How to Prevent Acid Reflux in a Sleeping Baby

Many babies suffer from acid reflux. For most babies, reflux occurs in the form of spit-up during or after feeding. Since babies who suffer from recurring, frequent acid reflux when they are not feeding risk choking on their spit-up at night, it is important to keep their reflux under control. Here are a few ways to prevent acid reflux in a sleeping baby.

Never lay a baby that suffers from acid reflux flat. Babies' beds are usually flat when they sleep. This is the worst position for acid reflux. Babies cannot move themselves and become more susceptible to acid reflux (and to choking). The best way to prevent acid reflux in a sleeping baby is to let baby sit up while sleeping or raise the head of the crib or sleeping area. Make sure baby's head is above baby's tummy.

Burp your baby during and after feedings. You should burp your baby after every one to two ounces of milk or formula. For moms that are breast feeding, be sure to burp baby before switching sides. Babies do not have a fully developed digestive system for the first year. Parents or caregivers have to help baby burp. Air will sit in their stomachs and cause acid reflux, especially while lying flat asleep.

Do not overfeed baby. If you overfeed your baby, and he or she goes to sleep, it could be dangerous. Overeating causes acid reflux. To prevent acid reflux in your baby, make sure he or she is not overeating before going to sleep.

Try to keep your baby awake when feeding him or her. When a baby is asleep, he or she may not know they are full. Babies automatically suckle in their sleep and can easily overeat. They will also get air in their stomachs, and the parents may have a hard time burping the sleeping baby.

As an adult, acid reflux can be prevented with medication. Babies are sensitive to medicine, but if acid reflux is persistent, the pediatrician can recommend gas relievers for babies. Gas relief products, such as Mylicon or Gas Drops, help relieve acid reflux in babies. Before using gas relief products, talk to your pediatrician. There may be other ways to relieve your baby's acid reflux or gas.

If your baby is old enough for solid food, make sure not to feed him or her gas-producing foods before bedtime. This will prevent acid reflux from occurring while your baby is sleeping.

Gas was a problem for both of my children. Usually, it was so bad they could not sleep. When they did sleep it helped for me to rub their tummies. I would rub my daughter's stomach in a circle for her to sleep. If your baby can turn over, you may want to lay your baby on his or her tummy. The pressure on baby's tummy will relieve the gas while your baby sleeps.

Try to feed your baby at least two to three hours before bedtime so your sleeping baby will not have acid reflux. It is also important not to play with your baby immediately after he or she eats. You do not want to shake your baby's tummy up.

Acid reflux is a problem for adults as well as babies. Like an adult, relief for your baby may need to come from medicine. Consult your pediatrician if the acid reflux is persistent and troublesome.