Reflux

The Oxford Dictionary defines reflux as 'the flowing back of bodily fluid.' This can be experienced as a small amount of milk, or a projectile posset which is generally of a bigger quantity and delivered with more force. All newborns posset as a normal process. However, frequent projectile or large quantities of refluxing after the majority of feeds is not normal.  It indicates feeding and winding practices need to be adjusted.

Overfeeding, feeding a newborn beyond their biological capacities and capabilities, contributes greatly to mass refluxing. These days, gravely for our young, parents are widely taught feeding practices that push the newborn and infants system beyond what it can process comfortably. Practices like ‘cluster feeding’, ‘block feeding,’ ‘early introduction, or too much variety of solid food’ and ‘frequent feeding’, which I define as feeding a baby before three-and-a-half hours, all contribute to Digestive Overload.

Parents are also told that ‘you can’t overfeed a breastfed baby,’ or that ‘newborns have small stomachs so you have to feed them often.’ But neither of these statements are actually true when we come from the perspective of biology. Additionally, we also have formula companies suggesting amounts on their products that are at times above what the child can digest comfortably at different ages. All of these things, and more contribute to the cause of reflux while creating baby and infant obesity.

Ingested wind is another catalyst for refluxing. When newborns swallow air it sits amongst and under the milk. This air pushes the milk out – with or without the wind that created the posset. The more wind a newborn holds, the more often and projectile is the refluxing. To counteract any possibility of weight loss, or believing bubs must still be hungry from their communication, some parents feed more, but unless the wind is released the problem persists. Retained wind then continues through the intestine causing discomfort and distressed communication.  The bringing up of acid is a bi-product from the overload of ingested air and overfeeding. Like us, it can make newborns uncomfortable. But it is the overabundance of retained wind left to travel through the intestines that causes the majority of distressed communication. Combat the wind and you reduce and often eliminate reflux – or what I call Digestive Overload the cause of these symptoms.

Tongue and lip ties also contribute to reflux because baby often has to adjust their natural suck reflex, which then has them taking in more air as they feed, increasing the amount of air in the stomach that can then force the milk upward.

Note: Some newborns, with excessive posseting and loss of weight, may have a more serious, rare issue called Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD or GERD). This rare disease cannot be healed naturally. However some babies and infants are wrongly diagnosed with this disease when they actually have Gastroesophageal Reflux (GOR/GER) which can be healed naturally through the solutions of BabyCues. If baby is spilling milk but is gaining good weight (20-25grams, .7-.8ozs a day) or above this, then they do not have GORD/GERD and my services are perfect for you, and if I think otherwise I will certainly let you know and refer you to the appropriate health professional.