Skip Navigation LinksChildren's Panadol®: Posseting and Reflux

About Reflux

This is common in babies, due to an immature or weak valve between baby's stomach and oesophagus, which allows the milk to escape from the stomach and flow back up, sometimes bringing stomach acids with it. There are several forms of reflux, ranging from simple to serious.

Posseting

This simple form of reflux refers to bringing up milk after a feed. It's annoying because it's messy, and worrying because you wonder whether the baby is getting enough nourishment. Posseting causes no pain or discomfort, and is no cause for concern if baby is happy, feeds well and gains weight. It usually settles around 5 months of age when baby is sitting and having solids.

When to Seek Help

  • If there is blood in the baby's vomit.
  • If the baby is losing weight or has poor weight gain.
  • If baby has a recurrent cough.
  • If baby is persistently unsettled, crying or fighting feeds.

Possible Medical Treatment

  • Your doctor may order investigations, which can show if reflux is occurring.
  • Your doctor may prescribe one of two medications: one helps empty the stomach more quickly and helps tighten the valve at the top of the stomach; the other cuts down on acid production by the stomach.

Home Management of Reflux or Posseting

  • Change nappy before a feed.
  • Lay an adult pillow under baby's head and shoulders on the change table.
  • Wipe their bottom by turning baby sideways, rather than pulling legs up to the tummy (which exerts pressure on baby's stomach and forces acid into the oesophagus).
  • Hold baby in a more upright position while feeding.
  • After feeding, sit baby semi-upright in a baby chair or rocker for 15 minutes, to help settle the milk.
  • Cut bunny rugs into four to place under baby's head (or use a cloth nappy with folded sheet on top), to catch the spillage and cut down on washing.
  • Raise the head of baby's mattress by 30 degrees by using folded towels under the mattress (if it's a bassinet) or a folded adult blanket under the mattress (if it's a cot). If this makes the bassinet or cot dangerously shallow, try phone books under the legs of the bassinet instead.
  • Some experts advise giving the baby a powder (which you mix with breastmilk, baby's formula or cooled boiled water) to thicken the contents of their stomach and help keep down the milk. If baby's on formula, you can try a formula which has thickener already added.
  • It's worth checking with your Child Health Nurse to see whether there is a Reflux Infants Support Association in your area. But if baby is happy, alert and putting on weight, it's best simply to put up with the inconvenience.

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