natural remedy for reflux in 2 mo old?

[rollergirl]

(nak)

my sweet little guy has a little bit of reflux/indigestion. mostly just first thing in the a.m. after nursing/sleeping on his back all night long. is there anything i could do for him to help out? he wakes up grunting and farting (cute and normal, i know), but also he gags a lot and very occasionally throws up. the gagging seems to bother him, so i'd love any tips on how to help him out. i don't want to do zantac or other meds -- i don't think it's that severe. i'm not even sure about gripe water. but i don't really know if there's anything else out there except waiting for him to grow out of it.

TIA!

[sbgrace]

We did a tucker sling so my son could sleep with his head elevated higher than his tummy.

[balancedmama]

I would make sure it's not anything you are eating that he is intolerant to.

[kjbrown92]

we used gripe water while we were figuring out what DD2 was sensitive to (through you).

[pumpkinhead]

I'd do Zantac before I did gripe water unless it's bicarb free gripe water. Sodium bicarbonate will reduce stomach acid by neutralizing acid and increasing stomach pH, but the body responds by making more acid so you can get what is called "rebound acidity". Zantac is a proton pump inhibitor and a histamine blocker so it actually turns off the receptors and the pumps that make acid in the stomach.

You can try consuming a less acidic diet yourself. Dairy is a big culprit, but you might also consider cutting out citrus and any kid of fruit juice.

[nycmom18]

along with other suggestions, i would give him a daily probiotic and try a gentle chiropractor if you feel safe with that. we use natures sunshine bifidoholous flora and i just sprinkle a capsule in my sons mouth every day. maybe half a capsule for a little one. i used this on my son since 1 week old.

[tylerdylan]

My DS has severe reflux and ended up being allergic to dairy and soy in my milk (had to do an elimination diet to figure this out). It wasn't easy, but removing all traces of those from diet completely cured his reflux. He outgrew the allergies at 11 months old.

[neveryoumindthere]

Our ds had severe reflux, we did chiropractic care which helped a LOT, some acupressure points we learned from a TCM doctor and also chinese herbs prescribed by her as well.

If I were to do it again I'd go straight to the TCM doc as that 'cured' it within a few days, rather than just help alleviate it.

[pianojazzgirl]

Ok, I know it sounds a little "out there", but I have friends who swear by Hazelwood necklaces to help with reflux and teething. Apparently it somehow reduces the acidity level in the body. At any rate they're cheap and not likely to be harmful in any way, so worth a try, IMO!

[ammiga]

I would take him to a cranial osteopath. Works wonders with GERD and colic.

[JessicaS]

I tried everything (I am allergic to dairy so I don't eat it anyways) and ended up giving my child Zantaz. Reflux is pretty common with babies with his genetic condition. He was just too uncomfortable

[rollergirl]

thanks so much everyone! there are a lot of great ideas on here. i don't eat dairy or much citrus, but we're vegan so i eat a decent amount of soy. that could contribute i agree, although when i did an elimination diet (soy) for two weeks i didn't really see much of an improvement. probably i should go longer, but it's a pain since soy is a pretty big part of our diet to completely cut out (since beans, for example, give him major gas, and i DO cut those out).
i do particularly like the idea of the hazelwood necklace. i'm thinking of getting him an amber one anyway for teething soon.
i also have a great acupuncturist that, duh, i probably should have thought to take him to right away!
thanks, mamas, as always your wisdom and your generosity with it is so deeply appreciated.

[JessicaS]

Do you eat much broccoli or cabbage? My son really had problems when I ate those

[rollergirl]

i don't eat any beans except chickpeas and lentils (those seem to be okay), only onions that are super cooked down by me personally (and i limit those in our diet), and no cabbage or cauliflower. i do eat some broccoli, but it seems to be okay. no asparagus. but that is because all of these things make him fart a lot and painfully -- it's harder for me to tell with reflux since it's so mild. i should keep a food log vs the mornings when he throws up, poor little guy. it seems to be getting a little better every week, though, thankfully.