Acid Reflux - Remedies, Medication, Self Care

Remedies;; As we have mentioned earlier infant acid reflux clear up on their own with the growth of the baby.  Also simple changes in feeding techniques help in further controlling of the situation. These include more frequent but smaller feedings, holding the baby in little upright or inclined position while feeding and letting the baby burp frequently while feeding. While breast feeding avoid cow's milk or other related food.

Switch the brand if you feed your baby on formula foods. Aggressive treatment may be needed for severe cases of infant acid reflux. Medication;; Doctor's may prescribe infant doses of medications that are used regularly for adults if the baby is really uncomfortable. These may include H-2 blockers like cimetidine [tagamet] or ranitidine [zantac], proton pump inhibitor such as oesomeprazole [nexium] or omeprazole [Prilosec].

However a 2006 study shows that these medications despite claiming to be safe for use in children and infants may increase the risk of intestinal and respiratory infections in otherwise healthy children and infants.  Alternative methods;; if the baby isn't growing as expected alternate high calorie food or feeding tube is required for the baby.

Surgery;; In very rare cases baby may need to undergo Fundoplication where the muscle that relaxes to let the food in to the stomach and closes to inhibit the revert of the food to the oesophagus, is wrapped and tightened surgically.

However this is done only if the infant acid reflux is interfering with baby's overall growth and is causing breathing problems because though it may treat the infant GERD but may lead to severe complications like constant gagging while feeding.

Self regulated care techniques;; First of all keep your self calm and relaxed before and during each feed and feed the baby before it gets frantic. Next try and feed the baby in upright position and every 15 to 30 minutes while feeding put the baby in sitting position to let gravity help in keeping the food contents where it belongs that is the stomach. Try a front pack a backpack or an infant chair. Try not to juggle your baby while the food is settling.