Feeding – Ideas from Parents | Crying Over Spilt Milk

IN GENERAL…

Ideally, reflux babies should have smaller, frequent feeds. Try to keep baby in an inclined position whilst feeding and for half to one hour after.
If breastfeeding try feeding in the twins’ position or sit the older child up on your lap or by straddling his/her legs around your hips.
If bottle feeding, try as above or try sitting infant in a highchair, pram or baby chair.
It may be helpful to thicken feeds. Have you tried Karicare Food Thickener? Or if you are bottle-feeding, using rice cereal or a pre thickened formula (Karicare AR or S-26 AR) may also be appropriate.
Depending on the age of the baby, a spoonful of solids after a milk feed may also help to keep the feed down.
Juice drinks and some fruits can aggravate the problems associated with reflux.
Some children do best when they feed themselves with finger foods.

FOR DIFFICULT FEEDERS, HAVE YOU TRIED…

Feeding whilst rocking, humming, ‘sshing’, singing, standing and rocking gently, any monotonous rhythmical pattern?
Having a dummy in, taking it out and quickly replacing with breast, teat, or spoonful of solids?
Feeding when baby is half asleep e.g. immediately on waking, or rock baby to sleep before feeding?
Using distractions whilst feeding e.g. threaded beads, mobiles, animal sounds, television?
Feeding in a quiet room or with soft music? Even talking may disturb this baby.
Feeding during the night when infant is asleep (avoid turning on lights, changing or disturbing the infant unduly)?
Some babies only like one flavour a meal; others feed better if you change flavour several times.
Do not worry if your infant will only take a limited variety of foods. This will improve as the reflux improves.
Some infants improve with the early introduction of solids. Others do not cope with solids at all and are far happier on milk alone.
If baby is distressed and continues to fight feeds, return to your doctor.

COMFORT FEEDERS…

These babies want to suck all day. Many mums have found that trying to get a comfort feeder into a routine improves the situation.
Feeding too often e.g. hourly, does not give sufficient time for the stomach to empty, thus increasing the incidence of reflux.
Perhaps try gradually to increase the time between feeds. Check weight gain regularly.