Parents of infants with acid reflux disease always want to know the best positioning for eating, sleep and play. Positioning is a simple, low cost treatment attractive to parents when faced with the other treatment options such as medication and expensive formula.
But it’s not always so simple. Keep in mind that positioning may be the only treatment needed for the baby with Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) who spits up often but is otherwise healthy. A baby with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) may greatly benefit from positioning to promote digestion and decrease reflux events but may also require other treatments such as medication and a special diet. So, be sure to ask your doctor for advice before trying any new treatment, including positioning.
Two studies provide new insights
The Journal of Pediatrics just published new research on the effect of positioning a baby after mealtime and the number of reflux events. This type of research is important because parents and doctors have a hunch that positioning is important but, up to now, there’s been little research to confirm the theory. The new research may guide doctors in developing new treatment approaches and decrease the need for medication.
Study 1: In one study, the researchers measured the acid levels in premature infants using an impedance test (a test to detect acid and non acid reflux) just after a meal and then an hour later. They found that the infants’ stomachs emptied faster when they were placed on their right side. Then when the baby was moved to the left side one hour after a meal, reflux episodes decreased rapidly.
In this study, the researcher concluded that laying babies on the right side just after a meal and then moving them to left side one hour later decreased reflux.
Study 2: In the second study, the researchers studied premature infants with a diagnosis of reflux using impedance testing to measure acid and non-acid reflux events. Researchers observed the infants in four positions: back, stomach, left side and right side. They noted reflux episodes just after a meal and later after the meal had been digested. They found that stomach and left side positioning decreased reflux events. Further, left side positioning provided the lowest acid exposure after a meal and stomach positioning provided the lowest acid exposure later after a meal had been digested.
In this study, the researchers concluded that placing a baby with reflux on the stomach or left side after a meal was useful to decrease acid events.
Finding what works for your baby
Confused? You’re not alone. As a parent of a baby with reflux, it is confusing to sort out all of the treatment recommendations and advice from friends and family about the best way to hold your baby. You have probably used trial and error to find a way to hold your baby to decrease fussing and crying. It may not work each time and you might have a few different positions that have the best chance for success.
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