If your baby is suffering from reflux and GERD, you may be wondering if there are ways to provide them with relief. One method that many pediatricians recommend is inclining the bassinet mattress at a slight angle. By tilting the bassinet, you can help gravity work in your favor to keep the stomach contents where they belong—in the stomach!
But how to incline bassinet for reflux?
Why use a bassinet that elevates head?
Acid reflux is characterized by episodes of spitting up or vomiting, and it can be difficult to keep your little one upright after feeding. Also during common colds, placing infants to sleep on an incline in a crib or co-sleeper also has strong evidence to help reduce respiratory problems.
But don’t worry: mommy can help by taking care, not just during meal time.
Sudden infant death syndrome
An infant sleeps between 12 and 16 hours daily and only wakes to feed twice. It is estimated that 25% of healthy babies suffer from reflux before one year old because their esophagus isn’t fully developed. There are many reasons behind SIDS, one of them being soft bedding, overwrapping, and inappropriate sleeping position.
How to Incline Bassinet for Reflux Relief
In this article, I’ll show you how to raise bassinet for reflux safely and effectively so your baby can sleep in an incline position and can get the relief they need.
Precautions to take while Inclining Your Bassinet for Baby’s Reflux Relief
These are some points parents need to keep in their mind to have a better parenting journey:
1. Make sure the bassinet is on a level or flat surface before inclining it.
2. Do not incline the sleeping surface more than is necessary to alleviate your baby’s reflux symptoms.
3. Place your infants in the best bassinet, with its head at the higher end after feeding.
4. Make sure your baby is placed in a slightly inclined sleeping position, not more than 10 to 15 degrees. Or you may put your baby at risk for choking or other respiratory problems.
5. Make sure the baby’s mattress is comfortable and securely fastened in the bassinet.
6. Do not leave your baby unattended while sleeping in an inclined position.
7. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
How to elevate bassinet for reflux: Step-by-Step
Among the few ways, you can try to soothe your child with acid reflux and let them sleep comfortably. One option is to incline your baby’s bassinet mattress. It means that you will raise the head of the bassinet so that your baby is slightly elevated. In this way, the amount of reflux reduces that your baby experiences.
Here are a few easy steps to follow to achieve an inclined position of the bassinet mattress:
Step 1: Place a towel or blanket under the crib mattress. It will provide a bit of cushioning and make it easier for you to adjust the angle later.
Step 2: Roll up a receiving blanket and place the rolled blanket along one side of the standalone bassinet. The rolled-up blanket should be about 6-8 inches wide.
Step 3: Place your baby in the bassinet on their back. You may want to put them in a swaddle or sleep sack for added comfort.
Step 4: Gently tilt the bassinet until it is at a 10 to 15 degree angle. To check if you’ve reached the correct pitch, put a book or another small object on one side of the bassinet; it should stay in place without sliding down.
Step 5: Adjust the blankets, so your baby is comfortable and supported throughout the night.
Use an inclined bassinet that elevates head of your baby
If your child is suffering from acid reflux, you may find that placing them in an incline bassinet can help to alleviate their discomfort. It keeps your child’s head and chest on a slight incline, making nighttime feedings easier when reducing reflux symptoms.
Moreover, it also helps your baby digest food more quickly, in common colds, and better circulation.
If you use an inclined position to keep your baby slightly elevated while sleeping, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Some bassinets have adjustable legs that allow you to change the angle of incline, while others come with a foam wedge placed underneath the mattress.
Bassinets have a music box and hanging toys that attract babies and give them healthy playtime.
5 Best elevated bassinets for slightly inclined sleeping position
Some parents find that bassinet that elevates head helps their baby sleep more soundly, while others prefer an inclined sleeper closer to the ground.
Here are five of the best-elevated bassinets on the market:
1. The Halo Bassinest Swivel Sleeper
2. The Chicco Lullago Deluxe Bassinet
3. The BabyBjorn Cradle
4. The Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet
5. The Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet
Things to consider when choosing the elevated bassinet for baby sleep
When choosing an elevated bassinet for the sleeping position
- The height of the bassinet
- Ease of height adjustment
- The weight limit
- Size
- The type of mattress included
- whether or not it comes with a bedding set.
