Could silent reflux be the reason your baby is unsettled?
Identifying what is making your baby unsettled can be worrying. One reason why your baby is unsettled could be silent reflux.
Reflux is when stomach contents – milk and acid – come back up into the mouth after feeding. Typically, the baby brings up a bit of milk, which is also known as ‘posseting’. If your baby does not show any obvious signs of reflux, such as posseting, they may either be swallowing the milk back down, or the milk does not reach as far as the mouth. This is known as ‘silent reflux’.
The symptoms of silent reflux are not always obvious, but here are some things to look out for:
- Crying during or after feeding
- Traces of milk in the mouth
- Signs of being in pain, such as a pained expression/ grimace
- Generally being distressed
If you think your baby may be suffering from reflux or silent reflux, you may want to seek professional help. As a paediatric osteopath, I work with both mother and baby to find the cause of why your baby might be unsettled, and help your baby feel more comfortable.
If you would like to book an appointment with Katrina please call Richmond Osteopaths on 020 8948 7171 or text 07762 230 846.
In the meantime, you can try the following:
- Giving your baby smaller, more frequent feeds
- Interrupting feeding to burp your baby
- Holding your baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding
For further information on paediatric and cranial osteopathy at Richmond Osteopaths, please go to: https://staging.richmondosteopaths.co.uk/services/cranial-osteopathy/