Reflux Help & Support Thread

[Sarah10]

I know this is abit random but i feel slightly sad that i dont have any pictures of Jayden laying down holding his bottle/me holding it for him, i've seen a few pics on the FF section where the baby is lay down or even on a slant happily feeding, with Jayden he has to be bolt upright, anyone feel like this?

 

[Farie]

Hey everyone for you all, so sorry to hear so many of our little ones are still sufforing.

Nim's reflux is still bad, chucking up anything from 1/8 of an oz to nearly the whole feed, Shes taking around 3oz per feed but it can drop to an oz if shes unhappy.
The losecs still keeping most of the pain away, shes till on 20mg a day (10mg morning and evening)

Stardust - try putting golden syrup in with the neocate, it helped nim with the taste - that or brown sugar.
The Dr wont prescribe domperidone for Nim either, looks like I'll be dealing with vom for a while yet!
Happyface, how are you?
Pupymon - hope it starts working soon

 

[stardust599]

fluffyblue - i think you need to wait a week or two on each milk to give it time to get right through their system and for their digestive system to adjust, let us know how you get on. Is the homeopathy stuff making a difference? I was thinking of getting something but I can't decide what suits my LO better - dioscorea, nat phos or lycopodium, will have to look into it further. Also looking at colic calm but it's so expensive I bloody grudge it!

Last night was rough - up every 10mins from 2.30 onwards but been a better day for us, feeds 6.30am 2 ounce, 9.30am 1 ounce, 10.30am 1 ounce, 12.30pm 4ounces, 4pm 2 ounce and 7pm 5ounce! Only a little screaming at each feed too. It's heaven compared to what the past few days have been like.

Went to see paediatrician who was useless tbh, didn't want to do a scan or further investigation as she has gained weight and she was happy while in the hospital and finished 4ounces of milk in front of him without any fuss (a first in a couple of weeks!). He actually said "why would I bother with a healthy baby?"

Anyway, he did agree to up her Omeprazole to 15mg a day which he says is the maximum dose for her weight so I've given her an extra 5mg today and she does seem a little more settled.

He also told me if Neocate isn't making much difference for us then I should experiment with different milks. He tried to get hold of a goat's milk formula for me but none of the chemists stock it. He told me it was the only thing that eventually settled a baby similar to Macy but they can't prescribe it. When I came home I looked online and discovered it's not recommended in the UK so I don't wan't to try it anyway!

I have bought some SMA Lactose Free and she did seem to prefer the taste and just finished 5ounces at bedtime, just praying it doesn't upset her tummy but she seems okay so far! I'll stick at it for at least a week and if no difference I've to try SMA Wysoy.

I think it's kind of pointless though as she has full, natural pre-biotic yoghurt which doesn't upset her tummy at all, infact it actually settles her but she seems to be in pain with normal formulas :-S I don't get it as it's the same proteins and lactose in it! I'm thinking that maybe her digestive system is a little immature as she was induced 3 weeks early due to IUGR and maybe she just can't digest milk very well.

I asked for domperidone for the sickness and I thought as it empties the stomach quicker it might help her appetite too but he said that it's not possible as paediatrics are now moving away from domperidone because of the side effects. Bloody rubbish if you ask me as I've heard lots of Mums say their LOs are on domperidone and haven't mentioned any nasty side effects!

thanx for the support happyface and miss_bump, i like to come on here when things are tough cos i know there are others who understand

xx

Sorry not been on for ages sorry our lo's are still suffering,
Well we had paeds app, stardust he prescribed domperidone off his own back, sorry your having a tough time.

Millie is now on ranitadine 3 x a day, domperidone twice a day, colief and gaviscon. Breast milk has deffinately helped with sickness,no where near as bad as she was on formula.

I hope the domperidone works for you, it's awful to see our LOs suffering! I might ask again for the domperidone next time again, I might just ask to try it for a week and I'll stop if there are any side effects and see what they say.

It always seems like Macys on a lot of medication too -

Omeprazole twice a day
Neocate
Lactulose twice a day
Infacol as needed
Gripe water as needed
Chamomilla to help her sleep

It's never ending!


