Treatment For Reflux In Breastfed Babies

It is always a good idea to breastfeed your baby in a calm quiet surrounding and to minimize distractions.

Treatment for reflux in breastfed babies.

Always feed with the head higher than the tummy. Swallowing of unnecessary air can cause acid reflux in babies. Breastfeeding is also best for babies with reflux because breastmilk leaves the stomach much faster ewer 1994 so there s less time for it to back up into the esophagus and is probably less irritating when it does come back up. Studies have suggested that h antagonists are effective in treating children with gord.

An infant needs to be given these medicines on an empty stomach so that his or her stomach acid can make them work. Along with the breastfeeding positions mentioned earlier these strategies can help keep your baby s reflux episodes to a minimum. Common side effects include fatigue dizziness and diarrhoea. Doctors often prescribe ppis for long term gerd treatment.

Medications such as alginates and antacids are often prescribed see nice guidelines and the breastfeeding network in the uk has a reflux information sheet discussing reflux medications in more detail. When breastfeeding your baby there are also other ways where you can help reduce the occurrence of reflux. Ppis lower the amount of acid the infant s stomach makes. Ranitidine is well tolerated and has a low incidence of side effects.

Antacids reduce the acidity of gastric secretions and offer short term acid reduction and symptom relief for gerd. The more relaxed your infant is the less the reflux. Ppis are better at treating gerd symptoms than h2 blockers. Other tips to help breastfeeding babies with reflux.

Ranitidine is licensed to treat reflux oesophagitis.