Sleep Solutions for Reflux
Often referred to as colicky, unconsolable behavior, sometimes a baby who is a frequent waker at night and has a hard time settling back down to sleep isn’t doing it for hunger or attention, but because of a very real and uncomfortable physical sensation, called reflux.
Reflux, or GER, “gastro-intestinal reflux”, is also what we refer to as adults as heartburn. The immature esophageal tract of a baby can spasm and allow stomach acid to regurgitate, causing immense discomfort.
Sometimes, a baby with reflux will spit up an alarming amount, sometimes it just causes them to cry and act as though they’re in pain. Poor things! As you can imagine, GER is worse during the nighttime hours when a baby is sleeping. Why?
According to Dr. Sears, normal physiological changes that happen during sleep “can aggravate reflux”. Increase production of saliva and swallowing are almost absent during deep sleep, and this helps to dilute the acid in baby’s stomach and decrease inflammation of the esophagus.
Lying flat also can aggravate reflux, since it’s easier for the acid to travel up towards baby’s esophagus. Holding babies upright can greatly reduce the discomfort, but you can’t sleep with your baby up in a rocking chair all night! Here are a few real solutions that can assist with a baby with reflux.
As always, if you believe your child to have symptoms of GER, relief and severity can only be diagnosed by a medical provider.
Feed Baby More Frequently
Smaller, more frequent feeds can help your baby to digest the amount and empty food into the intestines more quickly, allowing for less aggravation while they’re asleep.
If Nursing, Continue!
Nursing is a great help for reflux. The enzymes in milk can create an ‘antacid’ effect in the esophagus, and since it’s more easily digested, creates less bowel obstruction and empties into the intestines quicker, it provides great relief over time from reflux.
Burp Baby
When feeding a baby prior to sleep, giving time to burp and help your baby keep air bubbles out of their tummy is helpful to keeping acid out of their esophagus as well.
After a Feeding, Rock Baby Upright
Keeping a baby up and still instead of bouncing about, using gentle rocking motions, can greatly reduce the cocktail for an acid reflux attack and help them to settle prior to sleep. Using a baby sling or rocking and setting a timer for optimum digestion, around half an hour or longer, can greatly improve symptoms prior to sleep.
Consider Pacifiers
Sometimes, a GER baby will want to suck for comfort. A pacifier can be a great soothing tool when a baby is done feeding to allow them to continue to calm and assist themselves while they sleep. Make sure the pacifier is developmentally appropriate so that your baby doesn’t swallow too much air!
Keep The Tummy Loose When Swaddling
Too tight clothes, or weights on the tummy with the swaddle blankets can create a greater amount of unrest if they are adding pressure on the esophagus, so be gentle in that area when dressing your baby for sleepy time.
Use Upright Positioners
Sometimes to stay asleep, a baby might need the support of a reflux wedge or an elevated crib. A rock n’ play, when used accordingly with directions from your pediatrician, can be a life saver for babies with severe reflux, as the angle that baby is placed can greatly lower their amount of discomfort during sleep.
With a few added tricks, your GER baby will be able to settle to sleep and sleep for longer stretches. Remember - reflux is a marathon, not a sprint. It will take some time for your baby to grow out of their reflux as their individual esophagus matures. Hang in there - and get some sleep relief and assistance when you can! Our infant care specialists are well trained on soothing babies with reflux, so if you’re arms are tired, ours can take a shift or two!
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