How to stop reflux
The methods I have learnt over two decades of research and hands on practical care of thousands of newborns now has me stopping Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER or GOR) naturally. Yes, naturally. How?
By taking another perspective that says, nature didn’t get this wrong. If we respect all that nature has gifted our newborn and infants within the biology of their digestive system and their full array of communication, if we care for them in accordance to these natural functions, then our babies, our infants, do not have to suffer through reflux or colic. Or what I call Digestive Overload, the cause of these symptoms.
Our babies are not born with an immature digestive system, or a lazy sphincter muscle as is often marketed to parents. The cause of reflux or colic is not acid going up the oesophagus. Yes, acid is a bi-product of the causes and it can be uncomfortable like it is for us as adults, but it is not the cause itself for all the milk spit up, crying, screaming, back arching, pedaling, not wanting to be put down or put in car seats, or sleep for long periods.
Acid does not cause all of this. So what does?
What is the cause of reflux?
What contributes to Digestive Overload?
Sadly, many of the care practices that parents are being taught worldwide are actually causing the symptoms of Digestive Overload. And often with immense detriment to our newborns, they end up being prescribed what is often unnecessary medication to turn off acid production in their stomach.
So what are these care practices that contribute to Digestive Overload. Well, here’s a few of them:
- cluster feeding
- the idea that you can’t overfeed a breastfed baby
- block feeding
- feeding off both breasts in one
- advice on breastfeeding diet
- techniques for bottle feeding
- volume of milk required
- certain ingredients in formulas
- the witching hour is normal
- sleep regression exists – there is always a cause why a baby doesn’t sleep and it’s not sleep regression
- you don’t have to burp a breastfed baby
- some babies don’t need to burp at all
- to hold a baby upright for 30 minutes after a feed
- it’s fine for a baby, or infant to have constipation - not to have a bowel motion for 8-10 days
- introduction of solids at 4 months is healthy
Reflux is not "normal"
All on the above list are either causing the symptoms that are currently labelled as colic and reflux, or they are what parents are now being told is the normal behaviour for our young. But is far from normal.
It is both heart-wrenching and inconceivable that we have actually got to a place where we say that a newborn screaming for hours on end or even half an hour is normal. That no bowel motion after 8-10 days, or even after four days, is normal.
Stop! Stop! Stop saying such ridiculous things that only leave parents floundering and newborns and infants suffering. We must change our care practices and teachings so we can actually eliminate reflux, and colic worldwide – it is possible. I know it is because it's what I do now on a daily basis.
To stop our babies having Digestive Overload, the cause of reflux, we need to learn how to nurture baby alongside their natural digestive capacities and capabilities. We also need to learn and teach parents how to read their baby's full array of cues correctly, inclusive their Six-Wind-Cues that are formed by the movement of trapped air in the digestive tract.
So, if you are reading this because you want to stop your child’s reflux then the best place to learn more about how to do that is to read through my blogs, purchase my self-help parent book (supported by doctors) and/or book in for a one-on-one consultation, which I offer worldwide via Zoom.
I am totally committed to making sure our children no longer have to live with these symptoms. If you know of anyone else that needs this information, please help me to do that by sharing, sharing, sharing.
