Treatment For Reflux In Breastfed Babies

Antacids reduce the acidity of gastric secretions and offer short term acid reduction and symptom relief for gerd.

Treatment for reflux in breastfed babies.

Along with the breastfeeding positions mentioned earlier these strategies can help keep your baby s reflux episodes to a minimum. Infant formula and some medication including herbal meds may cause acid reflux symptoms. 2 they can heal the esophageal lining in infants. Ppis are better at treating gerd symptoms than h2 blockers.

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. Studies have suggested that h antagonists are effective in treating children with gord. Common side effects include fatigue dizziness and diarrhoea. 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.

When breastfeeding your baby there are also other ways where you can help reduce the occurrence of reflux. The more relaxed your infant is the less the reflux. This usually happens when a baby is restless while breastfeeding. Ppis lower the amount of acid the infant s stomach makes.

Other tips to help breastfeeding babies with reflux. Always feed with the head higher than the tummy. It is always a good idea to breastfeed your baby in a calm quiet surrounding and to minimize distractions. Ranitidine is licensed to treat reflux oesophagitis.

An infant needs to be given these medicines on an empty stomach so that his or her stomach acid can make them work.