Presentation Information

Breastfed babies suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Speaker: Veronique Darmangeat , IBCLC
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 30 Mins
• Credits: .5 CERP, .5 Nursing CEU, .5 CME, .05 Midwifery CEU, .5 Dietetic CEU

Abstract:

Currently, many babies suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Studies on how to treat and feed these babies are all based on bottle-fed babies. Yet breast-fed babies can also suffer from severe GERD. Parents are often helpless and struggle to follow doctors’ recommendations on how the administrate the anti-reflux medication (before or after each meal) and on thickening the baby’s milk. As a result, in order to be treated, many babies are weaned when maternal milk remains the ideal food for the baby, particularly when suffering from GERD. In my experience as a lactation consultant (in a private practice), I have met a lot of babies suffering from GERD. It is possible to adapt breastfeeding to these babies in order to decrease the symptoms and allow their reflux to be effectively treated. Through clinical cases, I will review the particular benefits of maternal milk for these babies, recommended breastfeeding positions, feeding/nursing frequency, how to administer medication or to allow medical exploration while protecting breastfeeding, how to support parents on a daily basis.