Reflux in infants is a common condition that usually resolves as the baby grows, without the need for treatment. The continuation of reflux in babies who reach a certain month may indicate an underlying medical disorder. Reflux can be reduced in infants with simple but effective changes in lifestyle. In this article, both the topics that are curious about reflux and the suggestions that will be good for reflux are explained.
What is Reflux in Babies?
Reflux can be defined as the reflux of stomach contents. In the digestive system, the foods taken orally are transmitted first to the esophagus and then to the stomach. There are transition points in the muscle structure that allow this transmission to take place in a certain order. The food particles arriving at the transition points pass to the next organ with the relaxation of the muscle structure. In the absence of food, this passage is closed and the reflux of nutrients is prevented. Irregularities in this conduction path due to various reasons lead to the formation of reflux. Foods such as milk consumed by the baby come back from the stomach to the esophagus and mouth.
Another issue that families wonder about is when the reflux situation will improve. Reflux is a common condition especially in babies younger than 3 months old and is expected to improve over time.
When does reflux in babies go away?
The answer to the question varies from baby to baby. While reflux is most evident around 4 months, it is not seen in infants reaching 12-18 months. It is rare for babies over 24 months of age to have reflux symptoms and may not improve due to an underlying problem. In such a case, it would be beneficial for the family to consult a pediatrician. The occurrence of reflux in infants aged 24 months and over may occur due to a cause called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While it is considered normal to have reflux in newborn babies and continue until 18 months, GERD is a disease that can cause more serious symptoms and results. It is useful to monitor the baby especially during and after feeding. In such cases, families may notice that the baby shows one or more of the reflux symptoms. lyre Symptoms of reflux in infants;
- spitting and vomiting,
- difficulty in swallowing,
- restlessness during feeding,
- frequent coughing.
How to Prevent Reflux in Babies?
Your doctor will determine whether your baby's symptoms are a normal condition or develop as a result of a chronic medical condition.
If the symptoms appear due to a chronic medical problem, reflux treatment is started in infants.
- Depending on the underlying problem, your baby is treated with medication or various surgical methods.
- However, if the symptoms are due to reflux, which is normally seen in infants, this condition usually does not require treatment.
- With some lifestyle changes, the discomfort caused by reflux in infants can be reduced.
1. Keeping the Baby Upright During and After Feeding
Keeping the baby upright for at least 30 minutes during and after feeding may prevent the development of reflux. Feeding breastfed babies with an inclination with their head up instead of a full horizontal position reduces the risk of reflux. It is necessary not to apply pressure to the abdomen while holding the baby in an upright position.
2. Regulation of the Baby's Lying Position
The baby's lying position is also important in reflux disease. While it was recommended that babies with reflux lie in the prone position in the past, this understanding has lost its validity today. It is beneficial for babies with reflux problems to lie on their back. Although it is not very common, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome can be seen especially in babies under 1 year old. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a condition in which a baby dies unexplained, usually during sleep. It is recommended by doctors that babies who are at risk for this syndrome should be placed face down. Which position is best for your baby? It will be better for you to decide together with your doctor.
3. Using Reflux Pillow in Babies
The fact that the baby's head is higher during sleep may also be good for reflux. In the baby with the head up, the stomach contents cannot escape back to the esophagus due to the effect of gravity. For this purpose, reflux pillows can be used in babies. Thanks to the pillow, the baby lies in a slightly inclined position so that the stomach contents remain where they should be.
4. Making Improvements in Baby's Nutrition
Nutrition is also very important in preventing reflux. Frequent excessive feeding of the baby causes the stomach to exceed its capacity. In addition, it increases the intra-abdominal pressure and prepares the ground for the formation of reflux. Excess food in the stomach comes to the mouth through vomiting. In order to prevent this situation, it will be beneficial for the baby to be fed at intervals of 2-3 hours to meet the needs of the baby. The use of bottle caps with smaller holes in bottle feeding can also have a positive effect. By using these caps, the amount of air escaping into the baby's stomach during feeding is reduced and abdominal distension is prevented.
5. Choosing the Foods to be Used in the Transition to Complementary Food Carefully
Preferring rice porridge as an additional food in babies who start solid food may also be good for reflux. The baby can be accustomed to this food by methods such as adding a teaspoon of rice porridge to the food to be prepared. Rice porridge helps prevent the baby's food from coming back from the stomach. To babies who start complementary foods; Caffeine-containing beverages such as orange juice and coffee should not be given. These foods increase the possibility of reflux in babies.
6. Avoiding Certain Foods by Breastfeeding Mothers
Some foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers may increase reflux in infants. Foods that increase reflux; chocolate, garlic, caffeine-containing drinks. Removing these nutrients from the diets of mothers during the breastfeeding period may reduce reflux in infants. In some mothers, removing milk and eggs from the diet has been shown to be effective in reducing reflux.
7. Making Changes in Breastfeeding Habits
Mothers with strong milk secretion during breastfeeding must be cautious. Sudden early release of milk is not easy for the baby to absorb and may cause the baby to suffocate with milk. In order to prevent this situation, it may be beneficial for the mother to express some milk just before starting to breastfeed. In addition, babies of mothers who have congestion problems at the beginning of breastfeeding are also at risk for reflux. The baby who starts to suckle does not get enough milk, which causes him to swallow more air. This may also predispose to reflux. It is recommended that mothers who have this problem should express before breastfeeding until milk flow is achieved.
8. Ensuring the Baby to Feed in a Comfortable Environment
Like reflux seen in adults, reflux seen in babies can also be affected by situations such as stress, restlessness, and not being comfortable. For this reason, it is beneficial for the baby to be fed in a quiet, peaceful and comfortable environment. Reflux is reduced if the baby does not do excessive physical activity for at least 30 minutes after feeding and is in a resting state.
9. Regulating the Baby's Position in Daily Activities
The way the baby sits in the vehicle or stroller is also important in terms of reflux formation. It may be inconvenient for the baby to stay in these vehicles for a long time in positions that put pressure on the abdomen, bent and twisted. Therefore, when adjusting the baby seat in the vehicle or placing the baby in the stroller; baby should be comfortable and adjustments should be made so that the head area is slightly up.
10. Removing the baby's gas at certain intervals
Removing the baby's gas several times during the day is among the suggestions that help reduce reflux. With this procedure, the pressure in the baby's abdomen is reduced and the risk of reflux is reduced. It is recommended to perform the gas removal procedure after the baby's stomach is fully filled.
11. Not to Create Pressure Around the Baby's Abdomen increases the pressure in the abdomen. This increases the likelihood of reflux. The baby's diaper should be in the appropriate size for his age and the waist circumference should not be too tight when wearing. Avoiding swaddling, which prevents the baby from moving freely, is good for reflux.
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