Health
Infant Reflux and Breastfeeding: How to Feed a Baby With Reflux Comfortably
Bringing your new baby home sparks joy, yet it can be tough, too. Lack of sleep and new meal modes make it hard. A big worry for many is when the baby spits up or shows signs of reflux. A little spit-up is normal, but if there’s a lot of pain, moms may wonder how to ease their baby’s feeding. Learning about baby reflux and how it ties to breastfeeding helps parents soothe their baby and ease feed times. Plus, just as helpful tools like a feeding bottle washer make things clean and simple, having good plans can ease feeding with reflux.
What Is Infant Reflux and How Common Is It?
Baby reflux means food from the belly moves back up to the throat, and it might come out as spit-up after eating. This happens because a baby’s inside parts are still growing, such as the muscle that keeps food down. Many babies deal with this, and in fact, studies show that nearly half of all babies under three months spit up at least once daily. The good news is, most babies get better from it by 12 to 18 months as their bodies grow.
Signs Your Breastfed Baby Might Have Reflux
Now and then, babies may spit up, which is normal. But those with reflux might also show signs like:
- Lots of spit-up or throwing up post-meals.
- Being cranky or upset, mostly when eating.
- Bending their back during or after feeding.
- Gagging, coughing, or hiccupping.
- Not putting on weight or growing slowly if it’s bad.
We need to know that light reflux, not messing with a baby’s weight or ease, is often called “happy spitting.” Yet, if your baby looks in pain or isn’t doing well, they might need changes or doctor help.
Why Reflux Happens in Young Babies
The main cause of acid reflux in babies is that their food pipes are not yet fully grown. The muscle that stops food from going back up is not strong enough to hold milk down all the time.
Other things may play a part too:
- Giving too much food or feeding too fast.
- Taking in air while feeding.
- Not taking well to some foods the mom eats (but this is rare).
- How the baby sits or lies during or after feeds.
The big problem is growth, and time can be the best help. But for now, there are some ways to ease the signs and help both the baby and mom feel good.
Breastfeeding Positions That Can Help With Reflux
The way you feed your baby can cut down on reflux. Keeping the baby up a bit when feeding helps since gravity keeps milk down. Here are a few ways you can try:
- Laid-back breastfeeding: Mom reclines slightly with baby lying tummy-down across her chest, which slows milk flow and uses gravity to help digestion.
- Upright cradle hold: Holding the baby more vertically in the cradle position allows milk to go down smoothly.
- Football hold: Tucking the baby under the arm, while keeping them elevated, can also help babies with reflux.
Trying out different ways can show what is best for your baby.
Feeding Tips to Reduce Spit-Up and Discomfort
Making a few tiny shifts in how you feed can also cut down on spit-up:
- Give less food, but more often, instead of long feed times.
- Let the baby stop and gulp down each bit to keep air out.
- Keep the baby cool and still before and during feeds — crying makes them suck in more air.
- Don’t shake, jump, or lay the baby down flat just after feeding.
These little acts can help keep feeding easy for both baby and mom.
How Milk Supply and Letdown Might Affect Reflux
For some moms who feed from the breast, too much milk or a fast milk flow can cause reflux. When milk comes too fast, babies might gulp, take in air, and feel too much, which can make them spit up or get fussy. If you think this is true, try:
- Let out some milk before feeding to make the first flow slower.
- Feed while leaning back so gravity can slow the milk down.
- Give milk from just one side each time to cut down on too much milk.
Handling the amount of milk doesn’t cut back on the nutrition—it just makes feeding better for babies.
Burping and Post-Feeding Routines That Support Digestion
After feeding, it’s key to burp babies who have reflux. Air in the belly adds to the pressure, so letting it out helps ease pain. Good ways to burp are:
- Hold the baby up close to your chest and softly pat the back
- Sit the baby on your lap, keep the head and chest up, and rub the back
- Try to burp when halfway done with the feed, not just after
After feeding, hold the baby up for 20 to 30 minutes to cut down on spit-up. Many parents hold their little ones in carriers to keep them up and use their hands for other things.
