second technique is to take your index and middle fingers and in a
scissors hold, control the initial flow of milk during your letdown. Third,
when your letdown begins, direct the initial spray into a towel, and then
bring your baby back to your breast.
- To help reduce spitting up, avoid overfeeding at any one time. In the
case of reflux, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests not offering
another feeding after a child spits up, but rather waiting until the next
feeding. - Bottle-fed babies can have their formula thickened. (Common
recommendations include 1 tablespoon of rice cereal per 1 ounce of
formula, but parents should check with their pediatrician first.) This will
necessitate carefully opening the hole of the nipple to allow the formula
mixture to flow easily. - If you are giving your baby medications (as instructed by your
pediatrician), remember to ask about the possible side effects. Some
medications can give babies stomach cramps, which may appear as colic. - When changing your baby’s diaper, take care not to pull it too tight, as
this can also put unnecessary pressure on his tummy.
Sleeping
Sleep can be nearly impossible when a baby is waking up screaming 45-
minutes into his sleep cycle. It is very difficult for these babies to
establish a predictable sleep routine. For some PDF babies with reflux,
the nighttime stretch seems to be less affected; for others, it is very
affected. Here are some helpful hints.
- Consider swaddling your baby when putting him down for a nap. To
avoid excessive crying try to find ways to help settle your baby. This may
include offering a pacifier or changing his sleeping position.