Colic and Infant Reflux - Causes and Cures

Infant reflux can be very distressing to not only the infant, but also the mother.  Hearing or seeing a young baby crying, or even screaming, is always a distressing moment for any parent or carer, and in the early days and weeks it can almost seem as though the culprit could be one of an endless list of possible causes.

One of the most common issues experienced in the first two or three months is colic, one significant cause of which is infant acid reflux. Effectively this is the same issue that adults can suffer from - with the lower esophageal sphincter failing to keep the stomach's acids where they should, and the rising up of acids into the esophagus or even up into the throat or mouth can be not just unpleasant but painful enough at any time.

A baby's digestive system is very immature and underdeveloped to begin with, and it usually remains in this condition for the first hundred days, meaning that by the time the child is about three months old, most of the problems associated with reflux are settling down.

However, telling the parent of a one week old baby that it'll all be all right in three or four months is of no help whatever, and the usual response of doctors or pharmacists is to prescribe an antacid such as Gaviscon. Primarily this seems to be more for the sake and comfort of the parents, who achieve a bit of peace and quiet, than the baby. The antacids in such medicines inhibit the baby's natural digestion, and can actually cause problems with the breaking down of enzymes found in the milk.

There are a number of tips on treating infant reflux which have been proven to work over the years, and rather than thrusting medication down a baby's throat at the first sign of trouble, these are well worth pursuing as ultimately, they are more effective in the long term, and have no other risks or side effects attached to them.

If unsure if it is infant reflux which is the cause of the crying, there are a few signs to indicate this as a possible cause. Of course, positing, or the bringing up of milk, is a sure sign of reflux, but this is not always clear. Often the 'rule of three' is mentioned. This means that if your baby is crying for three hours, three times a week for three weeks or more, then the most likely cause is reflux. Contrary to popular belief, it is not always the case that this occurs immediately after or during feeding, and there can be a delay of some time between feeding and suffering from the pain associated with infant acid reflux.

Another common misconception is that after a feed it helps to fairly vigorously pat or rub the baby's back or tummy to aid indigestion. Due to the undeveloped digestive system, this vigorous or regular movement can actually cause the acid reflux itself! Instead, a very gentle clockwise massage on the baby's tummy can help, although the best advice is simply to sit the baby up for between half an hour and forty-five minutes after feeding, to allow gravity to help with the digestion and reduce the chance of reflux.

Along with the idea of sitting a child up after a feed, propping the head end of their cot up a little can also help with reducing the chance of reflux. Because it is very unwise to use a pillow or any other item which could cause the baby to cover their face whilst sleeping, the best advice is to use a couple of rolled up towels and place them under the mattress itself in the cot, raising the head end by just a couple of inches or so. This will have a good deal of benefit.

Not to be underestimated either is the benefit of being kept warm, and in particular, a warm bath can help soothe and relax your baby and reduce the chance of infant acid reflux. If possible, sitting your child up in a bath after a feed not only helps to reduce the chance of infant reflux, but also helps soothe and comfort them before going to sleep. At any age, it is unwise to lie down to sleep or rest after a meal, and of course, a baby's tummy is so very small that it is easily filled. Lying down to sleep can therefore cause reflux, pain and so prevent the child from sleeping, helping to get him or her even rattier and more upset!

Often overlooked is another factor which can contribute greatly towards the likelihood or severity of infant reflux, and that is the mother's diet. Obviously this assumes that the baby is breast fed, but if this is the case, then if the mother eats an unhealthy diet, or even has a strong, rich diet including spices or citric acids, then this is likely to be passed on to the baby through the milk. It might well be very diluted, but remember that a child's digestive system is very much more sensitive to such imbalances than ours is. Drinking plenty of water to ensure that the milk is well balanced is also of great importance.

Of course, if these holistic methods don't work, or don't work quickly enough, then medicines either over the counter or prescribed by your doctor will certainly help to contribute towards the whole range of methods which can help to ease the suffering of infant reflux.

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