
Reflux pillows are specialized pillows for infants that help prevent vomiting and spitting up, limiting food from coming back up… However, many mothers still don’t fully understand this type of pillow and don’t know whether or not they should let their newborns use them. Let’s find out with AVAKids!
What is infant acid reflux?
Acid reflux is a condition where the stomach pushes food back up into the esophagus. For babies, this happens after feeding with milk or solid foods. Symptoms of acid reflux include frequent spitting up, vomiting milk from the mouth and nose, leading to fear of eating, poor appetite, fussiness, sleeplessness, and ultimately, malnutrition and slow growth.
Acid reflux doesn’t only occur in newborns but also in older babies, with signs like heartburn and sometimes pain in the sternum. Additionally, acid reflux can cause frequent coughing and wheezing in babies, and even lead to difficulty breathing, poor respiration, or even dangerous respiratory arrest.
What are reflux pillows? What types are there?
What are reflux pillows?
A reflux pillow is a specially designed pillow with an incline of about 15-30 degrees from vertical. This helps elevate the baby’s head, preventing stomach acid from flowing back up and improving spitting up and vomiting, which are very common in young children.
This type of pillow is recommended by many experts. Thanks to its unique design, the product supports the baby in the correct position after eating or being full, limiting food reflux from the stomach to the mouth, as well as other symptoms of acid reflux.
What types of reflux pillows are there?

There are two types of reflux pillows:
- C-shaped pillows: Designed with a C-shaped curve to support the baby’s head. In addition to preventing reflux, the pillow can be used when breastfeeding or helping babies over 6 months old to sit up.
- Modern-style pillows: Designed like a comfortable mattress bed with an ideal 15-degree slope, effectively limiting food reflux, vomiting, and spitting up in babies.
Should reflux pillows be used for newborns?
The stomachs of babies under 6 months old are not fully developed like adults. At this point, the baby’s stomach is still in a vertical position rather than horizontal like adults. When the baby doesn’t lie at a sufficient incline or accidentally turns, milk or food can reflux from the stomach.
Gastric reflux can cause the baby to vomit frequently and even obstruct breathing. Therefore, a reflux pillow is a useful item that should be provided for newborns.
Benefits and how to use reflux pillows correctly for newborns
Benefits of reflux pillows
- Supports mothers during breastfeeding: Mothers who breastfeed in one position can easily get tired, so they often change the baby’s position to relieve fatigue. Frequently moving the baby’s position can affect their digestion. Using a reflux pillow helps reduce fatigue for the mother while providing a comfortable feeding position for the baby.
- Prevents vomiting after eating: The elevated head and appropriate incline of the pillow help the baby maintain a lying position that is suitable for their digestive system’s position and structure, thereby limiting food reflux and spitting up.
- Helps improve acid reflux in babies: After the baby has eaten, especially after breastfeeding or formula feeding, gastric juices are secreted in larger amounts. Using a reflux pillow effectively improves acid reflux.
- Helps babies sleep better: Reflux pillows are usually made of soft materials that help babies sleep better. Furthermore, the back strap adjusts the back and posture while the baby sleeps, promoting better sleep. However, mothers should not let their babies lie on the pillow for too long!
How to use a reflux pillow correctly for babies

- Choose the right pillow for your baby: Based on the baby’s age, mothers can choose a suitable pillow. Babies under 6 months should only lie on a pillow inclined at about 15 degrees, as a steeper incline can affect the spine. For babies 6 months and older, a 30-degree incline is appropriate.
- Feed your baby enough: If the baby is overfed, spitting up is very likely to occur even with a reflux pillow. Conversely, if the baby is not fed enough, they may feel uncomfortable, restless, and toss and turn.
- Place the baby on the pillow and adjust their position: Depending on the type of pillow and the baby’s height, adjust the pillow so that the baby lies flat and avoids spinal curvature due to incorrect posture.
- Ensure the baby’s safety: For reflux pillows without safety straps, mothers can use a folded blanket to wedge the pillow and ensure the baby stays securely on the pillow and doesn’t roll or turn over.
- Clean the pillow regularly: Mothers should wash the pillow weekly with soap, detergent, or baby laundry detergent to prevent bacteria on the pillow from harming the baby’s health.
- Mothers should buy genuine products from reputable brands like KuKu, Bessla, Summer, etc. Reflux pillows are manufactured with various designs and inclines, so mothers should consult with staff about how to use the pillow before purchasing.
- Choose a pillow made from soft, safe materials that are absorbent and breathable, such as natural cotton or bamboo fiber pillows.
- The best sleeping position is to elevate the baby’s head and have them lie on their side, so that stomach acid and food do not reflux, effectively reducing vomiting. Avoid letting the baby lie on their back, as this increases the risk of acid reflux and, more seriously, airway obstruction.
- Pillows used for a long time will accumulate bacteria and dirt that can harm the baby. Therefore, mothers should regularly clean the pillow with safe and gentle baby laundry detergents, avoiding harsh detergents to prevent skin allergies.
Frequently asked questions about reflux pillows
1. Should babies sleep on reflux pillows?
Reflux pillows are made from safe materials with a comfortable design, helping babies avoid reflux and vomiting. However, keeping a baby on the inclined pillow for a long time is not good for their health.
Therefore, parents should not let their babies sleep on reflux pillows. Prolonged use is not good for the baby’s spine. If the baby falls asleep on the pillow, move them to their crib or bassinet.
2. How long should a newborn lie on a reflux pillow?
After feeding or breastfeeding, place the baby on the reflux pillow for about 15-20 minutes. Do not let them lie there for longer, to avoid putting pressure on their spine.
3. Harms of reflux pillows
Reflux pillows are only harmful if the baby lies on them for too long. A newborn’s skeletal frame is still weak and not fully formed, so lying on the pillow for extended periods puts pressure on the spine, potentially leading to hunchback or spinal curvature.
Mothers should only let their babies lie on the pillow for 15-20 minutes after feeding.
4. Should I buy a reflux pillow? Where can I buy one?
Reflux pillows offer many essential benefits for both mother and baby, so mothers should consider choosing a suitable pillow for their baby!
The AVAKids store system is one of the places that specializes in providing high-quality baby care products like newborn baby wipes, Bobby diapers, Pigeon bottles, etc.. Therefore, mothers can feel secure purchasing baby pillows at AVAKids supermarkets nationwide or ordering online through the website avakids.com.
With great benefits like preventing vomiting, adjusting lying posture, etc., a reflux pillow is certainly an essential item and highly recommended for newborns. If you have any questions, please contact AVAKids via hotline 1900.866.874 (7:30 – 22:00) for assistance!