5 Effective Strategies to Help Soothe Baby Reflux

If you’ve ever found yourself in the midst of a sleepless night with a fussy, reflux-prone baby, you know just how challenging it can be. If your little one is experiencing reflux, you’re not alone. Baby reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common issue infants face, leaving parents searching for ways to provide relief and ensure their baby is comfortable. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help ease your baby’s discomfort.

Optimal Feeding Position 

The way you position your baby during feeding can make a major difference in reducing reflux symptoms. To help prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus, try these tips:

- Ensure your baby is held in an upright position during feeding, allowing gravity to assist in digestion.

- Hold your baby in a way that promotes a straight, smooth passage for the milk to flow into their stomach.

- Keep your baby’s head slightly elevated, as it can further aid in digestion and reduce the likelihood of reflux.

Choosing the Right Baby Bottle

The right baby bottle is essential to managing baby reflux, helping to reduce the risk of overfeeding, minimising air intake and promoting a more upright feeding position. By selecting the appropriate baby bottle, you can help ease your baby’s discomfort and make feeding time a more pleasant experience for both you and your little one.

One of the key factors in managing baby reflux is minimising the amount of air your baby ingests during feeding. Look for baby bottles designed with anti-colic features, such as built-in vents or collapsible bags, which help prevent air from being swallowed during feeding. Reducing air intake can significantly lessen reflux symptoms by minimising the gas that causes discomfort.

Our customers prefer the Pigeon SofTouch ™ and Flexible ™ Bottles and Teats due to the incorporated Air Ventilation System (AVS ™), which plays a crucial role in adjusting air pressure inside the bottle. This innovative system ensures that milk flows smoothly into your baby’s mouth while minimising air intake during feeding, ensuring a more comfortable feeding experience.

Explore the full range of Pigeon reflux baby bottles to help ease your bub’s discomfort.

Avoid Lying Down After Feeding – Elevate the Crib

Reflux may worsen when your baby lies down right after feeding. To mitigate this, consider elevating the crib slightly by placing a wedge or some rolled-up towels under the crib mattress, creating a gentle incline. This elevation helps to keep the stomach contents where they belong, promoting better sleep quality for your little one.

Mastering Burping Techniques

Utilising burping techniques on your little one during and after feeds is essential to release swallowed air and reduce pressure on the stomach which is associated with reflux. Here are some burping techniques to consider trying:

- Hold your baby against your chest, supporting their head and back with one hand.

- Gently rub or pat on their back with your other hand, or use the upright position to encourage burping.

- Experiment with different burping positions to find what works best for your baby. 

Smaller, More Frequent Meals 

If your little one is experiencing reflux, offering smaller, more frequent meals can be an effective management strategy. This approach reduces the volume of milk in your baby’s stomach at a time, which can significantly decrease the likelihood of reflux episodes.

To implement this strategy, consider feeding your baby every two to three hours, rather than at longer intervals. This not only provides them with a steady supply of milk, but also prevents their stomach from becoming overly full. It is important to pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues and offer smaller portions, which can be gradually increased if needed.

Smaller, more frequent meals can significantly reduce the chance of reflux, contributing greatly to your little one’s comfort and overall well-being.

Consult with a Paediatrician

While these strategies can be helpful in managing baby reflux symptoms, it is important to remember that every baby is unique. If your little one continues to experience reflux symptoms, consult with a paediatrician for personalised medical advice. Your paediatrician’s guidance will help you make an informed decision about how to alleviate your baby’s reflux symptoms. Your little one’s health and well-being are the top priority, and an experienced healthcare professional can provide tailored guidance to ensure your baby receives the best care possible.

Discover the full range of Pigeon reflux baby bottles.