Acid Reflux Remedies

Infants experiencing acid reflux are hard to handle. They are miserable and cranky babies. Distinguishing acid reflux in infants can be easily observed. Symptoms include sudden frequent hiccups, prolonged painful crying, coughing, poor appetite or refusing to eat even when hungry, prefers to be held and not to be put down, sleeping problems, and frequent spitting/vomiting. Since these symptoms are painful and uncomfortable for little ones, this should be corrected right away once baby exhibits them. The treatment for this condition depends on the severity of the baby’s symptoms. You can find some remedies at home. Aside from their availability, they are all-natural and inexpensive. The following are some first aid remedies that mothers can try to alleviate the problem.

First on the list is proper positioning. Infants should be kept upright for about half an hour after a feed. This helps in avoiding spitting and vomiting by keeping the food down with the help of gravity. Parents should also avoid over-feeding. You can tell that the baby is full when he or she seems to lose interest in eating while you feed.

Second is breast milk. A mother’s milk is a natural antacid and it helps alleviate baby’s acidity. Compared to artificial milk formulas, it is digested and absorbed quicker. This is good because the lesser time food spent in baby’s tummy, the lower the chances of spitting up or vomiting.

After breastfeeding, try burping the baby. If baby pulls off from your nipple, or anytime he or she squirms, let baby burp. Do this as frequently if bottle feeding. You may also want to choose positions that put less pressure on baby’s tummy. The key is to find what burping position works for you and your baby. One position is by placing the baby’s head over your shoulder and holding him close to while gently patting his or her back.

Another home remedy is thickened feedings. Many pediatricians would suggest this by mixing breast milk with rice cereal. Some babies would benefit from this, although some wouldn’t. If planning on using this strategy, be sure to use organic rice cereals. Commercial ones tend to have soy as one of the ingredients and can cause an allergic reaction to some babies. You can try this giving the baby small, frequent feedings. Remember to keep baby upright before, during, and after the feeding to lessen the amount of reflux.

Lastly, fresh fruit and vegetable juices are also effective because it can easily be digested by the baby’s stomach. They are convenient and easy to do. Make juices from apples, mango, strawberries, apricots, raspberries, cherries, sweet plums, pineapples, and carrots. It’s a fun way of not only relieving the pain, but also introducing new food tastes to the baby.