Babies with acid reflux must be kept in an upright position for as long as possible after eating and while sleeping. This can make crib positioning and other daily routines difficult to handle when your baby has acid reflux or GERD. Luckily, there are many great crib accessories that have been designed especially with babies and acid reflux in mind. Here are some excellent products for babies who suffer from acid reflux.
Crib Accessories for Babies with Acid Reflux: The Tucker Sling
The Tucker Sling is one of the best products on the market for babies that suffer from acid reflux. This wedge shaped mattress can be used right on top of the baby’s crib mattress and it has its own little fastening system that allows you to Velcro baby into it so that he won’t slip. The result is a baby that is placed upright on a wedge which allows gravity to play its part in reducing acid reflux. The Tucker Sling was actually recommended by my son’s doctor when he was suffering from acid reflux and spitting up every time we laid him down.
Crib Accessories for Babies with Acid Reflux: Gerber Safe Lift Deluxe Crib Wedge
The Gerber Wedge is not quite as economical for babies that are able to move around because it simply attaches underneath the crib sheet so that there is a slight lift to the crib. For older babies who suffer from acid reflux this may not work because the baby can roll away from the wedge to the point that the baby is no longer raised up. However, this is a much lower priced wedge that is more than sufficient for infants up until about 6 months of age in which most babies are beginning to outgrow the common problems associated with acid reflux.
Products for Babies with Acid Reflux: Upright or Papasan Swing
While no parent wants their baby to become dependent on a swing, it can be the best product to have for a baby with acid reflux. A swing that sits upright is perfect for older babies and a papasan style swing really will work well on keeping an infant in the upright position to help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. You can purchase a papasan style swing from most baby retailers such as Baby’s R Us and also at stores such as Target or Walmart.
Products for Babies with Acid Reflux: Arms Reach Dreamer Cocoon
The Dreamer Cocoon is like a swing with a soft net around it that reacts to the movements of the baby. This accessory for babies with acid reflux is perfect because it creates a gentle swaying motion when the baby moves and aids in the digestive process. It’s like the mother holding the baby upright and softly swaying back and forth while he sleeps. While the Arms Reach Dreamer Cocoon costs a bit more than a swing (about $120) it is specifically made for newborns to sleep in so it seems to feel a little bit softer inside than a swing does and it has an adjustable back so that you can make baby sit more upright if necessary.
Crib Accessories for Babies with Acid Reflux: Secure Sleeper by Dex
The Secure Sleeper is perfect for babies that do not like to be strapped into a positioner such as the Tucker Sling but still need a little adjustment to maintain an upright position and prevent acid reflux. The Secure Sleeper has a gentle upright pad that is perfect for baby to sleep on and the side pads prevent the baby from rolling onto his or her side. Together this pad works to prevent acid reflux when the baby sleeps in his crib.
