After feeding an infant, what does placing it in the side-lying position do?

After feeding an infant, what does placing it in the side-lying position do?

• A. Increases gas
• B. Delays gastric emptying
• C. Has no effect
• D. Promotes gastric emptying and reduces the risk of vomiting

Answer: (D)

After a feeding, how the infant is positioned can influence how quickly the stomach empties and how much milk might reflux back up into the esophagus. Placing the infant on the right side uses gravity to help move the milk toward the pylorus and into the small intestine, speeding gastric emptying. With quicker emptying, there’s less milk left in the stomach to reflux, which reduces vomiting. This side-lying position supports digestion after feeds more effectively than other positions.

After a feeding, how the infant is positioned can influence how quickly the stomach empties and how much milk might reflux back up into the esophagus. Placing the infant on the right side uses gravity to help move the milk toward the pylorus and into the small intestine, speeding gastric emptying. With quicker emptying, there’s less milk left in the stomach to reflux, which reduces vomiting. This side-lying position supports digestion after feeds more effectively than other positions.