Which feeding practices help reduce gastroesophageal reflux in infants?

Which feeding practices help reduce gastroesophageal reflux in infants?

• A. Burp during and after feeds, hold upright 20-30 minutes after feeding, and smaller more frequent meals
• B. Hold upright for 10 minutes after feeding only
• C. Keep infant upright after feeding for 2 hours with no burping
• D. Switch to thicker formula only

Answer: (B)

Infants with reflux are helped most when feeding practices reduce the amount of liquid in the stomach at once and use gravity to keep contents down. Burping during and after feeds helps release swallowed air that can contribute to stomach distension and reflux. Keeping the infant upright for about 20 to 30 minutes after feeding uses gravity to help prevent reflux from reaching the esophagus. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals prevents filling the stomach to a large volume at once, which also lowers the likelihood of reflux episodes. A plan that only holds the infant upright for a short time, like 10 minutes, misses the benefit of burping and doesn’t adequately address stomach distension from larger feeds. Keeping the infant upright for 2 hours without burping can cause discomfort and still doesn’t reduce reflux effectively. Switching to a thicker formula may help in some cases but is not a universal fix and should be guided by a clinician; it does not replace the broader feeding practices that reduce reflux risk.

Infants with reflux are helped most when feeding practices reduce the amount of liquid in the stomach at once and use gravity to keep contents down. Burping during and after feeds helps release swallowed air that can contribute to stomach distension and reflux. Keeping the infant upright for about 20 to 30 minutes after feeding uses gravity to help prevent reflux from reaching the esophagus. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals prevents filling the stomach to a large volume at once, which also lowers the likelihood of reflux episodes.

A plan that only holds the infant upright for a short time, like 10 minutes, misses the benefit of burping and doesn’t adequately address stomach distension from larger feeds. Keeping the infant upright for 2 hours without burping can cause discomfort and still doesn’t reduce reflux effectively. Switching to a thicker formula may help in some cases but is not a universal fix and should be guided by a clinician; it does not replace the broader feeding practices that reduce reflux risk.