With infants, comes the high possibility of spit ups. It is absolutely normal. If you are a new mom, by now you would have experienced it. As an infant, my son spat up almost all the breastmilk he consumed. It was so frustrating to go over the entire process of tidying him up, with a change of clothes, and feed him again; hoping he doesn’t spit up again.

Acid reflux is also responsible for baby spit ups. It manifests around 2-4 weeks and peaks around 4 months. It usually subsides a few months later once your baby starts solids and starts sitting. It does increase before getting better though and sometimes using reflux medications can seem to be the only option.

However, it is important to note that not all babies that spit up have infant acid reflux. One clear indication that your baby has acid reflux is when they spit up repeatedly and arc their back and cry a lot. This is because of the acid that comes up after every feed and it can be very painful for babies. If your baby just spits up and is happy, it is a sign that your child doesn’t have acid reflux. 

Baby spit-ups, and the associated mess, while not being totally avoidable, can be managed with ease. Yes mommies!! It can be managed with ease. Here’s how:

1. Keep Your Baby Propped Up
Keeping the baby propped up for at least 20 minutes after each feed, drastically reduces the chances of a spit-up. I tried this with my son and believe me….it worked wonders!! 

Laying them down just after you feed increases their chance of spitting up as propping them up can keep their food down due to gravity.

2. Burp Your Baby
Babies tend to ingest a lot of air while suckling or feeding. So, make sure to burp your baby after each feed to ease the gas out from their little tummies. The accumulated gas/air can get painful and can lead eventually to a spit-up. So, burp your cutie.

3. Keep Burp Cloths & Wipes Handy
I always kept burp cloths handy during the first year of my son. It helps to quickly react to and clean up spit ups, dribbles, and all the baby mess that is always on-the-way back up. Also, keep baby wipes handy and you are good to go. Keeping the baby clean and dry should is a priority!

4. No Tummy Time after a Feed
Tummy time is essential for babies. It helps them gain strength and also relieves the gas accumulated in their tummies. But it should not be done right after a feed. The baby is very likely to spit up if you do.

Allow for at least an hour, after a feed, to give your super-kid some “tummy time”. It is so cute to watch them during this exercise….and especially when they are not spitting up!

5. Feed Small Meals Frequently
This is one thing I wasn’t aware of when I had my son. I would overfeed him and felt overwhelmed when he would routinely spit up and cry after a feed, until a visit to my chiropractor remedied my folly.

We mommies tend to forget, that our babies have very small tummies. They cannot accommodate the overabundance of love-filled-feeding which we subject them to. Spit up is the natural aftermath of such misplaced love. Hence, the key to minimizing spit-ups due to overfeeding, is to give small feeds at reasonable intervals. It works beautifully.

6. Have the Baby Sleep on an Incline
Usually babies don’t need this but if your baby suffers from acid reflux, this is something I can’t recommend enough. My son had acid reflux and would cry a lot due to the extreme discomfort. This also kept him from sleeping for prolonged periods. But then we were advised to try this technique. Make the baby sleep on a slight incline; with the head on the elevated side. This method really helped for better sleep quality for the baby, in addition to reducing the discomfort caused by acid reflux.

7. Get Mess-Proof Baby Clothes
Babies make messes and will continue to do so till they grow up. They spit up, drool, and generally keep messing up. It is an exasperating non-stop process to keep them clean and dry. For stain-proof clothing, try Snug Bub stain-proof baby clothes. They can be wiped clean, have no chemicals on them, are breathable, child friendly, and are super soft. Just take a damp wipe and wipe off the mess….and Viola!! No need for a change of clothes!! An absolute “must-have” for your baby wardrobe.

 

 

This post originally appeared on Snug Bub USA.

 Tia, a Sacramento based mommy who loves to write about her son and parenting experiences. Even though she loves being a mother she knows how hard parenting can be sometimes. 

