Final answer:
For a 3-month-old with gastroesophageal reflux, using a small, narrow-necked bottle along with dietary and lifestyle changes like avoiding certain foods and proper positioning can mitigate reflux. Further medical intervention may be needed depending on the severity.
Step-by-step explanation:
An appropriate intervention for a 3-month-old infant who has gastroesophageal reflux is to make dietary and lifestyle changes to decrease the amount and acidity of reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. Using a small, narrow-necked bottle can help control the flow of milk to the infant, making it easier for the baby to swallow without overfilling the mouth and potentially decreasing reflux episodes. Additionally, avoiding certain foods in the infant's or breastfeeding mother's diet that may contribute to GERD is important. These foods include chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Decreasing portion sizes and ensuring that the baby's last feed is a few hours before bedtime may also help reduce reflux risks.
Furthermore, it's essential to keep the infant in a slightly elevated position during and after feeding, and to avoid overstimulation or vigorous activity after eating to allow for proper digestion. If lifestyle interventions are insufficient, consulting with a pediatrician for further management which might include medications like antacids or in severe cases proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) would be the next step for treatment. It's crucial to monitor the infant's development and response to treatment, as well as to be aware of potential environmental hazards like lead exposure from non-food items the baby might put in their mouth.