Anti-regurgitation bottle: taking care of your baby

ARTICLE SUMMARY :

• Symptoms of regurgitation
• Regurgitation: should you be worried?
• Anti-regurgitation bottle: the ideal solution to combat this scourge
• Complementary solutions to the anti-regurgitation bottle
• Elhée at the service of babies

Symptoms of regurgitation 

• Clenched fists
• Tense belly
• Intense screaming and crying
• Tense, red face

Regurgitation: should you be worried?

Regurgitation is nothing to worry about. If the spit-up does not present a dubious appearance (blood, mucus, explosive color) and is not prolonged are not prolongedyou can rest easy once your baby is comforted. 

Regurgitation affects 25 to 40% of newborns. So it's likely that yours is one of them. 

If in doubt, never rely entirely on reading content on the Internet, and consult a healthcare professional. A diagnosis can establish that the cause of vomiting is indeed the one mentioned in our article. 

Regurgitation can be mistaken for GERD, which is painful for babies and requires prompt medical attention.

However, regurgitation in babies can affect sleep quality and make them grumpy. That's why it's important to take the problem seriously, so you can relieve your baby's discomfort without panicking.

Anti-regurgitation bottle: the ideal solution to combat this scourge

Although spit-up is not a serious phenomenon, it is still unpleasant for your baby and worrying for young parents. 

Opt for a anti-regurgitation bottle to considerably reduce the symptoms of gastric reflux. These bottles are designed to limit air intake when your baby sucks. 

Some have a valve at the bottom of the bottle. Although this system can be completely disassembled, it can prove time-consuming during the cleaning phase, due to the multitude of components to be recomposed. 

The texture of the bottle also plays an essential role. A bottle with a soft silicone texture allows better air circulation, making it 2x more effective than a rigid plastic or glass bottle.

The nipple also has an important role to play: The flow rate of the nipple must be adapted to the density of the liquid in the bottle, so as not to "overwhelm" the child during feeding. If the flow rate is too high, more air will pass through the bottle, and a lower flow rate teat, preferably a physiological one, should be used.

Complementary solutions to anti-regurgitation bottles

We've listed 3 other easy solutions to reduce the risk of spit-up after every feed or bottle: 

1. Carry baby upright immediately after feeding

"Verticalising" baby is often recommended by paediatric teams right from the maternity ward. This method helps baby to evacuate ingested air and limits the risk of colic and abdominal pain.

Carrying your baby in a sling or wrap makes it easier to babywearing, which should last at least 20 minutes for optimum efficiency! To develop your babywearing techniques, don't hesitate to ask for the services of a peri- or postnatal consultant, or a doula. At night, place baby on a mattress at a slight angle.

2. Waiting between bathing and drinking

Giving your child a bath right after feeding may increase the risk of regurgitation. Being handled and put too quickly in a semi-recumbent semi-recumbent position encourages food to rise from the stomach into the esophagus. It's best to wait at least 1 hour. 

In the same vein, a too intense activity or a game such as tickling or riding on a horse's lap should not be done in the continuity of a bottle feeding. Even if it's anti-regurgitation, there are basic principles to be respected!

3. Thicken bottle milk

To reduce your child's regurgitation, you can thicken classic industrial milk formulas, and even your breast milk. Thickening these meals will also enable your baby to play for longer between meals. 

Don't forget to use a nipple with a faster flow to allow thickened liquids to pass through. 

Please note that thickener should never be added to milk that has already been thickened. Ask your paediatrician for advice before switching to thickened formulas. These are not always suitable for babies who are too young, underweight or premature.

Several types of thickener are available: 

Commercial cereals: Very sweet, they are nevertheless easy for children to absorb. Practical when meals are difficult to administer.

They provide all the important nutritional elements your child needs (vitamins, minerals, etc.). You'll find chocolate, vanilla, biscuit-flavored... and all brands!

On the other hand, be careful not to make them a habit. The addition of cereals to the diet should remain occasional.

Carob flour: Obtained from the seeds of the carob tree, native to Crete, carob flour, less well-known than its peers, guarantees equally effective results.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a starch made from processedcorn, hence its nickname "corn flower". When mixed with milk, it is heated to obtain a thicker beverage texture.

An excellent alternative to wheat flour, and regularly used as part of a gluten-free diet, cornflour gives a very light, airy and even creamy mouthfeel. Here again, it' s best not to overuse , as cases of mild constipation have been reported.

Starch: Wheat or corn starch thickens directly in your baby's tummy. This is in contrast to cornflour and flour, which thicken in the anti-regurgitation bottle. For some children who like a liquid texture, this is a considerable advantage!