Sarah - Macy has to be held quite upright too, she also doesn't stay happy enough during a feed to take a picture She was pretty bad today that I had to hold her up against my shoulder like I was winding her and feed her completely upright!

Farie - Are you thickening the feeds now that the pain is under control? There is something called carobel you can use or you could try gaviscon or did you try some rice in each feed? I'll try the brown sugar as I have some in the cupboard - can I add it every feed? Macy takes 2-3 ounce every 3hours, less on bad days and if she's having a really brilliant day she can even manage a couple of 7oz feeds but this has only ever happened maybe three times. Macy only projectile vomits the whole feed on average once a day now but she's constantly chucking up little bits - maybe a tablespoon full during/after every feed. Her reflux used to be silent too :-S

xx

 

[happyface82]

We've been doing really good I have to say!! Since she was put on medication for her gut she has settled a lot. I just hope it stays that way as this has been going on for too long!

Stardust I hope you see an improvement soon!! It is so hard I know!

And puppymom I hope this does the trick! Give it a few days!

 

[bathbabe]

Got hospital appointment for harrisons reflux tomorrow so i will update you as and when! I hope something constructive comes out of it! X

 

[happyface82]

Good luck bathbabe! Let us know how u get on! Xxx

 

[Alias]

Yay! E has been eating almost everything she's given since last Friday, and we haven't had a vomit since Monday. I think we're back on even keel! I'm going to give her another week on the full dose losec (only 5mg per day, thankfully) and then start reducing it again. Fingers crossed we might get her off of it before her first birthday

 

[Farie]

Hey hon, yup, add about 1/4 of a teaspoon to each bottle (it helps constipation too LOL)
Do you think the omeprazols helping? PM me if you think a higher dose might be better, I might be able to help.

Nim's reflux used to be silent to ... not so much anymore, she looses about 1/2-1oz each feed. Usually just a continuous dribble but occasionally power chucking (like in a cafe today ) She takes on average 3oz per feed, some feeds less. Gahhh so stressful
I think neocate being so thin doesnt help - it just comes up so easily and they drink less cos its nasty! I often feel she takes enough to 'quench her thirst' but not really fill her belly iykwim?
She gets sore and gassy quite a bit but I've been avoiding the infacol as it makes her reflux so much worse. Weleda colic powders and gripe water help - and the gripe water soothes her throat too if she gets sore.

bathbabe - good luck
happyface - so pleased things are looking up great news
worrisome - glad millies ok, well done with the BFing - you did so well!!

We cant get carobel out here I am seriously considering the rice ... just need her to reach 12 weeks as per paeds instructions nearly there!

 

[stardust599]

Hey hon, yup, add about 1/4 of a teaspoon to each bottle (it helps constipation too LOL)
Do you think the omeprazols helping? PM me if you think a higher dose might be better, I might be able to help.

Nim's reflux used to be silent to ... not so much anymore, she looses about 1/2-1oz each feed. Usually just a continuous dribble but occasionally power chucking (like in a cafe today ) She takes on average 3oz per feed, some feeds less. Gahhh so stressful
I think neocate being so thin doesnt help - it just comes up so easily and they drink less cos its nasty! I often feel she takes enough to 'quench her thirst' but not really fill her belly iykwim?
She gets sore and gassy quite a bit but I've been avoiding the infacol as it makes her reflux so much worse. Weleda colic powders and gripe water help - and the gripe water soothes her throat too if she gets sore.

bathbabe - good luck
happyface - so pleased things are looking up great news
worrisome - glad millies ok, well done with the BFing - you did so well!!

We cant get carobel out here I am seriously considering the rice ... just need her to reach 12 weeks as per paeds instructions nearly there!

I PMd you about the omeprazole and have been putting the brown sugar in her bottles, doing down much better but still has that horrible bitter taste she doesn't like, why can't they make it taste better lol! Macy does the same as Nim - taking just enough to keep the hunger pangs away even if she's not in any pain won't take more to fill her up but if I was to offer her another sweet milk she'd take it then it would upset her tummy later on. We're on 2oz most feeds, 3oz some feeds and 4oz at bedtime then 6oz (this one has rice in it to stop her being sick in sleep, I wonder if it's more comfortable for her thicker?) when she's sleeping at her dreamfeed, I wonder why the night feeds are always much better :-S

Yep, I've always avoided infacol too as it makes things worse but I was desperate as she had terrible trapped wind, had to keep massaging her tummy and holding her legs up at her neck to help it come out and she was screaming every time it did! I have gripe water that helps too.

