Biogaia (or other probiotics) for reflux?

[Shellyvet2007]

Anyone try it?
There was a message on Holland a Barret site saying that the bacteria in Biogaia L. reuteri has been shown in studies to significantly help with GI problems in babies. Investigating it on the internet it sounds awesome. Many moms swear by it. But is it to good to be true.

My little boy is 5 weeks now and suffering with bad gas a reflux for the past few 2 weeks. It started with a flu and the doctor perscribed antibiotics because his throat was raw and then the reflux and gas problems seemed to go into hyper drive. He was always a bit of a refluxy baby but it was managable before. Now its gone crazy. He writhes and squirms in his sleep. gets fussy at the breast. spits of like 30 times a day (not large amounts, and can be during or hours after a feed), brings up acid, and curdled milk, coughs, gags, congestion, its sucks big time.

I have been to the gp and they perscribed nasal saline for congestion, and sucking the gunk out with a aspirator thing. And also tried infant gaviscon. But he still not like he was before the flu?

I have ordered some of the drops in from the internet and am hoping that maybe someone else has some experience using them?

 

[Ktothema]

I've not tried these, but this is one reason I had ds on hipp before we had to move him to SMA staydown. I'm very interested to see the answers to this too.

Sorry to hear about your lo. I hope he improves soon x

 

[erikab922]

We had our little one on Bio Gaia but eventually had to call in the big guns (ranitidine). The thing is, it can't hurt so might as well go for it.

 

[nativetexan]

I used Bio Gaia as a preventative measure to try and avoid colic or other digestion issues. We never had any troubles with our LO. She rarely spits up or has gas discomfort. I would recommend it. I'm not sure if that is what helped us avoid any issues, but it could have been. Like PP said, can't hurt to try!

 

[stardust599]

My DS has a swallowing disorder and severe reflux. He also has a sluggish digestive system and suffers wind and constipation really badly His sleep and feeding have been horrific and he has spend periods in hospital with an NG tube for weight loss. He has been on max dose Gaviscon, Omeprazole, Domperidone and a thickener for his swallowing difficulties.

Then I found out about probitiocs and digestive enzymes and I have managed to take him off Gaviscon and Domperidone and he's sleeping better now (3-4 times a night vs 10+ before). I use MRM "Digest-All" for enzymes - I open 2 capsules, mix a large teaspoon of fruit puree and suck some up in a syringe and give 1-2ml before + after every feed. When he was tiny I found the Digest-All was a bit rich and could give him tummy cramps so I moved to Zygest Enzyme Formula but now the MRM works amazingly, if I miss it for a day I can tell straight away. For probitiocs I use Udos Choice Infant Blend Probiotic, I mix half a teaspoon in with 2 or 3 feeds a day (you coat your nipple in it if breastfeeding).

I also use medicinal charcoal (old colic remedy used in the highly rated "colic calm" gripe. water) I give 1/4 to 1/2 a tablet with every 3rd feed and this is amazing for trapped wind (my DS gets horrendous trapped wind from his thickener for his swallowing problem).

He is really settling down now and I plan on stopping his omeprazole as well at 5-6 months when he is sitting up more and digestive system more mature as I hate pumping meds into his tiny body.

I have also heard miracles about alkaline water for reflux babies - you can buy a filter. I've never tried it myself but read some good things about it.

 

[floofymad]

Hey
I've been using Biogaia drops for my lo as she has terrible reflux and trapped wind. Not sure I've noticed that much difference but sticking with it for now..

 

[floofymad]

My DS has a swallowing disorder and severe reflux. He also has a sluggish digestive system and suffers wind and constipation really badly His sleep and feeding have been horrific and he has spend periods in hospital with an NG tube for weight loss. He has been on max dose Gaviscon, Omeprazole, Domperidone and a thickener for his swallowing difficulties.

Then I found out about probitiocs and digestive enzymes and I have managed to take him off Gaviscon and Domperidone and he's sleeping better now (3-4 times a night vs 10+ before). I use MRM "Digest-All" for enzymes - I open 2 capsules, mix a large teaspoon of fruit puree and suck some up in a syringe and give 1-2ml before + after every feed. When he was tiny I found the Digest-All was a bit rich and could give him tummy cramps so I moved to Zygest Enzyme Formula but now the MRM works amazingly, if I miss it for a day I can tell straight away. For probitiocs I use Udos Choice Infant Blend Probiotic, I mix half a teaspoon in with 2 or 3 feeds a day (you coat your nipple in it if breastfeeding).

I also use medicinal charcoal (old colic remedy used in the highly rated "colic calm" gripe. water) I give 1/4 to 1/2 a tablet with every 3rd feed and this is amazing for trapped wind (my DS gets horrendous trapped wind from his thickener for his swallowing problem).

He is really settling down now and I plan on stopping his omeprazole as well at 5-6 months when he is sitting up more and digestive system more mature as I hate pumping meds into his tiny body.