When to Talk to a Pediatrician About Persistent Symptoms
Most of the time, acid reflux is not bad and gets better as kids grow. But it can mean a bigger issue called GERD (stomach acid reflux disease) in some cases. You should talk to a child doctor if your little one:
- Does not put on weight or loses weight.
- Cries a lot after or while they feed.
- Does not want to eat or seems hurt when eating.
- Throw up spit that is green, yellow, or has blood.
- Finds it hard to breathe, chokes, or coughs a lot.
Doctors might say to change how you feed them, give medicine, or, not often, do more tests.
Practical Tools That Can Help Parents
Handling reflux is not just about how a baby sits or when they burp. It’s also about keeping the feeding tools clean and safe. Many moms and dads choose to use a bottle washer to clean each day, more so if they use both direct feeding and pumped milk. To make sure bottles, nipples, and pump parts are well washed and free of germs can reduce germs and help a baby’s soft tummy.
Using the right feeding methods with clean tools leads to better health habits overall.
Conclusion
Baby spit-up is a thing many moms who feed with milk know well. It can be tough to deal with the mess or the baby crying often, but understanding what it is and making small tweaks can help a lot. From holding the baby right while feeding and taking it slow, to burping them more and keeping them upright, moms can make their little one feel better while still having good feed times. If the problems stay or get worse, a chat with a baby doctor ensures the baby gets the care they need. Over time, trying new things and using tools like a strong bottle washer, handling baby spit-up gets simpler. As the baby grows, and their belly gets used to food, most spit-up issues end — this leads to happier feed times and peaceful times for both mom and baby.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has launched its first nationally representative survey on antimicrobial resistance to generate critical data to guide evidence-based policies, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen health system resilience.
Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to resist treatment, making infections harder to cure.
As a result, surveillance is essential to track resistance patterns, identify priority pathogens, and guide targeted interventions and with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, the initiative marks a milestone in the country’s public health response.
Nigeria becomes the third country globally to partner with WHO on a national antimicrobial resistance survey. having been selected based on the country’s strong commitment to AMR surveillance, its updated WHO Nigeria NAP 2.0, and readiness to expand laboratory and data systems.
Africa’s most populous country ranks 20th globally for age-standardized mortality due to antimicrobial resistance . In 2019, an estimated 263,400 deaths in Nigeria were linked to it—more than the combined deaths from enteric infections, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, maternal and neonatal disorders, neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and cardiovascular diseases.
Globally, resistant infections in tertiary care settings cost between $2,371 and $29,289 per patient episode, extend hospital stays by an average of 7.4 days, and increase mortality risk by 84 per cent.
The survey will see the establishment of a national baseline on antimicrobial resistance prevalence to monitor interventions, assess the distribution, burden (morbidity, mortality, DALYs, cost), and diversity of AMR across regions and populations, as well as contribute to the global target of reducing AMR deaths by 10 per cent by 2030, in line with the political declaration endorsed at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in 2024.
It also seeks to strengthen routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance, including diagnostics, sample referral systems, and laboratory capacity.
Using WHO’s standardized methodology, the survey will run for 12–15 months and cover 40–45 randomly selected health facilities nationwide. Patients with suspected bloodstream infections (BSIs) will be identified using standard case definitions, and blood samples will be analysed in quality-assured laboratories.
Data will be collected across all age groups, covering clinical, demographic, laboratory, financial, and outcome indicators. Follow-up will occur at discharge, 28 days, and three months post-infection. The survey will sample approximately 35,000 patients suspected of BSIs to obtain around 800 isolates of the most common pathogens.
Dr Tochi Okwor, Acting Head, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said, “With WHO’s support, we are confident the survey will generate the evidence needed to protect public health.”
WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment stating that ,“Nigeria is taking a decisive step toward combating AMR with an approach grounded in data, science, and measurable impact. This survey will provide the clarity needed to drive smarter policies, stronger surveillance, and better patient outcomes. Nigeria is laying the foundations for a resilient health system, one that protects lives, strengthens trust, and ensures that essential medicines remain effective for future generations.”
Adding her input, Dr Laetitia Gahimbare, Technical Officer at WHO Regional Office for Africa, added:“Strengthening surveillance enhances Nigeria’s capacity to detect and respond to AMR threats, supporting better patient outcomes, reinforcing health security, and building a resilient system.”
