1. Sleeping Adjustments
Babies with acid reflux often have difficulty sleeping. In fact, an incorrect sleeping position as well as timing can worsen their condition and make them fussier.
Keep the head of your baby’s crib, bassinet or bed elevated by about 30 degrees with the help of some towels. When your baby’s upper body is elevated, gravity does its work and prevents the stomach contents from reverting back into the esophagus.
sleep adjustments to reduce acid reflux
You can even try to make your baby sleep on their back or left side to help clear acid from the esophagus.
Never feed your baby while he or she is in a sleeping position. It is always better to have your baby sit upright on your lap while nursing, and don’t lay your baby down immediately after feeding.
Hold your baby upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding.
2. Massage Therapy
Regular massage helps improve functioning of the respiratory and digestive systems in babies.
Massage stimulates the vagus nerve, the nerve in the brain that controls various regions of the respiratory and digestive systems. It even helps the body develop more quickly so that each and every body part starts operating more effectively sooner.
massage therapy for babies
A 2014 study published in Biological Research for Nursing reports that massage helps reduce symptoms in infants suffering from GERD.
Massage even helps improve cognitive ability, reduce crying and aid sleeping.
- Put your baby in a lying position.
- Apply some warm olive or coconut oil on your baby’s stomach.
- Gently massage the stomach in a clockwise direction for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Then, massage the back gently for 2 minutes.
- Finally, massage the hands and legs with long, firm strokes.
- Repeat 2 or 3 times daily.
Note: Do not massage your baby immediately after a feeding.
