9 Lifestyle changes preventing infant Acid Reflux - 2
3. Nighttime Sleep Position
As noted above, position your infant on his back, and elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees. Gravity will help keep stomach contents where they belong.
4. Try Smaller, More Frequent Feedings
Feedings every two to three hours when the infant is awake will reduce the occurrence of gastric reflux. Overfeeding can increase abdominal pressure, which can lead to gastric reflux.
5. Rice Cereal May Help
This can reduce the amount an infant will regurgitate. Start with one teaspoon of rice cereal to each ounce of formula. If the baby is breast-feed, try pumping and then adding rice cereal to the breast milk.
6. Diet Modifications For Mothers Who Breastfeed
Certain foods -- such as caffeine, chocolate, and garlic -- can promote reflux, so if you breastfeed your infant, you should consider cutting these foods out of your diet.
7. Infant Seats And Car Seats
The way the infant is positioned in the car seat can cause regurgitation to increase. If the infant slouches over, it causes abdominal compression, increasing the risk of reflux. Using simple supports to keep the infant upright will prevent this.
8. Burping The Infant
Burping your infant several times during the feeding will help minimize gastric pressure, and the reflux it can cause. Waiting to burp your infant until after she has a full stomach can increase the chances of regurgitation.
9. Other Things You Can Do
Avoid tight elastic around your baby's waist, and keep diapers loose. Also, don't give your infant caffeinated beverages, orange juice or other citrus juices.
If none of the above methods work, there are a number of medications that often help. Keep in contact with your doctor as you make any of these lifestyle changes. Your doctor will advice you as to the next steps to take.