common in infants, affecting about two-thirds of babies aged 4 to 5 months. It reflects gastroesophageal reflux, which is the involuntary rise of stomach contents into the baby’s esophagus.

Reflux occurs spontaneously without effort, often during burping or after feeding. This is due to the baby’s liquid diet, as well as changes in position and abdominal pressure.

Reflux should not be confused with vomiting, as the latter is accompanied by muscular or abdominal contractions, which are not present in reflux.

If your baby suffers from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), your doctor or pediatrician will examine them. If the baby tolerates the reflux well, treatment involves implementing some simple lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce the reflux.

Use Anti-Reflux Milk

There is milk with thickened formulas to reduce reflux and regurgitation problems. This pre-thickened milk contains all the components of classic infant milk with starch for a denser formula.

Be cautious, as consuming too much thickened milk can sometimes cause constipation. Note that some brands add fats to the formula to specifically avoid these transit disorders.

Before giving this type of milk, of course, ask your doctor for advice and consult your pharmacist.

Choose the Right Nipple

Don’t forget to use an appropriate, anti-reflux nipple with variable flow rates.

Prepare the Bottle Properly

To avoid reflux, make sure you don’t make any mistakes in preparing the bottles. Carefully read the instructions on the milk container to give the exact amount, or consult your doctor.

Also, avoid forming lumps in the bottle. To do this, shake the bottle well after mixing it with the milk powder.

Feed the Bottle Properly

Additionally, don’t give the baby too much milk at once, as too much can come out just as quickly! Prefer smaller, more frequent meals.

If you are breastfeeding, take breaks during feeding to allow your baby to burp. This helps evacuate air, which causes stomach bloating and promotes reflux and regurgitation.

Position the Baby Properly

After feeding, keep the baby calm and avoid activities that might cause too much movement … and lead to reflux!

It’s also essential, after feeding, to ensure the baby is kept upright, at least until they burp. For example, avoid changing them right after a meal and don’t put them to bed immediately after a bottle.

During the day, avoid leaving your baby sitting in a recliner (bouncy seat) or car seat, as this position that pressures the stomach worsens reflux.

When putting them to bed, place them on their back. It is no longer recommended to lay the baby by raising the head of the bed, as it does not reduce reflux.

Use First Aid

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as intestinal binders, to prevent reflux. These are generally taken right after meals.

No Smoking!

Passive smoking promotes the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (the junction of the esophagus and stomach), thus causing reflux. In any case, smoking is not recommended in the presence of a child or in a place where they reside.

Usually, with anti-reflux milk and the right actions, reflux problems should decrease within the first three days. In one-third of children, symptoms completely disappear after a month.