Learn how to treat a newborn’s reflux with Dr. Rania Hawayek.
Signs of gastroesophageal in a newborn’s reflux are numerous. Some of these are:
Arching their back, frequent hiccoughs, discomfort on laying flat on their backs, pulling away when they feed or posseting often.
Reflux is due to a slightly looser lower esophageal sphincter, and that, coupled with small stomach capacity, a short distance from their mouth to their stomach, and the fact that they spend most of their lives lying flat, explains the symptoms mentioned in the video.
Things that can be done to address reflux in the first few weeks are centred mainly around positioning your baby. Try to feed your baby in as upright a position as possible. Winding your baby halfway through a feed can help, as it allows some of the gas in their stomach to escape and relieve some of the pressure. Hold your baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after a feed to allow the stomach contents to settle. When you lay your baby down to sleep, incline their mattress slightly so they’re not laying completely flat. If despite all of this, your baby’s symptoms continue, please speak to your paediatrician as there are several treatment options.
