It's certainly no secret, breastfeeding is best for baby, but that's
particularly true for babies with reflux. There are a few reasons why this is
the case:
- Breast milk is digested twice as fast as formula, this is beneficial for
babies with reflux because the faster food moves out of the stomach, the less
chance it has of being refluxed.
- Breast milk, particularly the proteins, are more hypoallergenic than
formula, especially cow's milk based formula. Reflux can—in
some cases—be aggravated by milk or food allergies so providing the
most hypoallergenic possibility is extremely beneficial.
More—non-medical—benefits: spit up from breast milk is
much easier to clean up, less likely to stain than formula spit up and
smells better.
Babies with reflux can take two completely different approaches to
mealtime. Some become frequent and aggressive feeders, guzzling fast and
demanding more. These babies seem to get relief from the natural antacid
effects of the milk, likely from the closeness to mom and soothing action
of suckling. This is exhausting for the mothers and can actually increase
reflux episodes if babies tummy gets too full. |
s p o n s o r e d a d (what's
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Others take the complete opposite approach. They learn that food hurts and
decide to protect themselves from the pain and discomfort they associate with
eating, they become very difficult to feed or refuse food altogether. Some
things that can help are keeping the baby as upright as possible, feeding while
the baby is sleeping, the use of white noise like a vacuum or the shower
running, have proven effective for many moms. Try keeping the baby as relaxed
as possible and avoid the natural reaction to panic or get upset that baby won't
eat. Since your baby senses and reacts to your distress, this will only prove
to increase their anxiety over mealtimes. If these things, along with the rest
of the lifestyle adjustments for reflux don't help, medication may be the next
step. For these babies it's important to stop the pain they feel when they
eat. If they are able to eat without pain, the bad associations will stop and
so will the feeding problems.
Eliminating milk products and even some of the other foods* known to irritate
reflux can benefit some breastfed refluxers.
*fried or creamy style vegetables, tomatoes, citrus: such as oranges,
grapefruit, pineapple, anything prepared with whole milk or high-fat, cold cuts,
sausage, bacon, fatty meat, chicken fat/skin, all animal or vegetable oils,
chocolate, carbonated beverages, chicken, beef, milk, or cream-based soups
Reviewed By Dave Olson, MD
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Graduate University of Michigan School of Medicine |