Jessica Simpson, Kelly Clarkson, Kate Hudson, what do these celebs have in common aside from their million dollar bank accounts, golden voices and stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? All three celebrity moms had difficult pregnancies, like millions of other moms across the globe. Motherhood is the great equalizer, apparently.  Dehydration, Pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and hyperemesis gravidarum (acute morning sickness) are just a few of the struggles of pregnancy. What challenges did these celeb moms face in their pregnancy?

  • Kim Kardashian struggled with preeclampsia and placenta accreta making having any more babies after her first risky, which is why she used a surrogate for her following births.

 

 

 

  • Jessica Simpson struggled with edema, sciatica pain, acid reflux during her pregnancy.

 

 

  • Serena Williams difficulties began soon after delivering her daughter via c-section. “She suffered from a pulmonary embolism and the doctors also found a large hematoma.

 

  • Chrissy Teigen suffered a vaginal tear after the birth of her daughter Luna.

 

Motherhood unites us all and it’s nice to hear these celebs share their struggles as well.

I had heard about mom guilt. My first encounter with it was interviewing for a nanny job at the age of 22 where I tried to empathize with the mom as a young adult, and not an ounce of mom experience. I had no grasp of the weight of what she was saying until I too became a mom and my guilt started dragging me down.

As a stay at home mom, I certainly may not experience mom guilt in the working-mom sense brought on by the fear of missing milestones, not being able to kiss every boo-boo, or missing the tickles and giggles that fill each day but I have guilt and it comes from a very different place. As a stay at home mom, I am lonely, anxious, and well…bored. The daily anxiety of needing to do more, contribute more, and feel important fills my mind. Trust me, I know what you are thinking! Being a mom and raising good humans is beyond important and totally checks all the above-mentioned criteria. But knowing this does not take away the monotony of the job. So, I feel guilty as hell! I am a child specialist for crying out loud, so what gives?

Before I had kids, I had a prestigious job of running private early education facilities and loved it. I worked hard to put myself through college and grad school while being a full-time teacher’s assistant and then climbed the ladder to Director. It made me feel important and the continuous dialogue with colleagues and peers was mentally stimulating.

So when I embarked on the motherhood journey, I found it exciting and all-encompassing, and I jumped in with both feet the minute my baby was a ball of cells in my womb. My old life, as I knew it, was a distant memory. This continued for a while, but slowly the anxiety coupled with the monotony of the day-to-day began to buzz in my mind like a trapped summer fly in the house. Every day was the same: waking up, making breakfast, packing lunch, school drop off, park times, play dates, snacks, cleaning up, storytimes, building Legos, playing dolls, cooking dinner. The list went on and on of a never-ending schedule and constantly diffusing tantrums. The thoughts of wanting to leave my house, brainstorm with like-minded people, and yearning to be involved in something exciting crept in, and then the guilt began to build.

A terrible feeling of mom guilt sat with me like acid reflux after a fast-food binge. I felt guilty for wanting more. I felt guilty looking for jobs and going on interviews, to only talk myself out of actually taking positions when it came time to assess the childcare logistics; which in turn made me feel even more trapped.

Then one day, after some heavy in-and-exhales, I decided to give myself a mental break. The realization that I can love my kids just as much as a stay at home mom and still have a life outside of them was freeing. Wanting more is okay. Going back to work is okay. Utilizing some of the “ it takes a village” we desperately need to raise our kids is okay.

To all the stay at home moms, who are struggling with staying at home, I get it. You are not alone. We all know that you love your children. We all know you are grateful for your children. We all know there is nothing you love more than your children. With all that, we also know to stay at home is isolating and lonely, so it’s okay if at some point you are ready to do something that isn’t staying at home with the kids.

Hello! My name is Brittany and I am the creator of Mama Bear Britt! I am a child development specialist, former preschool director and mama of two littles. I am working hard to create a place for parents to gather, learn and share. Join my tribe! 

After nine long months of swelling, illness after illness and plenty of pregnancy drama, Jessica Simpson gave birth to daughter Birdie Mae! Congrats to the now-mama of three.

