When a baby hurts because of infant silent reflux, they are often high needs. It can be a difficult time; here are 5 tips to help you get through it.

1. MAKE Time For Your Sleep

Duh! This may seem like a no-brainer if you haven’t had a hurting baby. If your baby hurts, you know a hurting baby actually can not sleep.

We rarely slept more than 4 hours per night, and those were non-consecutive 40 minute spurts. Sleep broken up like that is not restorative. As days months pass, the need for any solid chunk of sleep becomes desperate.

If you’re in this place and feeling weary, you are not alone.

Here are a few ideas to schedule sleep:

• Trade off. One parent goes to bed early while the other takes the evening shift. Take turns during the week.
  • If your child cries most of the night, use a loud fan, ear plugs or noise machine to block the noise so you CAN sleep while the other parent is awake.
• If you are a working parent, allow yourself one day a week to go home and sleep for an hour or two before picking your child up from daycare.
  • If daycare isn’t a possible outlet for you, ask a trusted family member or friend to come hold the baby while you sleep. And when they come, don’t do anything else. Just sleep.
• Do whatever it takes to help your child sleep. I held our son on my chest in a big chair with pillows propping my arms up so he couldn’t fall for his first 3 months of ‘sleep’.

2. See A Specialist

No matter how good your pediatrician is, see a specialist. A pediatric Gastroenterologist (GI) just knows more because of their specialized training.

Specialists see more cases of severe reflux than a pediatrician and have resources and ideas even the best pediatrician may not. Infant Silent Reflux can be caused by many things, including allergies, intolerances, and other underlying health issues. A specialist may be able to help you find the root of the problem, instead of just covering it with medication.

3. Be Honest and Transparent

While no one wants to complain about their child, it is not complaining to admit or explain what is really going on.

Don’t be afraid to take time to explain why you can’t volunteer, go to an event, or why you might be late or need to leave early. Being open and honest will help others understand, give grace, and even offer to help. People who don’t know you need help will not offer to help.

Sharing your experience will add a new level of authenticity and trust in your relationships. You may be surprised which relationships thrive in this time and which ones do not. True friendships are forged in fire. These are the people who walk through struggles with you, including your child’s infant silent reflux. Life isn’t perfect and we shouldn’t pretend it is. Don’t be afraid to share the hard stuff.

4. Seek Experienced Reflux Parents

In addition to a great pediatrician and GI specialist, others have been in these trenches before you. They have spent their days and nights loving and doing everything they can to not only soothe their child, but also to learn how to do it better.

As a mom who has walked through infant silent reflux three times, I have benefited much from the knowledge and experience of others. Many have gone through what you are going through now. They can offer advice and encouragement as seasoned veterans. If you don’t know any such parents, there are resources that may help.

Infant Silent Reflux Resources

• Reflux Support Group closed group on Facebook – must join to see posts
• Reflux Rebels – closed group on Facebook – must join to see posts
• GERD & Heartburn Forum
• Reflux Infants Support Group (RISA)
• www.infantrefluxdisease.com
• www.infantreflux.org
• La Leche League – for online articles and forums, but also free lactation advice locally
• Reflux.org – is no longer adding new information but there is a wealth of general reflux information, journal articles and stories from  families still accessible on the website

5. Pray and Then Pray Some More

In the middle of the night, all day long, when your ears, back and arms hurt from rocking and soothing the screaming, prayer is your lifeline to the God of all creation. He made you, your baby, and He knows exactly how hard this is for all of you.

God listens, He answers, and He equips. Reach out to Him for strength, comfort, and peace.

I recently studied John 11 and was so moved by Jesus’ compassion and how deeply troubled He was over the death of Lazarus. He comforted Lazarus’ sisters Mary and Martha and wept beside Lazarus’ grave. Even though death had to happen for Him to show His power over death as He raised Lazarus from the grave, He took NO joy in seeing the sorrow of those He loved. And, He felt His own sorrow over the situation.

Cry out to God, He hears you. He is your help and holds you both in His good, sovereign hands when there is simply nothing else you can do for your child. Infant silent reflux is of concern to God. He is ready and willing to comfort and help you endure.

On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:6-8 (NIV)

Additional Resources

How We Survived Our Baby’s Silent Reflux, Mummy Nearest

7 tips for dealing with infant acid reflux and our experience with reflux and colic, O Lovely Day

Infant Reflux is NOT Silent – Our Experience Navigating Reflux Treatment, This Grateful Mama