I hope the rice works for you, I've had Macy back on solids, 3 meals a day for the past few days and she's a million times better - no trapped wind and taking much more around - 20oz a day. Are you allowed to thicken with baby gaviscon, even just half a sachet each feed?

xx

 

[Gemz01]

Is it reflux?

I have been reading as much of this thread as possible and the more I read the more I am convinced my little girl has it. Her symptoms are as follows;

* Excessive wind (Bottom)
* Waking up screaming (one scream then goes back to sleep?!)
* Fusses ridiculously on breast (turns her head, arches back etc) - the thing about this one though is that she does want to boob cos once we are on for longer than a few minutes she is happily feeding (does take a few rather frustrating attempts to get her to latch and stay latched)
* Wakes up often (longest nap she has is about 20 minutes) but she does sleep well from 11pm till 6-8am.
* She does pull her legs up to her tummy but she does this when playing too?
* Does seem generally happy most of the time though (esp when she has her dummy)
* Falls asleep on boob but when putting her into crib she wakes and wants picking up
* Has a blocked and runny nose (since jabs)

Hope you can help, thanks!

 

[stardust599]

Is it reflux?

I have been reading as much of this thread as possible and the more I read the more I am convinced my little girl has it. Her symptoms are as follows;

* Excessive wind (Bottom)
* Waking up screaming (one scream then goes back to sleep?!)
* Fusses ridiculously on breast (turns her head, arches back etc) - the thing about this one though is that she does want to boob cos once we are on for longer than a few minutes she is happily feeding (does take a few rather frustrating attempts to get her to latch and stay latched)
* Wakes up often (longest nap she has is about 20 minutes) but she does sleep well from 11pm till 6-8am.
* She does pull her legs up to her tummy but she does this when playing too?
* Does seem generally happy most of the time though (esp when she has her dummy)
* Falls asleep on boob but when putting her into crib she wakes and wants picking up
* Has a blocked and runny nose (since jabs)

Hope you can help, thanks!

Hey hun, it doesn't sound like reflux to me but she could still have a little bit, I'm not expert.

It sounds like trapped wind actually, have you tried Infacol or Detinox? You have to give it EVERY feed for a few days before it takes effect though. Also wind thoroughly and then pick baby up and wind again 15minutes later.

If she's only fussing on the breast at the start could you have an overactive or even a slow letdown - this could also explain the wind as she'll be gulping air trying to latch. I had a powerful letdown when I was breastfeeding and the milk used to spray out so fast Macy would gulp and fuss trying to get latch and get a proper flow going and she'd pull away and get sprayed in the eyes with milk etc.

Reflux babies who are fussing when feeding tend to start off okay then get worse as the feeds goes on and more acid gets the chance to come up.

I would visit the breastfeeding section as they will have plenty of tips for an overactive letdown, I think you latch the baby, replace the nipple with your finger in babies mouth, catch the breastmilk in a cloth or something until the flow settles and then re-latch baby? Not quite sure of how you'd tell if you have a slow letdown though - maybe they'll be able to help.

I think the waking up when you put her in crib is normal, she's used to falling asleep on the breast so when she's in a light sleep she realises it's not there and gets upset/confused! Maybe look at using shhh/pat or something and putting her down awake to teach her to self settle a bit better? xxx

 

[Gemz01]

Is it reflux?

I have been reading as much of this thread as possible and the more I read the more I am convinced my little girl has it. Her symptoms are as follows;

* Excessive wind (Bottom)
* Waking up screaming (one scream then goes back to sleep?!)
* Fusses ridiculously on breast (turns her head, arches back etc) - the thing about this one though is that she does want to boob cos once we are on for longer than a few minutes she is happily feeding (does take a few rather frustrating attempts to get her to latch and stay latched)
* Wakes up often (longest nap she has is about 20 minutes) but she does sleep well from 11pm till 6-8am.
* She does pull her legs up to her tummy but she does this when playing too?
* Does seem generally happy most of the time though (esp when she has her dummy)
* Falls asleep on boob but when putting her into crib she wakes and wants picking up
* Has a blocked and runny nose (since jabs)

Hope you can help, thanks!

