Reflux in Young Infants

When our son was born, he used to projectile spit up and wasn’t gaining weight. We went to doctors, lactation consultants, and more. Conflicting answers, dismissive doctors, and 2 very irritated parents of a newborn.

No one could give helpful answers.

“Put cereal in his bottle”

“Don’t put cereal in his bottle, that’s dangerous!”

“Cut out all dairy in your diet! Even in baked goods.”

“Eat more dairy to get your supply up!”

I just wanted the whole world to STOP.

Then, we met Theresa. She was a state home nurse for new babies. She swooped in, reassured me, guided me, supported me, and made me feel like my concerns were FINALLY being heard. She taught me the only thing that helped to calm the reflux,

Pace Feeding.

Theresa told us, hold your baby as if they’re sitting up, support their head. Hold the bottle parallel to the floor and tip just enough to put milk in the nipple. The idea is slower milk will assist in less air intake. Once the bottle is gone, keep him at an incline for 30 minutes.

Infants with reflux are notorious for being “bad burpers” or just gassy and irritable. There are 3 tried and true methods for helping your gassy babies.

Method one to help baby burp: Sit baby’s butt in your hand. Use the other hand to keep baby up right. Slowly rotate their butt with the hand they are sitting in approximately 10 times.

Method two to help baby burp: Support baby’s head and chest with one hand, put baby’s back against your torso as if they are sitting in your lap. Rotate your upper body in a circle moving baby’s body with you. This burping trick has been known to get gas out of the most difficult burpers.

Method three helping relieve gas discomfort: Put your baby on their belly on your forearm, their head supported by your elbow and legs free to move. This position helps them to wiggle out gas and burps on their own!

Wherever you are in your journey, your questions are welcome here. They are received without judgement. The answers are meant to help whatever stage of life you are in.

Let’s build our village. Ask your questions. Let’s grow our families.