Relieve baby’s GERD: an effective parental tip

Reflux at Bébé: When food goes up …

Your baby regurgite often cries after meals, seems uncomfortable or sleeps badly, it is a safe bet that he suffers from a gastroesophageal reflux (RGO). This frequent phenomenon affects many infants during their first months of life, most often because of an Esophageal sphincter still immature, this small muscle which normally prevents food from going up towards the mouth. In most cases, GERD is benign, but it can quickly become a source of discomfort for the baby … and when baby suffers from GERD, fatigue and exhaustion never have far for parents. Well known to offer baby a feeling of safety and appeasement, physiological porting has several strings to its bow! In addition to offering the possible to keep baby against you at home or outside, the porting also has profits to babies suffering from gastroesophageal reflux.

Can porting really relieve RGOs?

Babies who suffer from GERD have difficulty withdrawing, which strengthens their bodily axis. In case of GERD, baby tends to throw himself backwards and to be hyperextension. If this posture has the advantage of not pressing her stomach, she tends to accentuate reflux and the discomfort felt, explains Chloé Ponsin, portage instructor, in her book I wear my baby (at Hatier Parents). Porting in the arms and when practiced in a physiological way, with a physiological baby carrier or a portage scarf, the portage allows you to keep baby in the vertical position, which is one of the first recommendations in the event of reflux, without. This natural posture limits acidic lifts and promotes better digestion. In addition, being brought against a parent has a soothing effect, which can reduce the crying and abdominal tensions. Less stress in your baby is also less digestive pain. The “cocooning” effect of the porting also promotes the relaxation of the nervous system, which can calm hypertonia sometimes linked to reflux (baby who cams or stretches). It is complementary support for possible treatments or food measures (depending on the advice of your pediatrician), and sometimes it is enough to clearly improve everyday life.

What porting position is the most suitable for a baby who suffers from reflux?

There are many positions for baby carriers but the position ventrale, Faced with the carrier, is the one to adopt in the event of reflux with your baby. It allows him to stay straight, with her back rounded up naturally and her head must remain well cleared just like his respiratory tract. The legs are in a “frog” or “m” position, without pressure on the belly. Avoid lying or too tilted positions: they can promote breeding of milk.

Which baby carrier or portage scarf to choose in case of GERD?

We recommend a physiological baby carrier (flexible and well adjustable) or a woven or extensible portage scarf. The important thing is that baby is well supported, without compression on the belly, and that the matter marries his body without forcing it. If you start, do not hesitate to be accompanied by a instructor. Porting, who will be able to guide you to install baby and execute the necessary nodes (with a escape).

Can we carry a baby right after feeding?

In general, it is better to wait 15 to 20 minutes after the late feeding, especially if baby is very subject to regurgitations. This allows the contents of the stomach to start stabilizing. But if your baby does not support the lying position after the meal, you can wear it immediately, provided you do it gently and install it well vertically, without exerting pressure on his belly.

Can portage replace treatment against GERD?

Portage has several benefits for the baby, even in case of GERD. However, it does not replace medical treatment, especially in case of severe or pathological GERD (growth disorders, esophagitis, etc.). But in many cases, it can reduce discomfort to the point of limiting medication needs or greatly improving baby comfort. It is a complementary, natural, soft and reassuring tool, which can change the situation. Ask your pediatrician.