Simpson’s pregnancy wasn’t the easiest three trimesters. Fans who followed the celeb on Instagram saw Simpson’s pregnancy progress from a barely-there bump to feet so swollen the singer asked her social media followers for help—pronto.

Simpson also got real on IG about her pregnancy issues with severe acid reflux, bouts of bronchitis and now-famously broken toilet seat dilemma.

Judging by her recent birth announcement IG post, everything Simpson endured has finally paid off and in the best way possible. Daughter Birdie Mae Johnson made her grand debut on Mar. 19, weighing in at 10 pounds, 13 ounces. (Whoa.)

Congrats to Simpson on her daughter’s birth and for delivering an almost 11-pound baby like a champ! We can’t wait for all those baby snuggle photos we know will be all over her IG feed—and we hope this mama bear gets some much-deserved rest first!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Jessica Simpson via Instagram 

 

RELATED STORIES

All the Celebrity Babies We Can’t Wait for in 2019

Jessica Simpson Reveals Her Baby’s Name at Her Gorgeous Baby Shower

Jessica Simpson Opens Up about Her Difficult Pregnancy with Baby No. 3

Following a week-long hospitalization for bronchitis, celeb mama-to-be Jessica Simpson is finally back at home. The singer, designer and mom to two hasn’t exactly had the easiest pregnancy this time around—and we totally feel for her.

Simpson’s pregnancy woes aren’t new. After announcing her pregnancy last September, the celeb’s Instagram feed became a sounding board for her tough time. In January, Simpson posted a pic of her super-swollen feet, asking her followers for help. Even though the swelling went down, her pregnancy problems didn’t end there.

In February, Simpson posted another pic of a problem. This time the mama showed off her brand-new recliner—purchased to help with the severe acid reflux.

The star’s current battle with bronchitis, which she also ‘grammed, isn’t the first during Simpson’s pregnancy. According to her post, this her fourth go-round with the illness in the past two months. Fortunately Simpson is on the mend and, again according to her IG post, baby Birdie is “doing awesome!”

You’re in the home stretch, mama!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Jessica Simpson via Instagram

 

RELATED STORIES

Jessica Simpson Opens Up about Her Difficult Pregnancy with Baby No. 3

Jessica Simpson Reveals Her Baby’s Name at Her Gorgeous Baby Shower

Jessica Simpson Fesses Up to This Hilarious Pregnancy-Related Fiasco 

You’ve probably heard that “back is best” and bumpers are better left out of cribs. But according to a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, many parents don’t follow safe sleep recommendations — especially in the middle of the night. Even when advised of the risks and knowing they were being videotaped, parents put their children to sleep in a non-recommended way. We all want what’s best for our babies, but we’re also all exhausted. Here, we’ve got a reminder of the basics for safe baby sleep, and a couple of ideas for how to keep up your resolve when all you want is for the kid to sleep for five more minutes.

photo: Caitlin Regan via flickr

Back to Sleep
Place babies to sleep on their backs. Yes, you went to sleep on your stomach, and you survived (or so Mom tells you), but the best research we have available says back is best. Make sure any babysitters know to place your little one on their back to go to sleep. When baby can roll over by herself, put her on her back to start, and stop swaddling.

Clutter-free Crib
Babies should sleep on a flat, firm mattress. Cribs and other sleeping environments like bassinets should be kept free of stuffed toys, pillows, loose blankets and bumpers. Those bumpers that get handed down might be cute, but keep them for the doll crib. They aren’t safe. Sleep experts say that just because products are sold in stores doesn’t mean that they’re safe for your little one, surprisingly, and hand-me-downs may have been recalled or no longer recommended for use.

Sleeping with baby
Talk to your pediatrician if you’re planning on co-sleeping. In the AAP safe sleep study, bringing your baby to bed in the middle of the night was very common, and often done without letting the other parent know Baby is there, and without having a safe sleeping environment prepared.

