Best Baby Formula for Acid Reflux
Caring for your baby can be one of the best and scariest jobs you will ever have. If your baby has acid reflux or colic, it can be even more intense. Not to worry, these days do not last forever, and there are some things that you can do to help your child feel better. One thing you can do is to give your little on the best baby formula for acid reflux.
In this post…
Best Baby Formula for Acid Reflux
What is Acid Reflux (In Babies)
Best Baby Formula for Acid Reflux
The best formula for your baby’s acid reflux will depend on your baby’s needs. However, there are some formulas that you can try first. Be sure that you consult with your doctor to come up with a plan for how to proceed. It is a good idea to present the doctor with your suggested plan so he or she can advise you of any changes that should be made.
Enfamil AR (Acid Reflux)
This formula is designed for children with acid reflux. Like other formulas, it is made from a cow’s milk base. Switching should not present new allergies if this is the reason for the reflux is not allergy related.
Enfamil Prosobee
This formula is soy-based. This formula can be helpful for children who may be allergic to cow’s milk, thereby exacerbating the reflux. If an allergy is the problem, your doctor may want to switch your baby anyway.
Similac for Reflux
This formula is similar to the Enfamil AR. It is designed to help with reflux but is still based on a cow’s milk formula.
Similac Sensitive Non-GMO
For parents concerned with giving their children GMOs in their formula, this can be a perfect alternative. Not only is it GMO-free, but it is also designed for sensitive stomachs.
Goats Milk Formulas—Formulas containing goat’s milk might be a good alternative if the problem is cow’s milk. However, be sure that the issue is not the animal proteins, though, because goat’s milk is not going to fix that. Discuss this option with your doctor first, though, because it is very different from the other formulas.
Specialty formulas can be challenging to find. You might have to get a prescription for some items as well. In addition, your insurance might pay for specialty formulas. Hypoallergenic formulas can also be beneficial, but like the goat’s milk, it should be discussed with your doctor first.
What is Acid Reflux (in Babies)
Sometimes babies have acid reflux, which causes excessive spitting up after a bottle. It is normal for babies to spit up after eating. Air bubbles sometimes get trapped in the stomach or esophagus, causing your baby to spit up some of their breastmilk or formula. This is perfectly normal. However, there are times that babies who are not otherwise sick will have more than just a little spit up after eating. This is often characterized by projectile spitting up, which is increased quantity as well.
Stomach acid builds up in the baby’s stomach just as it would in an adult’s stomach. Rather than causing heartburn like adults to feel, the burping will expel the milk from the stomach. The flap between the esophagus and stomach is a bit underdeveloped at birth, which is why most babies spit up at least some. The air in the stomach will force milk above it out of the tiny esophagus. But as the baby grows, this will stop. However, children with reflux will feel discomfort with spitting up, and it is often in larger quantities, as previously stated.
Mild acid reflux may need no intervention. Sometimes we all produce a little more acid than we should, and we just need to slow down when we eat or change positions. However, more severe reflux can cause damage to the esophagus. If you notice that your child is crying or fussy after a bottle or breastfeeding, but they don’t fuss much at other times, this can signal a problem. Be sure that you talk to your doctor before making changes to your child’s diet. Most of the time, it should be fine, but your doctor needs to know what changes you are making in case additional interventions become necessary as well.
Benefits of Using an Acid Reflux Formula
Formulas have changed significantly over the years. Forty or fifty years ago, there were limited options for children with allergies, reflux, or digestive issues. Nowadays, there are infant formulas specially designed to help babies with reflux. They are gentler on the stomach. Lactose intolerance, milk allergies, and other food intolerances can exacerbate acid reflux. It can also be the trigger at times. Changing the baby to an alternative formula may also be more beneficial.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Looking for an Acid Reflux Formula
When looking to change your baby’s formula, there are many things to consider. However, it does not have to be a complicated endeavor. Here are a few things you can ask yourself:
- Have I spoken to my doctor? Doctors are usually more educated on formulas and what might help individual cases.
- Can I afford specialty formulas? Changing formulas can be incredibly expensive. The formula is not cheap, to begin with, so switching to a specialty formula can be cost-prohibitive. Your baby is of utmost importance, but you should be able to afford to feed them.
- Have I tried other alternatives? Changing formula can be beneficial, but it does not have to be the first option. You can often find alternative methods of treating reflux.
Other Ways to Help Acid Reflux
You may be able to help your child’s reflux through natural methods without changing the formula. There are also other things you might try before making that change.
- Change the eating position—babies with reflux often find that sitting up after a meal is more comfortable and prevents milk from moving back into the esophagus.
- Sit up after a meal—thirty minutes of upright sitting/ holding may help your child after eating.
- Wedge at bedtime—using a sleep wedge at bedtime might help your child during sleep while the formula digests.
- Medications—If changing the formula does not work, some medications may help. Just as adults may take medications such as Prilosec, there are also medications approved for infants.
- Smaller, more frequent meals—rather than feeding eight ounces every four hours, six ounces every three hours might work better.
Final Thoughts
Treating reflux in your child might take several changes before you find what works best. However, you also might find that it just takes time. Babies often outgrow reflux as their bodies develop more. Team up with your child’s doctor to find the best baby formula for acid reflux. You can do this.
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