Birthlight Forums

Can anyone give me advice on do's and don't with reflux babies (and their mums)? I currently have four reflux babies in a class of nine!

Two of the mums are very anxious about doing anything active with their babies as they throw up so easily. They are seeing doctors/consultants about the reflux - babies are on double gaviscon, stay-down milk, lactose-free milk etc etc.

How can I make the class as positive an experience as possible for them? Obviously there is no pressure for them to do anything that doesn't feel right for them or their babies, but I'd love to be able to make a difference in some small way. I think the mums are unhappier than the babies, but of course babies need happy mums.

 I feel so bad for them. Siiiiigh.

  

Dear Eva, It must be hard to have four babies with reflux in a group at once. I feel for you. It might have something to do with a long pushing phase during birth, and osteopaths relate reflux to a slight curvature of the upper spine for the same reason, so a visit with an osteopath might help them. If there is lack of funds or osteopathy is not available, here is a heartening story: I had a mum who tried Gaviscon, but decided that she did not want to overload her baby with medicine so early. Then she found an apparently homeopathic remedy that contained alcohol(!) and made the baby drowsy, so she gave up on that as well. With patience and lots of breast feeding by demand she achieved that the baby grew out of the reflux by the 7th month. The baby loved her yoga from 6 weeks on and did all the postures with the following precautions: It will help if you elevate their heads, semi supine, when doing the hip and arm sequences. Drops are obviously difficult, but gentle flying in tiger in the tree. or sitting swings are OK with heads higher than legs. Go slow with all the dynamic postures. It is important to keep the mothers relaxed and happy as you pointed out, so give them lots of pranayama and relaxation. Csilla

Csilla, I never did say thank you for your helpful reply. So, better late than never - thank you so much for your insights. It certainly made me feel more confident.