Osteopathy for reflux and vomiting in babies
Does your baby spit up a lot after feeding, seem restless, or cry as soon as you lay them down? Many parents will recognise this scenario. With reflux, food (regularly) flows back from the stomach, and this can completely upset your baby. Osteopathy offers a gentle, pain-free way to look at the cause of reflux, rather than just the symptoms.
In this text, you will read what reflux in babies actually is, how to recognise it, and how an osteopathic treatment can help your baby digest more calmly and sleep better.
Reflux bij een baby is wanneer babyvoeding omhoog komt in de slokdarm. Dit kan gebeuren na het voeden, en soms komt het eten weer volledig uit. Het is een veelvoorkomende, onschuldige aandoening en gaat meestal vanzelf over naarmate de baby groeit.
With reflux, milk comes back up from the stomach after feeding. This is normal to a certain extent in young babies: the transition between the oesophagus and the stomach is not yet fully developed, and the valve between the stomach and oesophagus doesn't always close properly. However, reflux can cause your baby significant distress, especially if it's accompanied by crying, restlessness, or poor sleep.
The vagus nerve plays a key role in this. This nerve controls, among other things, the closing of the stomach valve. When the vagus nerve is under tension, for example due to tension around the base of the skull or the neck, stomach contents can flow back more easily.
In addition, two other things play a role with babies:
- the liver is relatively large in babies and presses against the stomach;
- Frequent feeding can cause partially digested milk to mix with new food, leading to more colic and reflux.
Here are some signs of reflux in your baby: * **Spitting or vomiting:** This is the most common sign. They might spit up a lot after feeding, sometimes even forcefully. This can happen during or after a feed. * **Fussiness and crying:** Your baby might seem distressed, irritable, or cry a lot, especially during or after feeding. They may arch their back or seem uncomfortable when lying down. * **Feeding difficulties:** They might refuse to feed, feed for only short periods, or struggle to latch on. They might also seem to be in pain when feeding. * **Poor weight gain:** If your baby is spitting up a lot or finding it difficult to feed, they might not be gaining weight as expected, although this is less common. * **Choking or gagging:** Sometimes, milk or stomach contents can go into the airways, causing your baby to choke or gag. * **Sleep disturbances:** They may have trouble settling to sleep, wake frequently, or only sleep for short periods. They might prefer to sleep in an upright position. * **Irritation or redness around the mouth:** If stomach acid comes up with the spit-up, it can irritate the skin around your baby's mouth and chin. * **Hoarse or wet-sounding cry:** In some cases, reflux can affect the voice box, leading to a hoarse cry or a sound like there's fluid in the throat. It's important to remember that some spitting up is very normal for babies. However, if you're concerned about your baby's symptoms, especially if they are distressed, not gaining weight, or having breathing issues, it’s always best to consult your GP or health visitor.
Reflux manifests slightly differently in each baby. Common signs include:
- Vomiting a lot, often shortly after feeding;
- restlessness, crying or arching the back during or after feeding;
- poor sleep, especially waking up as soon as you lay the baby down flat;
- swallowing, gagging or a sour-smelling breath;
- difficulty gaining weight (always consult your GP or health visitor in this case).
Sometimes there is talk of Silent reflux (silent reflux): the milk comes up but is swallowed again, without visible spitting up. Your baby is then restless and appears to be in pain, while the cause is less obvious.
How does osteopathy help with reflux?
As an osteopath, I don't just look at your baby's stomach, but at their entire body. During pregnancy, birth, or even a fast or prolonged labour, slight tension patterns can develop, for example around the base of the skull, the neck, or the diaphragm. This tension can affect the vagus nerve and therefore the functioning of the stomach valve.
Using gentle, manual techniques, I aim to reduce that tension, allowing your baby's body to regulate itself better. The treatment is always gentle, pain-free, and completely tailored to your baby's age and situation.
What does the treatment involve?
– A comprehensive medical history regarding pregnancy, childbirth and feeding.
– Examination of the skull, neck, spine, abdomen, and diaphragm.
– Gentle techniques to release tension around the vagus nerve and the digestive system.
– Practical advice on feeding, posture and handling.
Usually, a few treatments are sufficient to see improvement, depending on the complaint and your baby's age. The sooner we intervene, the faster your baby often becomes more settled again.
When should you see your GP or an osteopath?
Osteopathy is a supplement to conventional care, not a replacement. With persistent spitting up, poor weight gain or doubts, I always consult with the GP, midwife or paediatrician. If you are concerned about your baby's health, please contact your GP or child health clinic first.
Would you like to know if osteopathy can help your baby with reflux or spitting up? Feel free to contact us or easily book an appointment online in Leiden or The Hague.
