Diet for GERD in Infants

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is common condition caused by food or acid flowing back from the stomach to the esophagus, which results in vomiting, spitting up, coughing and irritation. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle ring around the bottom of the esophagus that controls when food enters the stomach; in infants, it is very weak for at least 3 months after birth. If left untreated, GERD can cause respiratory problems, blood loss and poor growth, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). In order to alleviate pain, a change in diet and eating habits is necessary.

Trigger Foods

Some foods can relax the LES, according to Bryan Vartabedian, M.D., author of "Colic Solved." When the muscle is relaxed, the risk of having acid flow back is increased. Your infant could be experiencing GERD due to a milk protein allergy, Vartabedian says. Replace your baby's current formula with a hypoallergenic one to reduce spitting up. Keep a food journal, and write down everything you feed your infant, followed by her reaction to the food. The goal is to determine which foods are causing GERD symptoms. According to Vartabedian, most infants outgrow GERD within a year as the LES grows stronger. If you are breastfeeding, certain foods can trigger GERD, including deli meats, chocolate, high-protein flour, nuts, shellfish, wheat, broccoli, onions, tomato and corn.

Meal Frequency

Your baby may be receiving too much food at once, which can put pressure on his stomach and increase the likelihood of GERD. You can reduce this from occurring by feeding your infant four to five smaller meals throughout out the day rather than three large meals a day. According the NDDIC, overfeeding can cause reflux to occur, and your baby should not lie down shortly after eating as this can exacerbate GERD. Hold your baby upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding, and burp him after every 2 ounces of formula consumed.

Meal Adjustments

You can reduce reflux by thickening baby formula with cereal, according to the NDDIC. Add 1 tbsp. of rice cereal to every 2 oz. of formula, and change the nipple to accommodate the thicker formula. Eliminate milk and dairy products from your own diet while you are breastfeeding, as the milk protein can cause an allergic reaction. According to Vartabedian, it takes a few days to clear your milk of the allergen and two to three weeks for your baby's symptoms to subside.