Hey hun, it doesn't sound like reflux to me but she could still have a little bit, I'm not expert.

It sounds like trapped wind actually, have you tried Infacol or Detinox? You have to give it EVERY feed for a few days before it takes effect though. Also wind thoroughly and then pick baby up and wind again 15minutes later.

If she's only fussing on the breast at the start could you have an overactive or even a slow letdown - this could also explain the wind as she'll be gulping air trying to latch. I had a powerful letdown when I was breastfeeding and the milk used to spray out so fast Macy would gulp and fuss trying to get latch and get a proper flow going and she'd pull away and get sprayed in the eyes with milk etc.

Reflux babies who are fussing when feeding tend to start off okay then get worse as the feeds goes on and more acid gets the chance to come up.

I would visit the breastfeeding section as they will have plenty of tips for an overactive letdown, I think you latch the baby, replace the nipple with your finger in babies mouth, catch the breastmilk in a cloth or something until the flow settles and then re-latch baby? Not quite sure of how you'd tell if you have a slow letdown though - maybe they'll be able to help.

I think the waking up when you put her in crib is normal, she's used to falling asleep on the breast so when she's in a light sleep she realises it's not there and gets upset/confused! Maybe look at using shhh/pat or something and putting her down awake to teach her to self settle a bit better? xxx

Hey thanks for responding.

I tried Infacol before and it didn't do much for her tbh. I do wind her thoroughly and if my husband is home I get him to wind her too during their cuddles. I am always winding her, maybe not enough but it sure feels like it.

I tend to be quite full before a feed over night but during the day I am certainly not and I feel empty a lot during the day. At night I feed her lying down with no problems - she only feeds for 10 minutes at night though (and only gets me up once if that.) I should have been more specific but the whole feed during the day (every 3-4 hours) is a nightmare now, she fusses like she doesn't want it but then in the same breath I can tell she does want it... that sounds confusing so I hope you get what I am trying to say. Its just a BIG OLE pain to get her to feed now. I just tried to feed her 8pm feed and she played up so bad I just hugged her and she fell asleep - so is now missing this feed

Anyway if you don't feel its reflux then I shall just keep an eye on it and maybe just get her checked out generally. Thanks again.

 

[bathbabe]

We are going to switch harrison to cow and gate infasoy milk to see if it makes a difference

Keep going with the gaviscon and ranitidine

Not going to worry with domperidone if the soya milk works

Gotta go back for a 3rd visit in may which will be with a dietition (sp?) As well to see if there is anything else in his diet it could be

Xx


Eta: anyone has any experience with soya milk? And as he is on comfort he needs to be weaned off it i cant just do a straight swap, so, anyone know if its ok to mix them both in a bottle until its all soya? X

 

[happyface82]

Hey!

I am sorry I can't help with the milk change. I haven't got experience of soy milk myself. Maybe someone else can help?

I hope this works for you. It is not fair for babies of that age to be dealing with this. That's what I think. Maybe I'm biased cause my baby is one of them!

 

[stardust599]

Is it reflux?

I have been reading as much of this thread as possible and the more I read the more I am convinced my little girl has it. Her symptoms are as follows;

* Excessive wind (Bottom)
* Waking up screaming (one scream then goes back to sleep?!)
* Fusses ridiculously on breast (turns her head, arches back etc) - the thing about this one though is that she does want to boob cos once we are on for longer than a few minutes she is happily feeding (does take a few rather frustrating attempts to get her to latch and stay latched)
* Wakes up often (longest nap she has is about 20 minutes) but she does sleep well from 11pm till 6-8am.
* She does pull her legs up to her tummy but she does this when playing too?
* Does seem generally happy most of the time though (esp when she has her dummy)
* Falls asleep on boob but when putting her into crib she wakes and wants picking up
* Has a blocked and runny nose (since jabs)

Hope you can help, thanks!

Hey hun, it doesn't sound like reflux to me but she could still have a little bit, I'm not expert.