Sleeping with baby on a couch is especially dangerous according to studies, so make a plan on how to stay awake during late-night feeding sessions (Netflix and nurse, anyone?). Yes, it’s cute when Baby and Dad fall asleep together, but give Dad a nudge to wake him up, or pick up your baby gently and put him down in a safe place.

photo: Pixabay

The takeaway? Parents are tired, and they want their babies to sleep. Parents are much more likely to put their children to sleep in their own beds, or on their stomachs, after getting up with the baby at least once. We get that! Sleep deprivation does not make for rational decision-making at 2 a.m. What can you do?

Make it easy on yourself and baby. Consider keeping a safe sleep environment in your bedroom where you can feed, change and check on your bundle as needed during the night without too much fuss and hassle.

Get as much rest as possible. If you take naps during the day, you’re less likely to be exhausted at night. We roll our eyes sometimes at “sleep when the baby sleeps,” especially when you have older kids, but instituting a personal naptime is not out of line.

Don’t be afraid to move baby after they’ve fallen asleep somewhere unsafe. If they fall asleep on the couch, move them. Yes, they might wake up, which seems like the worst possible outcome at the time, but trust that they’ll make up for it later.

Ask your pediatrician before trying something new. Dr. Google suggests a sleep positioner, or sleeping on a wedge, and you just want the reflux (screaming) to get better. We’re been there. But make a quick call or email to your doctor or nurse on call before trying something beyond the recommended firm, flat sleeping surface.

Ask for help if you need it. Being exhausted and barely able to function isn’t something you should have to suck up and push through. Sleep when you can, and if you’re breastfeeding, consider asking a partner to bottle-feed during the night if you’re having trouble making it through. Even if you had planned to breastfeed exclusively, you can feel proud of making the best choice for your baby.

What’s your favorite baby sleep advice? Let us know in the comments!

—Kelley Gardiner

There goes the doctors favorite word to throw around while diagnosing babies, colic. Being a mother of two, I can definitely rule out different cries, I mean come on I’m an expert now basically. NOT.

I have two precious boys, and I became a mother at nineteen years young. Kaiden made me a mother, he’s now three years old and has taught me a lot about my life and about how to be a mother. When Kaiden was a baby, he was diagnosed with acid reflux. Nothing serious to the doctors since he was gaining weight. 

BUT, what about the pain my baby was going through? Sure, he’s gaining weight fine, I had no idea how when it seriously  looked like he was throwing up ounces at a time. Luckily, after changing formula six times, yes six times, and finding the right medication he grew out of his acid reflux at four months old.

Fast forward two years, and we are ready to have another baby. After trying and trying, we stopped trying and trusted God’s timing. Next thing you know, those two lines popped up on my pregnancy test. 39 weeks later I was induced to give birth to our second precious baby boy Kylan. All of the sudden, things took a turn for the worst.

As I was getting discharged the pediatric hospitalist came in and proceeded to tell me that I was being discharged, but Kylan was not. I was in shock. “Why, is he okay, he had been fine the first two nights at the hospital!” Kylan ended up having blood in his stool, and the doctors had no answers as to why. Finally after a numerous amount of doctor visits and formula changes, my sweet baby ended up having MSPI (Milk Soy Protein Intolerance).

That’s not all though. Kylan was screaming, throwing up, arching his back, and covering himself and me in vomit after every single bottle. My baby was in PAIN.

I made the first available appointment for that very next day. Here we go again… “Your baby is gaining weight just fine. He has colic, and it will pass eventually.” We left, tears streaming down my face, I knew my baby was in pain and he did not have colic. After more doctor visits, they finally put Kylan on acid reflux medication- Zantac, an H2 blocker that your baby grows up a tolerance towards.

So here we go, more pain. Sleepless nights, and a screaming baby that only wants to be held and cuddled. Medication was changed again to a PPI (Proton Pumps Inhibitors). With babies though, they need their PPI more than once a day and until they are on the right dosage, they will continue to be in pain and go through the dreaded a”acid battle.” 

