If you are a first time parent and your infant has reflux it’s lonely. And maddening. Infants with reflux don’t sleep contentedly in strollers while you eat out at restaurants or get pedicures with girlfriends like other babies you see. Not only do they cry most of the time but they frequently don’t stop crying when you pick them up and try to console them. They have the audacity to spit up all over themselves, you, the furniture, the carpet, and your immediate (or even appoximate) surroundings.
For others with infants it seems so easy to leave the house and resume life as normal. For you it can seem so daunting. Infants with reflux can shatter your self confidence both as a parent and a person. It can isolate you, even from your significant other.
The single most important thing you can do to avoid this is to get out of the house. Take baby steps long before your baby does. Start with short trips even though they seem like the effort of preparation is not really worth the trip itself. Spend 30 minutes preparing simply in order to go buy yourself a decaf latte. If your baby spits up on you pass it off as a bad steamed milk accident. Plan for a longer outing next time and try to meet a friend.
Each trip will build confidence that you can handle any situation with this incredibly demanding baby and help restore some of the old you.
Not convinced? If I could come to your house and drag you out I would - it’s that important! Here is a checklist of items you need to leave the house with a reflux baby:
Out and about with infant reflux.
It’s all about getting to a point where you can enjoy the dry moments.
Wishing you hugs,
