Feeding A Newborn/Infant with Reflux Determining what to feed an infant with reflux can be a frustrating task. Some reports indicate that breastfeeding an infant with reflux can lessen the negative affects of reflux. However, breastfeeding is not always an option. As a parent, you have to decide what method of feeding works best for you; there is no right or wrong choice. Give each formula (change) a good two weeks. It takes time for the built up ‘offending’ proteins to work themselves out of your baby’s system and, it can take up to two weeks to see the full effects of the new formula. In general, with all things reflux, two weeks seems to be the time it takes to see a change…
Formula
There are so many formulas on the market today. Trying to determine which formula you need and comparing between brands can be confusing. Check out the Feeding section of the forum (use the search, once you’re in the forum) for more information on the formulas available and which ones help with infant reflux. Why might your baby need a specialty formula? For some babies, reflux and protein intolerances go hand in hand. What is an Intolerance? What is an allergy? This is the BEST Explanation about food intolerances vs. allergies (after you click this, wait one second for the site to bring you to exactly the correct place on the page). Your baby might be ok with soy formula. Some are, that’s why it remains on the market! “Even though soy-based artificial baby milks may be less allergenic for some babies, between 30 and 50 percent of infants who are allergic to cow’s milk are also allergic to soy.” Research and be the best advocate you can be for your baby.
Hydrolyzed Formulas
What do you look at to know/decide that your baby might need a specialty formula?: poop, gas and skin (rashes: eczema, cradle cap). Where to start? Research and discuss with your doctor! Some babies seem to do better with the ready-to-feed varieties, perhaps because these tend to be corn-free. Read labels and ask questions of your doctor, and of others here, on this forum. Search the forum for what past-posters had to say.
Elemental Formulas
These are amino acid-based formulas. These are usually the ‘next step,’ after a trial of a hydrolyzed formula. HOW NEOCATE AND ELECARE WORK: After you read this, please make sure to scroll down to read the second part; this is a forum thread (string of posts) regarding common misconceptions about how these elemental formulas work. While you’re in the forum, feel free to surf, and search, around! Dr. Putnum is a world-renowned Pediatric Gastroenterologist, known for his work in FPIES (Food Protein Induced Enterocolltis Syndrome). This information is NOT placed here to scare you! Knowledge is power: Learn about FPIES and read this article by Dr. Putnum, for more information.
Bottle Aversion/Baby not Interested in Feeding
What if your baby is refusing to eat/is difficult to feed? Make sure her/his pain is addressed by proper medication: dose, form, and administration. Is it ‘mechanically’ difficult for your baby to eat? Have your baby checked for a tongue tie and a lip tie, as this can affect eating. You can also get your baby’s mechanics of sucking/swallowing checked out by a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who can conduct a Swallow Study which also checks for aspiration. Something else to consider is Delayed Gastric Emptying (DGE), also known as gastroparesis. This is when the stomach doesn’t empty as it should, so your baby may be feeling full when it’s time to eat. There is a test for this called a Gastric Emptying Scan. If your baby is choking, gagging, gulping and refusing to feed, a SLP can check for dysphagia. If you are desperate, ask your doctor about Sulcralfate (Carafate): it helps protect and coat the lining of the esophagus, stomach and upper small intestine by shielding their exposure to stomach acid, so that healing can occur.
THICKENING BOTTLES: Yay or Nay? Your doctor might tell you to thicken your baby’s bottles. This is up to you. This advice is controversial; it tends be ‘old-fashioned’ and would make me wonder what other old-fashioned notions your doctor subscribes to… Research! You decide! Some parents, and doctors, swear by it. The theory is that by making the formula ‘heavier,’ then it has more of a chance to stay down. But what if your baby has silent reflux? Good question! But what about the fact that your baby already has an overly sensitive digestive system? Good question! What if you suspect food intolerances, is baby cereal safe? Good question! What if your baby needs the extra calories because s/he keeps spitting everything up and can’t gain weight? Well, your doctor would be working with you, and perhaps a nutritionist, to fortify the formula with extra calories, with a prescribed ratio for extra formula/water. What about thickening because your baby is aspirating as s/he feeds? There’s a test for this called a Swallow Study. After the test, the SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) (which sounds odd, since infants don’t produce speech, however, it’s the mechanics of the suck/swallow that SLPs address in infants) will work with you and your doctor and prescribe a very specific thickness/consistency that has a particular name, for example: ‘nectar.’ If your baby is choking, gulping and gagging, a SLP can check for dysphagia. You can also have your baby checked for tongue and/or lip-tie, which
Article: Lack of efficacy of thickened feeding as treatment for gastroesophageal reflux
Feeding An Infant/Toddler with Reflux Solid Foods
Once you overcome the initial trials of feeding an newborn with reflux, you will soon have to switch gears and start giving her solids. This can be a scary transition for a lot of parents. Check out search function in the forums, using key words starting solids for more information on how to survive this transition and what foods are best for an infant or toddler with reflux. Breastfeeding (click for the breastfeeding page) Search the Internet and you will find site after site promoting the benefits of breastfeeding your infant. Unfortunately, breastfeeding is not always an option, but if you are able to breastfeed your child, it may help with your infant’s reflux. Check out the Feeding section of the forum (use the search, once you are in the forum) for more information on how to breastfeed an infant with reflux and how it might help your infant’s reflux.
NOTE: The information on this page is not exhaustive and complete accuracy is not guaranteed. Please consult your doctor with any questions you may have regarding the treatment of your child.
