Can My Baby Sleep Well with Acid Reflux?

Did you know that over half of all babies spit up regularly? It’s super common and usually nothing to worry about. However, if you feel like eating/spitting up is causing pain, you may want to talk to your doctor about acid reflux.

Common Acid Reflux Symptoms

  1. Arching their back while feeding⁣⁣⠀⠀

  2. Crying during and after feedings⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  3. Acidic spit up⁣ (it smells strong!)⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  4. Pulls away often while eating⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  5. Sudden fussiness (it usually develops around 6-8 weeks, but every baby is different!)⁣⁣

My oldest two babies had terrible acid reflux. Both of them were on medication for the first year or so of their life and it made a world of difference!⁣⁣ They still spit up like crazy, but they were “happy spitters” after starting the medicine because they were no longer in pain.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

And guess what? They still slept through the night like champs!⁣⁣ Yes, babies with acid reflux can still learn to sleep.

How to Help Your Baby with Acid Reflux

  1. Feed before bedtime routine, not after.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  2. Feed propped up, not laying flat. ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  3. Keep them sitting up for 30 minutes after eating. ⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  4. Burp. Burp. Burp. Burp. Burp. And burp again. (See my burping highlight on Instagram!)⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  5. Try a sensitive formula, if on formula.⁣⁣⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

  6. If you’re worried about the pain, discuss options with your pediatrician. Prilosec and Prevacid saved us!⁣⁣⠀

Although acid reflux can be a really tough condition to deal with, remember that this will not last forever.

You’re not alone!

Jessalyn