I have also heard miracles about alkaline water for reflux babies - you can buy a filter. I've never tried it myself but read some good things about it.

It sounds like your lo has many of the same problems as mine. Where did you get the charcoal? I'm willing to try anything as at the end of my tether!

 

[chrissbe17]

I started Biogaia with my 3 week old for gas and i definitely think it has helped her a lot!

 

[erikab922]

I will second the Colic Calm, that stuff is absolutely incredible.

 

[Shellyvet2007]

My DS has a swallowing disorder and severe reflux. He also has a sluggish digestive system and suffers wind and constipation really badly His sleep and feeding have been horrific and he has spend periods in hospital with an NG tube for weight loss. He has been on max dose Gaviscon, Omeprazole, Domperidone and a thickener for his swallowing difficulties.

Then I found out about probitiocs and digestive enzymes and I have managed to take him off Gaviscon and Domperidone and he's sleeping better now (3-4 times a night vs 10+ before). I use MRM "Digest-All" for enzymes - I open 2 capsules, mix a large teaspoon of fruit puree and suck some up in a syringe and give 1-2ml before + after every feed. When he was tiny I found the Digest-All was a bit rich and could give him tummy cramps so I moved to Zygest Enzyme Formula but now the MRM works amazingly, if I miss it for a day I can tell straight away. For probitiocs I use Udos Choice Infant Blend Probiotic, I mix half a teaspoon in with 2 or 3 feeds a day (you coat your nipple in it if breastfeeding).

I also use medicinal charcoal (old colic remedy used in the highly rated "colic calm" gripe. water) I give 1/4 to 1/2 a tablet with every 3rd feed and this is amazing for trapped wind (my DS gets horrendous trapped wind from his thickener for his swallowing problem).

He is really settling down now and I plan on stopping his omeprazole as well at 5-6 months when he is sitting up more and digestive system more mature as I hate pumping meds into his tiny body.

I have also heard miracles about alkaline water for reflux babies - you can buy a filter. I've never tried it myself but read some good things about it.

wow. sounds like he had a hard time of it. poor little mite. think it speaks loads for probiotic and enzymes as you are able to start weaning him off meds with such a severe case of reflux. I am hoping they help my little man but only time will tell. I am suspicious that antibiotic played a role on setting things off because it only got really bad after the antibiotics. but then also read that reflux has a tendency to rear its ugly head from 4 - 6 weeks.

 

[floofymad]

Shelley-I would agree with you about the antibiotics. My LO is on them long term because of kidney disorders and the consultant said it will have killed her digestive system, poor thing. She suggested giving her probiotics in her dairy foods.

 

[floofymad]

I will second the Colic Calm, that stuff is absolutely incredible.

Where do you buy yours?

 

[Shellyvet2007]

My DS has a swallowing disorder and severe reflux. He also has a sluggish digestive system and suffers wind and constipation really badly His sleep and feeding have been horrific and he has spend periods in hospital with an NG tube for weight loss. He has been on max dose Gaviscon, Omeprazole, Domperidone and a thickener for his swallowing difficulties.

Then I found out about probitiocs and digestive enzymes and I have managed to take him off Gaviscon and Domperidone and he's sleeping better now (3-4 times a night vs 10+ before). I use MRM "Digest-All" for enzymes - I open 2 capsules, mix a large teaspoon of fruit puree and suck some up in a syringe and give 1-2ml before + after every feed. When he was tiny I found the Digest-All was a bit rich and could give him tummy cramps so I moved to Zygest Enzyme Formula but now the MRM works amazingly, if I miss it for a day I can tell straight away. For probitiocs I use Udos Choice Infant Blend Probiotic, I mix half a teaspoon in with 2 or 3 feeds a day (you coat your nipple in it if breastfeeding).

I also use medicinal charcoal (old colic remedy used in the highly rated "colic calm" gripe. water) I give 1/4 to 1/2 a tablet with every 3rd feed and this is amazing for trapped wind (my DS gets horrendous trapped wind from his thickener for his swallowing problem).

He is really settling down now and I plan on stopping his omeprazole as well at 5-6 months when he is sitting up more and digestive system more mature as I hate pumping meds into his tiny body.

I have also heard miracles about alkaline water for reflux babies - you can buy a filter. I've never tried it myself but read some good things about it.

wow. sounds like he had a hard time of it. poor little mite. think it speaks loads for probiotic and enzymes as you are able to start weaning him off meds with such a severe case of reflux. I am hoping they help my little man but only time will tell. I am suspicious that antibiotic played a role on setting things off because it only got really bad after the antibiotics. but then also read that reflux has a tendency to rear its ugly head from 4 - 6 weeks.

 

[stardust599]

I agree about the antibiotics. I received large doses of IV antibiotics in labour and my DS was horrific from birth!

 

[Misskitty10]

I give biogaia to my lo but she's never been a gassy/ colicky baby!
We just give them
As they are supposed to be good for the general gut health and lessen the chances of catching gastro bugs causing diaoreeh ect.