How to Help Babies with Silent Reflux Sleep
Silent reflux occurs when stomach acid rises up into the esophagus and is then swallowed back down. Alternately, the acid may rise part of the way into the esophagus, only to recede again. This is especially painful to a baby as it burns the throat as it travels back down. Silent reflux can cause a baby to wake up frequently at night and cry endlessly for seemingly no reason. If you suspect your baby has silent reflux, there are some things you can do to help her sleep.
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Things You'll Need
- Phone books to prop up a mattress, other thick books or blocks of wood
- Baby swing
- Car seat
Instructions
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Let the baby sleep sitting up. Being in the upright position not only helps the baby burp easier, but gravity works to keep the stomach acid down where it belongs. Many parents let their babies with silent reflux sleep in the car seat, or they prop up the mattress of the crib or cot so that the baby's head is higher than his feet. For babies with severe reflux, the doctor may recommend they sleep on their stomach at a 30 degree angle. Babies without reflux should be put to sleep on their backs.
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Burp her more frequently. When she wakes up crying, immediately put her on your shoulder and burp her even though she has not been feeding. This will help get rid of excess gas, and she may go right back to sleep after the burp.
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Purchase a gentle swing, and let her sleep in it. Adjust the seat so that her head is higher than her feet and set it on a gently swinging (front and back) motion. The motion of the swing may help her burp and pass gas, which in turn will reduce the reflux.
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Talk to your doctor. There are many medications that can be used to treat reflux. These vary by the age of the baby and how serious the condition is, so an evaluation, usually involving an X-ray, must be done before any medication is prescribed.
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Tips & Warnings
Frequent bouts of spit-ups, sour breath and fussiness after eating are symptoms of reflux.
Unexplained crying and other symptoms of reflux or other illnesses should always be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit baby sleep image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com
