Ways to Reduce Symptoms of Reflux in Babies

Preventive measures taken by parents are very important in reducing the symptoms of reflux, which is quite common in babies. Dr. Kemal Akpınar, a pediatric specialist at Anadolu Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of awareness in mothers, particularly in areas such as proper breastfeeding, positioning, and healthy nutrition. He explains, "It is natural for your baby to spit up a little after breastfeeding. This condition, known as physiological reflux, should not be confused with reflux disease, and the baby's symptoms need to be closely monitored. If your baby is frequently vomiting, refusing to feed, not gaining weight, feeling irritable, or having trouble sleeping, it is important to consult your doctor as soon as possible." Dr. Kemal Akpınar provided important information regarding reflux in babies... Complaints that worry mothers, such as "My baby refuses to breastfeed, is not gaining weight, is not sleeping, and is very irritable," could be strong indicators of reflux. In fact, it is normal for a baby to spit up a small amount after breastfeeding. The air swallowed during breastfeeding, along with some food, coming back up is involuntary (this may appear as water, milk, or curdled milk leaking from the mouth within 30 minutes after breastfeeding) and is referred to as physiological reflux. This is typically caused by incorrect breastfeeding positions or overfeeding. However, when the frequency of vomiting increases, the baby refuses to feed, does not gain weight, cannot sleep, and becomes irritable, that is when we can talk about reflux as a medical condition.

Reflux is More Common in Premature Babies

Although reflux is not seen in every baby as a disease, it occurs in 70% of newborns, especially in one-month-old babies. It is more common in babies with developmental disorders, those born prematurely, or those with genetic predispositions. Certain infections, such as urinary tract infections, can also make a baby more susceptible to reflux. After the age of two, the frequency of reflux drops to about 5%.

The First Step in Treatment: Correct Breastfeeding Technique

In reflux that has turned into a disease, common symptoms include frequent vomiting, refusal to feed, inability to gain weight, failure to thrive, and bad breath. In children over two years old, additional symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, and constipation may be observed. The most important criteria for early diagnosis are a detailed history and physical examination. More advanced tests can be performed for a definitive diagnosis. In the treatment phase, the first approach is to recommend proper breastfeeding techniques, correcting the mother’s lifestyle, improving her diet, and using anti-reflux formulas. For medical treatments, mucosal protectants are used first, followed by acid-suppressing medications, drugs that regulate esophageal and stomach movements, and thickening agents for stomach contents. If these treatments do not provide relief, surgical treatment may be considered.

The Most Natural Remedy for Reflux: Breast Milk
Breastfed babies experience reflux less frequently due to the composition of nutrients in breast milk, its ease of digestion, and faster transit to the intestines. Dr. Kemal Akpınar provided the following suggestions to reduce normal post-breastfeeding or bottle-feeding spitting up seen in non-pathological, physiological reflux:

10 Tips to Reduce Your Baby's Spitting Up

Always breastfeed your baby in an upright position.
Ensure your baby latches onto not just the nipple but also the brown area of the breast. This helps reduce air intake and spitting up.
After breastfeeding, hold your baby in an appropriate position on your shoulder and gently massage their back to help release gas. Avoid sudden or hard movements and pressure that increases abdominal pressure.
If you are bottle-feeding, avoid feeding at night. In babies who frequently spit up, the last feeding of the day should be done 1-2 hours before bedtime.
Hold the bottle at an almost vertical angle while feeding.
Stop feeding as soon as your baby refuses to feed, either by breast or bottle, at least twice. Remember, for the baby to feel hungry again, the stomach contents must pass into the intestines. If this does not happen, the baby will feel full. Persisting with feeding when the baby is not hungry will increase vomiting.
Avoid foods and feeding habits that could cause bloating, heartburn, and gas. Particularly during breastfeeding, any food that bothers you will also bother your baby.
After breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, keep the head of the crib elevated at a 10-20 degree angle.
Encourage your baby to sleep with their head turned to the left. Research shows that babies who sleep with their head turned left have lower reflux frequency.
Ensure your baby’s clothing is loose, especially avoid tight diapers.