Positions for Infants with Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) refers to the condition where there is backward flow of the stomach contents, food and gastric acid, into the esophagus, usually during or shortly after a meal. The food may or may not make it all the way to the mouth but often results in spit up or vomiting.
Babies with reflux often suffer with discomfort and tend to cry more than usual. These babies benefit greatly from sleeping with their crib mattress angled. The Guardian Sleeper allows for angling of the crib, bassinet or original co-sleeper to as much as 45 degrees, while holding the baby snuggly in place so that your baby does not slide to the foot of the mattress.
During medical testing, one physician who taught at Harvard Medical School for 23 years said she was thrilled to see the Guardian Sleeper. She used to rig devices to hold babies in place and said she could see herself giving the Sleeper out every day.
Beth Anderson, author of The Reflux Book, said:
“I wish the Guardian Sleeper had been invented when my daughter was little. She had gastroesophageal reflux which made her spit up a lot and cry constantly. The doctor told us to raise the head of her crib. Positioning babies with reflux is a very important part of the medical treatment, but it can be difficult to do. Keeping my baby elevated was very helpful, but she moved around while she was sleeping and ended up with her feet at the top. The Guardian Sleeper keeps your baby positioned and covered at the same time. The blanket is available in polar fleece, cotton or an organic cotton/soy blend so you can keep your baby warm in any season. The blanket won't move around and end up over your baby's face.
"Nicola and Carol have invented a very useful device that will help babies (and their parents!) sleep more peacefully.”
Beth Anderson is devoted to helping other moms who deal with the struggles of reflux. For more information on reflux, visit www.refluxbook.com and www.reflux.org.
