Top Tips for Reflux in 1st Year - Self Help

Hi
I wasn't given any information about my sons Gastro Reflux when he was diagnosed and I think this is really unfair on parents struggling with a distressed and vomiting newborn baby.... so, I wanted to pass on a few top tips that I was given - I hope they help someone.

1) Hold your baby upright for 30minutes after feeds (I used a sling most of the day).

2) Put something under your baby's cot/moses basket and change mat so their body is on an angle- you can buy wedges/feet for this or make something at home - we used books under the top feet of the cot and wedge shaped foam under the change mat.

3) We were advised not to pat our baby during winding - just to keep them upright and rub their backs in circular motions.

4) If your baby is distressed - don't feel guilty for sleeping with your baby, holding them frequently (I held ours all day or they screamed)

5) Our consultant recommend we fed our sons small and often - sometimes i fed my sons to comfort them and i often had to feed them repeadly if they were vomiting feeds. I was also told they wanted to feed more at night as it eased their pain - so don't listen to people saying they are attention seeking or spoiled - they are often in pain and need soothing!

6) We found Gaviscon to be useless. If it doesn't help then go back - there are lots of other medications you can get.

7) If your baby is in distress then insist on getting a referral to a paediatrician - our doctors were very unsupportive and we had to fight really hard - but it's worth the fight to get help.

8) Weaning problems are common in reflux babies - your local Speech Therapy department probably have a therapist trained in feeding problems who can advise you. You can get referrals to speech therapy from your health visitor or GP.

9) It may be worth trying other milks - we were told by a specialist that reflux can be a sign of allergies - may be worth asking your consultant about this if the symptoms don't go.

10) if your baby has reflux beyond age 3 then it may be something else - you could ask your consultant about having a barium meal to rule out other physical problems? You could also ask about Allergies, Eosinophilic Disease and other Gastro problems.

11) If you have supportive health care professionals then that's great - but if you don't then you are in the majority. Most mums with babies with severe reflux have been made to feel they are neurotic, not coping, some are even accused of having Post-natal Depression. If you feel your baby is suffering then don't listen to them. You are doing a great job - just don't list to anything else and ignore ignorant advice!!!! It is really hard and isolating but things do improve in time.

Hope these help someone out there!

Good luck!

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