A Parent’s Guide to Infant Acid Reflux
Elimination Diets for Colic, Infant Reflux
Many pediatricians will suggest you cut out a few of the more obvious triggers such as dairy, soy, wheat, citrus, chocolate, caffeine and acidic foods to see if your baby improves. When you cut out a few items at a time it can take months to find the items your baby may be reacting to through your breastmilk. The quickest route to determining if your baby is reacting to items in your diet is to eliminate all but a few of the items in your diet for a period of two to four weeks. At that point you will be able to tell if your baby has improved or not and then can begin adding things back one at a time so you can find out for sure what the culprits may be. Two very good elimination diets can be found at www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t041200.asp and www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info/. Be sure to keep a food journal as you eliminate or add food back into your diet. If you are eliminating dairy be sure to read ingredient labels for “hidden” dairy. Whey, casein and sodium caseinate are also forms of dairy commonly used in processed foods. You can find food journals at www.PollywogBaby.com.
Breastfeeding
If you are having difficulty or pain with breastfeeding get help! Pain is a sure sign that your baby is not latched on correctly. www.lalecheleague.org is a volunteer organization with leaders in your area that can and will help you to breastfeed. Better yet, find a lactation consultant in your area that will help you and your baby in person. You can find an LC in your area by visiting www.ilca.org.
Infant Reflux Forums
You are not alone! There are many chat boards out there started by parents who feel just as you do. It’s helpful to “talk” to others who are going through exactly what you are. Some great chat sites can be found at www.infantreflux.org, www.infantrefluxdisease.com, www.reflux.org, and health.groups.yahoo.com/group/breastfeedingreflux. www.postpartum.net is a post partum resource for moms, dads and other family members experiencing post partum depression. They may have local chapters in your area.
Support Groups
Many areas have parenting support groups that meet several times monthly. Your pediatrician or mother’s programs at your area hospitals may be able to help you find support groups in your area. www.lalecheleague.org and www.infantreflux.org are also good places to look for local support groups. In Seattle see www.pepsgroup.org. If you can’t find one in your community consider starting one.
http://www.pollywogbaby.com/refluxandcolic/Living-with-Infant-Acid-Reflux.doc
