They make excellent supportive pillows to aid in this positioning, and our favorite is the boppy pillow, or a variation of sorts. Here are some links to guide you, that promote hands to midline and a thin tuck position, like how the mom above is feeding her baby: Nursing Pillow  and  Boppy pillow (we’re partial to this one because it can be used for motor development later on).

Reflux: Reflux, or GERD, occurs when there is regurgitation of the liquid from the stomach to the esophagus. Sometimes reflux can be silent, staying inside of the esophagus, other times it can be quite visible, and best described as frequent or excessive ‘spit up.’ Reflux can happen due to pressure on the stomach and intestines after eating, a poor closure of the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus or a chemical reaction, possibly due to some sort of ingredient intolerance or allergy. If your baby is experiencing reflux, they may employ a few tactics to prevent the extremely unpleasant feeling of heartburn from happening. Commonly seen compensations include tilting their head to the side (possibly leading to torticollis); arching; clenching or straining at their neck, shoulders, abdomen and hips; refusal to eat; tummy time avoidance/ tummy time intolerance, leading to more time on their back and a flat head (plagiocephaly) and possibly a baby helmet (DOC band). The less our babies move, the harder it is to gain strength and learn how to use their muscles. This leads to overall delays and can also lead to difficulties with reflex integration (when their movements appear choppy and involuntary). Note, if your child is already experiencing any of these symptoms, contact us immediately for a free consultation, as M&G treats these conditions on a daily basis. Other commonly seen side effects with reflux include constipation, vomiting, burping, wheezing, choking, lack of weight gain (failure to thrive) and bumpy or irritated skin (eczema). If your baby suffers from reflux, there are natural and medical treatment options that you can discuss with your pediatrician. 

Related to their motor development, it is important to give them at least 30 minutes of rest between finishing their feed and placing them in tummy time. Consider doing gentle infant massage and basic stretches to prevent them from developing tightness as a compensatory pattern. Tight babies tend to be delayed with head control and tummy time tolerance, which leads to struggles with rolling back to tummy, crossing one hand to the other side to grab toys (midline) and crawling. These lead to difficulties and frustration with their play, which in turn leads to even more mom guilt. 

Bottle feeding: There are many types of bottles, nipples, and flow rates that exist. Babies go through different stages and phases of what will work best for them to get their nutrients through a nipple. If your baby often chokes, coughs or gags during bottle feeds, this could be a sign that the flow rate is too quick, either due to the mother’s breast milk letdown, or the flow rate of the nipple. Many moms who end up bottle feeding just choose to poke holes in the nipple if baby starts to struggle to get the breastmilk or formula out, but be advised that this is not recommended, and is a huge risk factor for the baby to choke. Look at the size of the nipple and consider ordering the next size up instead. Bottle feeding can be done for breast milk, formula or cow’s milk (based on your child’s pediatrician’s recommendation). If you or baby has a hard time with breast feeding, bottle feeding a is a great alternative. Don’t give up hope if you try a few and they don’t stick! A feeding therapist or IBCLC is a great resource if you start to feel stuck with this decision (hint: we’ve already provided you with several)!

NG Tubes and G Tubes: Sometimes, babies might have medical conditions or issues that make it necessary to use NG (Nasogastric) tubes or G (Gastrostomy) tubes for feeding. These tubes ensure they get the nourishment they need to grow and thrive. If your baby needs this support, don’t worry; there are specialists who can help you navigate this journey. Be sure to not discontinue use of these or change the amount of thickener added to your baby’s intake without advice from your child’s GI (gastrointestinal) specialist. 

Eating Solids: When your baby starts to become older, stronger and longer, consider placing them in a more upright position when they drink out of their bottle and when they are starting solid foods. Solid food (purees or thicker) transitions from the bottle can be exciting, but also an incredibly stressful time. Comparing to your friend’s or family’s kids who are ‘eating everything in front of them’ can often lead to a reclusive lifestyle if your baby isn’t there yet. And baby led weaning isn’t appropriate for every child, particularly if they don’t have the appropriate suck/swallow/breathe pattern, they have a lip or tongue tie, or struggle with keeping food down. Remember that some choking is a normal part of learning how to eat solids. The best thing that you can do to ensure that your baby is ready for solids is wait until they have head control (they can hold their head up on their own when you’re only supporting at the waist). If you or someone else would still refer to them as having a ‘bobble head,’ or they can only hold their head upright for a few seconds, it’s too early. This transition happens between 4-7 months in a typically developing child. If your baby is past this age and you’re concerned about them holding their head up, this is your sign to schedule a free consultation with M&G. The next best thing you can do to prepare for a baby’s positive transition from liquids to solids is to invest in supportive seating.