Gastroesophageal reflux in infants
A gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs in almost all infants. Spontaneous regurgitation occurs effortlessly, often during a burp or after a meal.
The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux increases between the ages of 2 months and 6 months, often favored by the baby’s liquid diet, but also by changes in position and compression of the abdomen.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease usually resolves in about 85% of infants aged 12 months and 95% before 18 months, during dietary diversification.
However, be careful not to confuse GERD and vomiting, unlike the latter, GERD is not accompanied by muscle or abdominal contractions.
How does it work ?
The insufficiency of the lower esophageal sphincter causes gastric contents to rise up into the esophagus. Remember that the muscle used to close the stomach of the esophagus is still immature in the baby, which explains reflux. It consolidates throughout the first year of life. An abnormality at the level of the second door of the stomach (pylorus), the one that leads to the intestines, may also be responsible.
Some naturopathic hygienic dietetic measures to relieve your baby of gastroesophageal reflux :
What if it was a bad position?
- Avoid laying down baby during and just after taking a meal
- Raise the head of the crib by placing a cushion under the mattress
- Lay your child on their back to sleep (Left lateral positioning is no longer recommended for safety reasons. Regardless of whether or not reflux is present, the only recommended sleeping position for infants is supine, which is has been shown to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Favor the upright position (after feeding, infants are kept in an upright non-seated position for 20 to 30 minutes because sitting, like in a baby seat, increases gastric pressure)
The indispensable :
- Don’t forget the burp
- Do not give baby too much milk, the too much may come out just as quickly! Prefer smaller but more frequent meals
- Take breaks during breastfeeding, in particular to allow the air absorbed during swallowing to escape
- After feeding, keep baby calm, and avoid activities that may make him move too much… and cause regurgitation!
- Prefer an anti-regurgitation milk
Which plant is suitable for toddlers to relieve GERD :
This floral water has the property of facilitating digestion, preventing gastric spasms and therefore reflux.
Pour a teaspoon of Chamomile hydrosol in a bottle of water; to drink in portions throughout the day.
