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All babies cry; it’s how they let you know they have a need that you’re required, as parents, to meet. But what if your baby seems to cry more than usual, even after her diaper is changed, her tummy is full and her blankets are keeping her warm?
Baby heartburn?
It is estimated that over half of all babies born suffer from some degree of Gastro esophageal Reflux, or baby heartburn. This occurs when the valve at the top of the stomach is not formed properly and so is unable to close after feeding. The result is that food is not digested properly and is allowed to travel back up the food pipe, burning the oesophagus and sending an arc of projectile vomit onto whoever may be within range. For many babies, the reflux is mild enough to be nothing more than a minor annoyance- pack lots of muslin squares and a couple of spare outfits and you’re set. For some, however, repeated vomiting can result in poor weight gain and severe pain, as the acid brought up from the stomach can burn the throat. So, how does your baby communicate this? Excessive crying can be the first sign that all is not well, especially if accompanied by vomiting after feeds, arching of the back and drawing up of the knees. Unfortunately, these signs are often mistaken for colic, and many parents are told they can do nothing more than to wait it out. Some babies require medication for their symptoms and until they are controlled, no amount of pacing the floor late at night is going to help.
Helping your baby
There are many ways that parents can help their screaming bundles to feel more comfortable; medication is often the last resort and many doctors are reluctant to prescribe anything straight away. A good tip for feeding a baby with reflux is to make sure she is sitting upright instead of lying down. It’s a lot easier to swallow when you’re sitting up and there’s more chance that the milk will make it down to the stomach. Many moms and dads have also reported that keeping your baby upright after feeds is essential as gravity helps to keep the milk down. These parents claim that a minimum of thirty minutes after feeds is needed to ensure that the milk has had time to be digested. Wearing baby in a sling can help with this, especially for newborns, who tend to fall asleep after feeds. It is also a good idea to slightly raise other things to an incline- the changing mat, the cot mattress and the bath seat; your baby needs to avoid being laid flat. Other moms recommend that you always change baby before feeds so that you don’t need to lie her down after a meal. Another top tip from parents is to avoid feeding just before bath time as the warm water and movement in the bath can aggravate symptoms.
Coping
Reflux can be terribly isolating for many new parents. Who wants to be the mom covered in vomit at baby group each week? Who wants to be the dad standing in line at the grocery store with the baby that just won’t stop crying? It’s frustrating and often heartbreaking to watch your baby cry and feel powerless to help. Many babies do grow out of their condition and often by the time they are eating solid food and sitting upright independently, many of the symptoms have disappeared. Some babies require slightly longer term care and that can be difficult for parents. At the end of the day, our job is to look after our children and it can seem a daunting prospect when they are in constant pain. Most babies recover well from Reflux but it is important to remember that you don’t need to go it alone. Ask for help if you need it and don’t allow yourself to be dismissed- if you know that something is wrong the very least your baby deserves it to be listened to.
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Source by Jennifer Woodbeck