How Do I Help My Baby's Reflux and Colic?
On episode 73 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, I sat down with Áine Homer, also known as the “Baby Reflux Lady!” During our chat, we talked about when to be concerned about your baby’s reflux and how to manage it.
Want to know the details?
Be sure to tune into episode 73 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, “Help Your Baby’s Reflux and Colic: Tips for Comfort and Relief with Baby Reflux Lady | Ep.72” to learn more!
Why is My Baby Having Reflux?
Since your baby’s digestive system is still developing during those first few months of life, you might be unsurprised to find you’re dealing with a lot of spit-up!
However, reflux is actually not normal.
A good way to understand this is to put yourself in your baby’s position: As an adult, it’s not natural to spit up your water or coffee.
So, when should you be concerned about your newborn?
Symptoms and Causes of Reflux in Babies
There are many symptoms experienced by both mom and baby that can trigger reflux in newborns.
Mom:
Diet and stress-level: Increased levels of stress can impact your baby’s reflux.
Extreme stress during pregnancy: Any form of significant stress you may experience while pregnant (short/long labor, c-section birth, etc.) can cause reflux in your baby.
Baby:
Any potential allergies: Your baby could have an allergy to many different things, and this could induce reflux.
Tension from birth
Any one of these symptoms can complicate your baby’s ability to digest milk.
Should I be Worried about my Baby’s Reflux?
If your baby is suffering from frequent reflux, you should start taking steps to help.
Ways to tell if you should do something:
Trust your instincts: Even if your baby’s not showing their discomfort on their face, there may still be something wrong. Is the reflux constant?
Act as if you’re experiencing your baby’s symptoms: Putting yourself in your child’s shoes can help you understand whether or not the symptoms are normal.
Another important thing to consider:
Don’t assume your baby’s condition is the same as another baby, even if the symptoms are the same.
There’s no singular cause when it comes to reflux. Every situation is different.
How to Treat Your Baby’s Reflux at Home:
There are two strategies you can use to manage your baby’s reflux yourself:
Hold your baby upright after feeding: This position will help regulate things in your baby’s digestive system.
Find the right breastfeeding position: Finding an effective position will allow your baby’s digestion to flow better, since there’s no interruptions to feeding.
But the best way to completely treat your baby’s reflux is by finding the ROOT CAUSE and addressing that.
Perhaps they need to see a pediatric chiropractor or a infant craniosacral therapist, perhaps they have an undiagnosed tongue tie or a dairy allergy…
When will my Baby’s Reflux Go Away?
According to Hopkins Medicine, “Many babies who vomit outgrow it by the time they are about one year old.” However, many experts say you shouldn’t make your baby live uncomfortably until they are one without addressing it!
There’s no set way to fix your baby’s reflux, but there are ways that you can help ease it.
It’s not easy for any of us (ever) to see our child in discomfort. That’s why it’s important to understand your baby’s reflux and what to do about it. Curious to know more about how to address your baby’s reflux?
Check out episode 73 of the Learning to Mom Podcast, “Help Your Baby’s Reflux and Colic: Tips for Comfort and Relief with Baby Reflux Lady | Ep.72” to get details!
