Spitting up and vomiting Refusing to eat Having difficulty eating or swallowing Being irritable during feedings Burping or hiccuping wet liquid Failing to gain weight. [4] X Research source
Increase the frequency of your baby’s feedings but reduce how much you give him at each feeding so that there is less pressure on the muscle that keeps food from refluxing. [6] X Research source Make sure your baby’s bottle and nipple is the right size. This allows your baby to get the right amount of milk from the nipple without swallowing air. [7] X Research source Try a different brand of formula, but only after discussing it with your baby’s doctor. [8] X Research source Thicken the formula with some rice cereal with your pediatrician’s approval and directions. [9] X Research source
Reduce the amount of milk in your baby’s stomach by breastfeeding for less time each feeding, but more frequently throughout the day. [11] X Research source Eliminate different foods from your diet to see if this eases your newborns reflux. [12] X Research source For example, you may want to avoid dairy, beef, or eggs to see one of these causes the reflux. [13] X Research source Thicken expressed breast milk with rice cereal in small increments. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Avoid feedings two hours before bedtime if possible. Burp your baby every one to two hours after a feeding to help relieve gas and prevent reflux. Interrupt bottle feedings every one to two ounces. Burp breastfed babies whenever they pull off of your nipple. [16] X Research source
Place your baby on your lap with his head resting on your chest. [18] X Research source Try and keep your baby quiet while holding him upright. [19] X Research source
Make sure to speak with your baby’s doctor before changing her sleeping position. Place your baby in her crib on a firm mattress with no blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals that might suffocate her. Gently turn her head to the side so that her mouth and nose aren’t obstructed. [22] X Research source Consider elevating the mattress slightly with a foam block or wedge pillow under the head of the mattress. [23] X Research source Avoid using a pillow on the mattress, which could suffocate your baby. If you elevate the head of the bed, you can often continue to put your baby to bed on her back, which is usually the safest. Put your baby on her left side, which keeps the stomach inlet higher than the outlet, and may help keep food down. [24] X Research source
Be aware that the World Health Organization doesn’t recommend giving gripe water to babies under six months. [26] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Make sure to speak to your doctor before giving your baby gripe water. [27] X Research source Look for products with fennel, peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, or ginger. [28] X Research source Stay away from products with sodium bicarbonate, sucrose, fructose, or alcohol. [29] X Research source
Inability to gain weight Projectile vomiting Vomit or spit up that is green or yellow Vomit or spit up that contains blood or material that looks like coffee grounds Refusal to eat Stools that are bloody Chronic cough or difficulty breathing Irritability after eating
Ultrasound Blood or urine tests Esophageal pH monitoring X-rays Upper endoscopy. [32] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions. Most medications given to babies for reflux are dosed specifically for them. [35] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Give your baby drugs to reduce the acid. She’ll likely get either a proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole (Prilosec or Prevacid) or an H2 blockers like Tagamet or Zantac. [36] X Research source Avoid giving over-the-counter acid blocking drugs to your baby.