Professor Babatunde Ogunbosi, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at University College Hospital, Ibadan, highlighted the broader impact:, “This survey is about more than data. It’s about building national capacity for research, diagnostics, and policy. It integrates science into public health decision-making.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) in Nigeria, SUNU Health, has said its philosophy is proactive wellness, noting that this was why it recently partnered with The Divine Physician and St. Luke Catholic Chaplaincy Centre for a community health initiative.
The chief executive of the company, Dr Patrick Korie, said, “SUNU Health’s vision extends far beyond merely offering health packages and insurance.”
“We are fundamentally interested in proactive wellness—preventing illness rather than just treating it. This annual exercise is a crucial part of that commitment, and we will continue to champion it for as long as we exist,” he stressed.
The medical practitioner led the company’s annual Health Walk in Lagos on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The event drew hundreds of health enthusiasts, including the Chaplain of the centre, Rev Fr. John Okoria SJ.
His active participation reinforced the spiritual and moral commitment to holistic well-being, proving crucial in mobilizing staff and community members, thereby ensuring the vital wellness message reached a broad and deeply engaged audience.
The health walk covered several major streets in Lagos, starting from Ishaga Road and navigating through Itire Road, Randle Avenue, Akerele, Ogunlana Drive, and Workers Street before concluding back at the starting point. Following the vigorous walk, participants engaged in a session of high-energy aerobics and other outdoor exercises, reinforcing the day’s focus on fitness.
“We are delighted to champion this vital health initiative alongside the Catholic Chaplaincy Centre LUTH/CMUL. The turnout was truly delightful, reflecting the community’s deep desire to embrace wellness.
“Collaborations like this amplify our message and commitment to the Nigerian community,” the Brand and Corporate Communications Lead at SUNU Health, Mr Samuel Olayemi, stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Coronation Registrars Limited, a subsidiary of Coronation Group, in partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee (LSBTC), recently hosted a Blood Drive Initiative at the 5th floor of Coronation Group Plaza. The event saw over 80 staff donate blood to support critical healthcare needs in Lagos State.
The Blood Drive Initiative forms part of Coronation’s commitment to meaningful, human-centred corporate social responsibility, a direct, measurable, and life-saving effort that reflects the Group’s health and sustainability values.
As Prosperity Partners dedicated to creating sustainable wealth for clients and the African continent, Coronation recognises that true prosperity extends beyond financial returns to encompass the well-being of communities we serve.
The company noted that this initiative enabled it to deliver immediate social impact by supporting national blood supply shortfalls through employee-driven action, demonstrate leadership in health-focused CSR aligned with ESG goals and SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), strengthen internal culture by fostering employee engagement, empathy, and purpose in a safe, structured environment, and reinforce corporate reputation through public-facing acts of service, stakeholder trust, and media visibility.
Blood donation remains a critical need in Nigeria, where regular blood supply is essential for emergency care, surgeries, and treatment of various medical conditions. Each donation can save up to three lives, and the collective effort of Coronation employees will significantly impact patients in need across Lagos State healthcare facilities.
“This aligns seamlessly with Coronation’s broader sustainability agenda, which views healthcare access as fundamental to building prosperous communities across Africa,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Partnering with a certified medical institution, the drive was professionally managed, medically compliant, and logistically efficient. Participants underwent necessary medical screening procedures to ensure donor fitness and safety. Following their donations, donors received refreshments and appreciation for their life-saving contribution.
“At Coronation, we believe in making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve,” said Mr Oluseyi Owoturo, Chief Executive Officer of Coronation Registrars Limited. “This Blood donation Initiative reflects our values in action, saving lives, building community, and positioning the company as a purpose-driven brand. We’re proud of our employees who stepped forward to donate blood and save lives. This is what sustainable impact looks like: tangible solutions that address real challenges facing our continent.”
The partnership with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Committee ensured professional handling of the donation process, meeting all safety and quality standards for blood collection and storage.
Coronation Registrars Limited says it continues to demonstrate that corporate success goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility.
“This initiative reinforces the company’s purpose to create a prosperous future for clients and the African continent through transformational solutions,” it added.
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