Yes, the acid battle is real, and it’s total HELL. You don’t know what to do anymore, you feel useless, hopeless, and worst of all like you’re failing your baby as their mother. A mother who is supposed to protect them, and do their best to keep them out of harms way. I felt like I was going crazy. Until one day I found a support group on Facebook for infants with acid reflux, and other mothers going through the same exact things I was going through with Kylan. Dr. Jeffrey Phillips who was an administrator on the Facebook group had invented TCM (Tummy Care Max) which makes PPIS immediate release instead of having to wait 45 minutes after giving the baby their medicine to give your baby a bottle.

I also discovered Marci Kids Dosing, which goes by the age and weight of your baby to determine how many milligrams to give your baby and also how many times per day. This truly was a life saver. I researched and researched some more before taking the leap and getting Tummy Care Max, and the amazing thing is that it’s safe for MSPI babies like my sweet Kylan as well!

After starting new medication, and giving Kylan the right dosage backed by science, he became a totally different baby. Kylan smiles, laughs, holds his head up, and rolled over from front to back for the first time! My message to all moms and all parents out there is to follow your parenting instincts. Don’t ever feel crazy for thinking something is wrong with your baby when you have that gut wrenching feeling that something isn’t right. Colic is diagnosed daily by pediatricians when later on the true problem is acid reflux, and when not treated your baby can be in severe pain. Don’t ever settle with answers you don’t be feel comfortable with.

Fight for your babies. WE ARE THEIR VOICE. WE ARE THEIR NUMBER ONE FANS. WE ARE THEIR PARENTS AND THEY ARE OUR GIFTS FROM GOD. 

So they deserve to be well taken care of and not in pain. So sweet mama or daddy reading this, I hope you stand up and fight for your precious babies. I fought so extremely hard, and I wanted to give up at times, but guess what!?

 I WON, ME AND KYLAN DEFEATED THIS ACID BATTLE. Much love to all the parents going through health conditions with their precious babies, and even though I don’t know you, I’m praying for you. God Bless. 

I'm a stay at home mom to two beautiful boys. I enjoy the simple things in life, like taking a relaxing shower without my kids throwing my clothes in the toilet. I enjoy helping other moms with obstacles they're facing that I have already overcome.

All nighters ain’t what they used to be. There still might be bottles strewn everywhere, but once baby arrives, sleeping in the next day is no longer an option. When sleep deprivation gets scary, call in reinforcements from one of Atlanta’s baby nurse services. Experts in postpartum care and the excruciating art of sleep training, they can help ensure both you and baby get some much-needed rest.

Happy Baby Solutions
Happy Baby Solutions was founded by two moms who realized how hard it was to find quality care for their kids. Their professional baby nurses can ease the transition into becoming a new parent, offering advice on everything from swaddling to sleep schedules. They can also take the night shift so mama and daddy’s can catch some z’s.
404-592-2858

Rest Assured Infant Nursing
Rest Assured specializes in matching families with night nurses that are licensed RNs and certified in infant CPR. All have passed criminal background checks and are 100% insured so that you can “rest assured” your little love in is good hands.
888-277-1563

Baby Nurse To Go
Founded by Angela Buehler, Baby Nurse To Go is your one stop for Professional Baby Nurse Services , Sleep training, and newborn care and scheduling consultations.Based in Atlanta, Baby Nurse To Go founder Angela Buehler, originally hails from London. She is a multiples and preemie specialist, with over 25 years experience and offers baby nursing services that span the globe. Buehler will assist with sleep training, scheduling your baby and overall care your newest addition. She specializes in preemies and multiples, and with the special needs of apnea monitored babies, reflux, sensory integration disorder, and feeding techniques.
404.966.2661

Mothers Helping Hands
Specializing in night nurse infant care, Mothers Helping Hands also offers postpardum and newborn services to ease you and baby’s trasition home from the hospital. Their postpartum doulas take care of both baby and mom in the first days and weeks home. Best of all, their in-home night nurses will care for your infant so that you can get some sleep.
678.770.2313

How did you survive sleep deprivation with your baby? Tell us about it below!

—Phebe Wahl

All photos courtesy of Creative Commons via Flickr