Baby spit-up and reflux can be stressful for parents, especially when it seems like your baby is uncomfortable after feeding. Common signs of infant reflux can include frequent spit-up, fussiness during or after feeds, arching the back, hiccups, coughing, gagging, or pulling away from the breast or bottle.
Some amount of spit-up is normal in babies because their digestive systems are still developing. However, frequent or severe symptoms may need to be evaluated by your baby’s pediatrician.
If you’re looking for natural ways to help with baby acid reflux, there are several feeding and lifestyle strategies that may help reduce discomfort. Here are tips parents can consider.
6 Natural Remedies for Baby Acid Reflux
1. Keep Your Baby Upright During and After Feedings
Keeping your baby upright during and after feeding may help reduce spit-up for some babies. When breastfeeding, try positioning your baby so their head and upper body are slightly elevated while maintaining a safe, comfortable feeding position.
If your baby takes a bottle, make sure they are positioned comfortably and avoid feeding too quickly. Burping your baby during and after a feeding may also help reduce swallowed air and gas.
After feeding, hold your baby upright for a short period before placing them down.
2. Follow Safe Sleep Practices
It may be tempting to elevate your baby’s mattress or use a sleep positioner when reflux is a concern. However, babies should always sleep flat on their backs on a firm, flat sleep surface.
Do not place wedges, pillows, positioners, or other products under your baby or in the crib to treat reflux. Even babies with reflux should follow recommended safe-sleep practices.
If you are concerned about your baby’s reflux while sleeping, talk with your pediatrician about safe options.
3. Consider Whether Your Diet Affects Breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding and your baby has persistent reflux symptoms, you may wonder whether something in your diet is contributing to the problem.
In some cases, a baby may have a sensitivity or allergy to a protein in a breastfeeding parent’s diet. However, eliminating multiple foods at once can make it difficult to identify a potential trigger and may unnecessarily restrict your diet.
Rather than eliminating dairy, wheat, soy, or other foods on your own, talk with your baby’s pediatrician or a registered dietitian about whether an elimination diet is appropriate.
4. Talk With Your Pediatrician Before Trying Gripe Water or Supplements
Gripe water and herbal teas are sometimes promoted as natural remedies for infant gas, colic, or reflux. However, these products are not a proven treatment for infant reflux, and some ingredients may not be appropriate for young babies.
Similarly, probiotics are often marketed for digestive health, but research on probiotics for infant reflux is still developing.
Before giving your baby gripe water, herbal products, probiotics, or any supplement, check with your pediatrician. Babies have different nutritional and digestive needs than older children and adults.
5. Pay Attention to Feeding Habits
Feeding habits can sometimes contribute to spit-up. Depending on your baby’s age and feeding routine, your pediatrician may recommend changes such as:
- Offering smaller, more frequent feeds
- Avoiding overfeeding
- Burping your baby during and after feeds
- Making sure your baby is properly positioned during feeding
- Allowing enough time for your baby to finish feeding without rushing
If your baby frequently spits up, your pediatrician can help determine whether changes to feeding volume, frequency, or technique may be helpful.
6. Consider Pediatric Chiropractic Care as a Complementary Approach
Some parents consider pediatric chiropractic care when looking for complementary approaches for infant reflux or frequent spit-up.
Research on chiropractic care for infant reflux is limited, so it should not be presented as a proven treatment or replacement for medical care. If you are considering chiropractic care for your baby, discuss it with your pediatrician and choose a provider who has appropriate training and experience working with infants.
At Active Life Chiropractic, pediatric care is focused on gentle, age-appropriate techniques. Our team can also help parents understand when symptoms may warrant evaluation by a pediatrician.
When Should You Call Your Baby’s Pediatrician About Reflux?
Occasional spit-up is common in infants, but some symptoms may require medical evaluation. Contact your baby’s pediatrician if you are concerned about reflux or if your baby has symptoms such as:
- Poor weight gain or difficulty gaining weight
- Refusing to eat or frequent feeding difficulties
- Persistent or severe vomiting
- Forceful or projectile vomiting
- Green or yellow vomit
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Significant coughing, choking, or breathing difficulties
- Severe or persistent irritability
- Signs of dehydration
If your baby is having trouble breathing, turning blue, or experiencing another emergency, seek immediate medical attention.
Helping Your Baby With Reflux
Baby reflux can be frustrating, but occasional spit-up is often a normal part of infancy. Paying attention to feeding habits, keeping your baby upright after feeds, and following safe-sleep recommendations can help you manage everyday spit-up.
If your baby has frequent, severe, or concerning symptoms, talk with your pediatrician to determine whether additional evaluation is needed.
If you’re interested in learning more about pediatric chiropractic care, contact Active Life Chiropractic to learn more about care for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do naturally for my baby’s acid reflux?
Keeping your baby upright during and after feeds, reviewing feeding habits, and working with your pediatrician to identify potential food sensitivities may help manage reflux symptoms. Always follow safe-sleep recommendations and avoid using sleep positioners or elevating your baby’s mattress.
Is gripe water safe for babies with reflux?
Gripe water is commonly marketed for infant gas and digestive discomfort, but it is not a proven treatment for reflux. Talk with your pediatrician before giving gripe water or other herbal products to your baby.
Can chiropractic care help baby acid reflux?
Some parents seek pediatric chiropractic care as a complementary approach for infant reflux, but evidence supporting chiropractic care as a treatment for reflux is limited. It should not replace evaluation or treatment from your baby’s pediatrician.