Other Options to reduce the reflux symptoms
After knowing how to elevate bassinet for reflux. Parents must understand the other ways of alleviating reflux symptoms. Best option is to feed your baby smaller, more frequent meals. It can help reduce the amount of food your baby’s stomach can hold and can also help reduce the amount of time that food stays in the stomach.
You can try to keep your baby upright for some time after feedings. It can help to reduce the amount of reflux that occurs by allowing gravity to help keep the food down.
Giving your baby some tummy time on the bed or floor improves their digestion. All these options are things you can try to help your baby with reflux. Talk to your baby’s doctor to see their recommendations for your specific situation.
Read the book on baby reflux survival
Parents can buy books relevant to their baby’s condition to learn more about it and how to cope with it properly. A relatively new book that has gotten great reviews is Colic Solved: The Essential Guide to Infant Reflux and the Care of Your Crying, Difficult-to- Soothe Baby
Use a bassinet wedge for a slight inclined sleeping position
Sleep wedges are pieces of foam that you can place under the mattress of your baby’s bassinet. It will raise the head of the bassinet so that your baby is slightly elevated. It can help to reduce the amount of reflux that your baby experiences.
OCCObaby Universal Crib Wedge
HALO Newborn Bassinet Insert
Use extra pillows
One way is to use a unique acid reflux wedge pillow. These pillows are specifically designed to elevate your baby’s head and torso and can be placed under the bassinet mattress. You may also consider using a rolled blanket to prop up one end of the bassinet.
You can also raise your baby’s head and shoulders with a few extra pillows, but be sure not to place any pads underneath your baby’s head as this could block their airway.
Try other sleeping positions
Another option is to try different sleeping positions. There are a few different positions that you can try that may help to reduce the amount of acid reflux that most babies experiences. One position is to hold your baby upright for some time after feedings to lessen the amount of reflux that occurs by allowing gravity to help keep the food down. In this case, using a bassinet that elevates head helps a lot. Another position is to place your baby on their stomach on a flat mattress while awake and supported. It can help to eliminate the amount of acid that comes up into the esophagus.
Try gripe water
Finally, you can try giving your baby gripe water. It is a herbal remedy that can help soothe your baby’s tummy and reduce reflux symptoms. Gripe water is available over the counter at most pharmacies. Be sure to talk to your baby’s doctor before giving them gripe water, as it may not be appropriate for all reflux babies.
All these options are things you can try to help your baby with reflux. Talk to your baby’s doctor to see their recommendations for your specific situation.
Try baby bottles for acid reflux
You can also try the best baby bottles for acid reflux to improve your baby’s sleep, feeding, and tummy comfort. These bottles are specifically designed to give your child gas-free feed, significantly reducing the symptoms of reflux
Why are sleep positioners not safe?
Sleep positioners are devices that keep an infant in a particular position during sleep. Some are shaped like wedges, and others look like nests. The theory is that holding the infant propped up at an angle will make them less likely to spit up or have GERD.
However, there are several reasons why they are not safe. First, they can increase the risk of suffocation. If an infant’s face is pressed up against the side of the elevated position, they may not be able to breathe. Second, it can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It is thought that the positioners may interfere with an infant’s ability to move during sleep, leading to fatal positional asphyxia.
Conclusion: How to raise bassinet for reflux
I hope this guide has helped to let you know how to bassinet for reflux relief through elevated sleeping. Always consult your child’s pediatrician before trying any new methods of relief, as they can offer bespoke advice based on your child’s individual needs. Sweet dreams!
Parents also ask
Does sleeping elevated help the baby with congestion?
Elevated sleeping may help the baby with congestion by reducing mucus draining from the nose. When the baby is lying flat, mucus can pool in the back of the throat and cause coughing.
Are sleep positioners safe?
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not suggest the use of sleep positioners during baby sleeping because suffocation is risky. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigates these reports of infant deaths associated with their use and advises parents and caregivers to avoid using sleep positioners.
Why do babies need to lie flat?
If your baby lies on their back, it will reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
