After feeding Nayul formula milk and burping him, I lay him down on the anti-reflux cushion for a while. For the first week after we brought him home, he often laid on it. However, after hearing that prolonged use can strain the baby's back and even cause a flat or misshapen head, I've tried to reduce its use. Although it's been difficult to cut it out completely (withdrawal symptoms..!? 😅), I've been laying him down for just about 30 minutes after feeding to prevent vomiting. Holding him continuously and comforting him isn't always possible...😭 Still, my wife tends to hold and comfort him for an additional 30 minutes to an hour (she's amazing...👍). I've explored the undeniable allure (?) of this cushion, even knowing its drawbacks.
Anti-reflux Cushions
The cushion Nayul uses is the "Lototo Bebe" anti-reflux cushion, a gift from a team member at work.
As the name suggests, the cushion elevates the baby's head to help with digestion and prevent reflux. It serves a similar purpose to the "newborn burping" I posted about recently. Babies sleep better on it, as the elevation helps prevent reflux, making it a more comfortable sleep option than a flatbed.
Would it be okay to let the baby sleep on it continuously?
In Nayul's case, it seems he was often laid on it whenever he was in the living room for the first week.
Drawbacks of the Anti-reflux Cushion?
Although it's designed to support the back, for tiny Nayul, his buttocks and back seemed to sink in together, and his legs seemed to lift slightly higher. I worried this might strain his back if he laid on it for extended periods. We, like other parents, sometimes added a towel underneath him to adjust the height.
Are these drawbacks addressed now?
Upon further research, I found that continuously lying on the cushion can lead to a flat or misshapen head.
With a regular bed, you can use special pillows to shape the baby's head, but with the cushion, this isn't possible due to the already elevated position. Hence, there's a higher risk of developing a flat head syndrome, so one must be careful.
Utilizing the Anti-reflux Cushion!
While the cushion is beneficial for preventing reflux, its drawbacks mean it can't be used for extended periods. Can it serve other purposes? For me, I use it during Nayul's "tummy time" when he's in a good mood. While we do have tummy time while holding him, trying it in different environments like the inclined slope of the cushion seems promising (though it still seems challenging for Nayul...😅).
While the cushion offers significant aid in parenting, prolonged use can be detrimental. It's essential to use it wisely and within limits. The product's sale page even offers a description and a Q&A section.
Recorded on May 5, 2023