A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the parents of a 2-month-old infant who has gastroesophageal reflux. The parents are feeding the infant formula. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Give the infant a bottle immediately before the infant's bedtime: Feeding the infant immediately before bedtime can increase the risk of reflux as lying down soon after feeding can worsen gastroesophageal reflux. The infant should be kept upright after feeding. B. Keep the infant at a 30-degree angle for 1 hour following each feeding: Keeping the infant upright at a 30-degree angle for about 30 to 60 minutes after feeding can help prevent the contents of the stomach from refluxing into the esophagus. C. Limit the infant's formula feedings to every 6 hr: Infants with gastroesophageal reflux typically need more frequent feedings, not less. Limiting feedings to every 6 hours is not appropriate for a 2-month-old infant. Frequent, smaller feedings may help manage reflux. D. Change the infant's formula to a soy-based formula: Switching to a soy-based formula is not a standard treatment for gastroesophageal reflux unless there is a specific allergy or intolerance to cow's milk protein. This should only be done if directed by the healthcare provider.