Do you want to treat your bub’s reflux, but feel helpless about what to do?
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is when the contents of your baby’s stomach come back up into their esophagus and throat, resulting in frequent spitting up or vomiting.
We understand how distressing this can be, but there are ways to help treat reflux. This article provides natural approaches and practical at-home tips that may relieve your little one’s reflux, using gentle and holistic methods.
But before diving into these treatments, please consult your trusted healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your child’s needs.
Treatment of reflux: natural treatments
Try these natural treatments:
Feed baby in an upright position
If possible, try feeding the baby upright and keep them in that position for approximately 30 minutes afterwards. This method can effectively help in treating reflux and prevent the uncomfortable experience of acid creeping up.
Try smaller, more frequent feeds
It is possible that your little one might experience reflux and spit up more often if their tummy is too full. One way to address this, is by increasing the frequency of feedings, while reducing the amount at each feeding.
Frequent feeding will help alleviate pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which prevents food from flowing back into the esophagus from the stomach.
When this muscle is under strain, it becomes less effective, causing stomach contents to rise into the throat. It’s important to remember that it takes time for the LES to strengthen during your baby’s first year, so it’s normal for them to spit up frequently.
Burp baby often
Whether you feed your baby with a bottle or breast, it’s important to remember the significance of burping.
Regularly burping your little one during feeding can provide relief from reflux symptoms. For bottle-fed infants, burp them after every 30-60 millilitres or 2-3 tablespoons (or even more frequently if they consume smaller amounts).
Sleep baby on back
Sleeping your baby on their backs can provide relief for their reflux. Gravity works in their favour by keeping the stomach acids from flowing back into the esophagus.
This can help reduce the frequency and severity of GERD symptoms. Also, laying them on their back allows for proper digestion as their head is slightly elevated. By ensuring that their head is above their stomach level, you can prevent any acid regurgitation during sleep.
Thicken breast milk or formula with Supercol
In thickening breast milk or formula with Supercol, it may help manage some of the challenges mothers and babies experience with feeding.
Supercol effectively thickens liquids, slowing it’s flow and minimising the chances of pulmonary aspiration, which often affects infants with dysphagia.
By making feeds easier to swallow, Supercol greatly reduces vomiting after meals.
Countless mothers have reached out to share their experiences, expressing how this life-changing thickener has completely revolutionised their feeding routine from being anxiety-induced to something they now look forward to.
The best part is that it’s a pure, natural guar gum powder derived from real food (unlike other artificial gums). It is gentle on the stomach and provides nutritional benefits for your baby’s diet.
See more reasons why mum’s love Supercol or order online.
How to treat reflux in babies naturally
If your infant is experiencing reflux and to alleviate their discomfort using gentle and holistic approaches, there are various natural remedies and practical tips that you can implement at home.
These include adjusting baby’s feeding and sleeping positions, opting for smaller but more frequent feeds, ensuring proper burping techniques, and considering the use of Supercol food and liquid thickener.
By following these suggestions, you may be able to provide some relief for your baby’s reflux symptoms.