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Most of the information in this area has been provided by Vicki Martin, Nutrition and Herbal Technical Consultant, Healtheries of New Zealand Limited. Some is suitable for use by infants or children, but others may only be suitable for adults. Please check the product information or consult a practitioner for more personalised advice. If you are unsure about using a product don’t use it until you have checked its safety with a reliable source. Please do not change or stop any treatment recommended by your paediatrician or doctor without consulting them first. Herbal and natural remedies for digestion, calming, breast-milk supply, depression etc, can be very effective in some cases, but a possible interaction with mainstream medications is often overlooked and can be harmful. Effectiveness of medications can be reduced or enhanced with unpredictable consequences. Please ensure all medications, natural or mainstream are prescribed/recommended/approved by a registered practitioner and administered using prescribed instructions. When discussing yours or your infant’s needs with your practitioner please ensure to mention all other treatments already being used.
Other natural and homeopathic products, information and links:
- About Herbs – Find out lots of information on specific herbs, botanicals and other products.
- Alcohol – Alcohol use by the breastfeeding mother may increase GORD in the infant but also is not recommended.
- Aloe Vera Juice – I can’t find any medical studies recommending this. Consult a registered practitioner. See http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69116.cfm#ProfessionalPurportedUses for some more information.
- Colostrum – I’m not entirely convinced about it’s usefulness in reflux, but it may work for some. A friend’s child had a good improvement with it, but Gem was wonderful for a week and after that she went back to how she had been previously.
- Dairy free diet
- Digestodoron Drops – Some have found this helpful. I note it contains salicylates which some children with reflux have a problem with.
- Foods – Fatty foods may worsen GORD. Whether or not they do in breastfeeding, I’m not sure. Other foods may also worsen reflux – Crying Over Spilt Milk Food Section – Food and Reflux – Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). URL:http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/#3. Accessed: 2010-08-23. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/5sC9GWYKC)
- Iberogast – This has been found helpful in same cases of GORD. I think it needs to be obtained through a practitioner. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberogast http://www.flordis.com.au/pages/products/iberogast.php
- Milk Supply - Fenugreek, Blessed thistle, Nursing Tea
- Naturo Pharm - another range of homeopathic remedies and information on homeopathy. The remedies that may be particularly useful for babies with gastric reflux include Calm-med and Colimed Relief.
- Positioning - Upright positioning helps decrease reflux after a feed. Crying Over Spilt Milk’s Medical Treatment section – Managing Uncomplicated Reflux and many other pages.
- Rhuger - Is a natural rhubarb and ginger medication for the treatment of reflux and colic in babies. There is a little more information about it on the Balmac Pharmacy website as well as contact information.
- Slippery Elm - Is something I often recommend but can’t find any medical evidence to support. A lot of parents have said they have found it useful. It is meant to coat the gut and reduce inflammation as well as being nutritious. See http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69381.cfm
- Smoking - Smoking may worsen GORD. Whether or not It does in breastfeeding, I’m not sure but it is recommended to stop smoking for other reasons also. - Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). URL:http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/#3. Accessed: 2010-08-23. (Archived by WebCite® at http://www.webcitation.org/5sC9GWYKC)
- Weleda Baby Colic Powder – This is helpful for some infants and contains which is particularly good for gastric reflux.
Obviously this list is not complete. Let us know of any other natural or homeopathic products you have found useful.
Written by Roslyn (Roz) Ballantyne (RN), Regional Coordinator and Jennifer Howard (Dip. Nat. Therapies) National Coordinator & Community Educator for © Crying Over Spilt Milk Gastric Reflux Support Network New Zealand for Parents of Infants and Children Charitable Trust 2004.
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