Chiropractors for Infant Reflux

What causes reflux in babies?

For many parents, dealing with infant reflux, including both visible spit-up and silent reflux, can be a source of worry and frustration. Infant reflux occurs when stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus, leading to visible spit-up and discomfort. Silent reflux, on the other hand, doesn't always result in visible spit-up but can still cause pain due to the backflow of stomach acid. It's a common issue among infants, particularly in the first few months of life, as their digestive systems are still developing and their lower esophageal sphincter may not yet be fully mature, allowing for occasional backflow.

Reflux in babies will most often look like:

• Frequent spit-up during and after a feed and/or vomiting

• Arching their back when at the breast or feeding (usually a few minutes into a feed)

• Irritability, especially when lying down flat on their back

• poor sleep and/or feeding aversion

How do Chiropractors help babies with reflux?

Chiropractors look at how tension in the body, especially around the spine, neck, and jaw, might be affecting your baby’s ability to feed, digest, and rest comfortably. Many babies are born with some degree of physical tension from their position in-utero or the birth process (whether vaginal or C-section). Sometimes this resolves on its own, but when it doesn’t, that tension can show up in ways that affect everyday function.

Some common signs we see include:

• Neck tension or torticollis

• A tight or recessed jaw

• Difficulty turning the head fully to one side

• A preference to always look one direction

• A "C" shape or banana-like curve when lying down

These patterns can interfere with feeding, swallowing, and digestion, all of which may contribute to reflux symptoms.

What does a visit to the Chiropractor look like for my infant with reflux?

First, it’s gentle! There is no quick movement, twisting of any kind. Both Chiropractors at Well Spine are pediatric trained, specifically in the care of infants with reflux.

Babies will often sleep in a Snuggle Me while we assess their back, pelvis, diaphragm and neck, head, and jaw for asymmetry and/or tension. If we find tension in a little one’s body, we gently and slowly hold at this tight point until it releases. This release of tension and unwinding of the body can help a very tight baby relax. A relaxed infant can better use their diaphragm, jaw, and body to feed with ease.

What can I do at home for my infant with reflux?

Every baby is different, and this changes the plan of care for each child. However, in general, a baby with reflux is best fed on their left side, with a paced feed. Due to anatomy, this can slow the flow and feed and help the baby better digest their food. Aiding in decreased pain and spit-up.

Keep your baby upright! Keep your babe upright for at least 15-20 minutes after a feed to help prevent stomach acid from coming back up. If your little one is big enough, you can use a chair to help with this, such as a Baby Bjorn bouncer.

It is important that you speak with your care team (Pediatrician, IBCLC, Pediatric Dentist, etc.) to rule out tongue and/or lip ties, problems with their latch, or other visceral issues.