Is adding rice cereals to bottles for infants with acid reflux a good idea?
At times, you may feel powerless as a parent of a baby with acid reflux.Babies spend most of their days eating.The food in your child's stomach goes back up into the esophagus, causing a host of uncomfortable symptoms.Discuss your child's condition with your doctor.He may tell you to make your baby's formula or breast milk sweeter.
Most babies spit up frequently throughout the day, but they usually stop doing so between 12 and 14 months.Spitting up is caused by the underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter.It isn't strong enough to prevent stomach contents from regurgitating.It is not a concern if your baby is gaining weight on schedule.If your baby vomits, coughs or gags and refuses to eat or gain weight, contact your doctor.
Babies are less likely to spit up formula that has been altered.For every 2 ounces of baby formula, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends that parents add 1 ounce of rice cereal.If you want the formula to still flow, purchase larger nipple sizes for bottles.Pre-thickened formulas can also be purchased.If you want to avoid the increase inCarbohydrate calories that you get from adding rice cereal, then these formulas are for you.
If your baby is going to sleep, place him in a semi-reclined position on his stomach for 30 minutes after each feeding.Babies should be put on their backs when sleeping.Feed your baby small, frequent meals to prevent him from gaining weight.You can pace your baby's feedings by burping him after every 1 to 2 ounces.Speak to your doctor if your baby's symptoms don't improve.A small number of infants may need medication to alleviate acid reflux.
If your baby is less than 3 months old, you should not introduce rice cereal.Breastfeeding is your baby's only source of nutrition for the first 6 months.Your baby needs time to mature before it can handle anything other than formula or breast milk.You protect your child from illness if you wait until 6 months.