It sounds like trapped wind actually, have you tried Infacol or Detinox? You have to give it EVERY feed for a few days before it takes effect though. Also wind thoroughly and then pick baby up and wind again 15minutes later.

If she's only fussing on the breast at the start could you have an overactive or even a slow letdown - this could also explain the wind as she'll be gulping air trying to latch. I had a powerful letdown when I was breastfeeding and the milk used to spray out so fast Macy would gulp and fuss trying to get latch and get a proper flow going and she'd pull away and get sprayed in the eyes with milk etc.

Reflux babies who are fussing when feeding tend to start off okay then get worse as the feeds goes on and more acid gets the chance to come up.

I would visit the breastfeeding section as they will have plenty of tips for an overactive letdown, I think you latch the baby, replace the nipple with your finger in babies mouth, catch the breastmilk in a cloth or something until the flow settles and then re-latch baby? Not quite sure of how you'd tell if you have a slow letdown though - maybe they'll be able to help.

I think the waking up when you put her in crib is normal, she's used to falling asleep on the breast so when she's in a light sleep she realises it's not there and gets upset/confused! Maybe look at using shhh/pat or something and putting her down awake to teach her to self settle a bit better? xxx

Hey thanks for responding.

I tried Infacol before and it didn't do much for her tbh. I do wind her thoroughly and if my husband is home I get him to wind her too during their cuddles. I am always winding her, maybe not enough but it sure feels like it.

I tend to be quite full before a feed over night but during the day I am certainly not and I feel empty a lot during the day. At night I feed her lying down with no problems - she only feeds for 10 minutes at night though (and only gets me up once if that.) I should have been more specific but the whole feed during the day (every 3-4 hours) is a nightmare now, she fusses like she doesn't want it but then in the same breath I can tell she does want it... that sounds confusing so I hope you get what I am trying to say. Its just a BIG OLE pain to get her to feed now. I just tried to feed her 8pm feed and she played up so bad I just hugged her and she fell asleep - so is now missing this feed

Anyway if you don't feel its reflux then I shall just keep an eye on it and maybe just get her checked out generally. Thanks again.

Hmmm. Give detinox a shot just incase, it might help but if it doesn't I think it's only £2.50 for a wee bottle anyway! Well it doesn't sound like it's your milk letdown then cos you'd notice it - Macy would pull off choking and the milk would squirt across the room in full force lol.

If she's fussing the whole way through she could well be uncomfortable with reflux, I really don't know :-S

I know what you mean about refusing the feed but wanting it at the same time. Our feeds go gulp gulp gulp, fuss, suck suck suck, scream scream scream scream, gulp gulp etc. the whole way through! It's really frustrating as she doesn't understand she needs to take her time and go slowly. I just cuddle her close, stop as soon as she starts to fuss, stroke and talk or sing to her to keep her as calm as I can.

I used to have to put Macy to bed without a feed too cos she wouldn't take it, I would actually leave her be for half an hour and then pick her up and dreamfeed her - you might have to wake her just slightly to get her to latch though but try not to fully wake her. Macy always feeds best when she's asleep or overnight as the stomach makes less acid.

Have a google of "silent reflux" and see if it matches her at all? Some of the main things are constant hiccups, raw throat, gurgly tummy, back arching and refusing feed then frantically wanting back on, gagging, choking seemingly on nothing, a lot of wind/burps (from too much acid in the stomach), bad acidy breath, either refusing to feed unless starving or wanting to comfort feed all the time,. Got this from here https://www.acidreflux-heartburn-gerd.net/acidreflux/infantsilentreflux.html.

We used to have the problem of 20-30 min naps too! I don't know if was down to the reflux or not, I think it was part of it but the main problem was she was falling asleep on me, while feeding or with dummy and then when she got into a light sleep and it wasn't there she got confused and woke up looking for it. I started to put her down just seconds before she fell asleep and used shhh/pat to get her fully sleeping and have gradually put her down earlier and earlier and I can now put her down fully awake with no shhh/pat. She cries for 3 or 4 min but it's just a wind down and she goes to sleep. I often hear her let out a little cry about 30mins or so after she went to sleep but she normally self settles again and goes back to sleep for another hour or so. The last few days she's been waking really frequently but only cos the reflux is really bad just now

I used chamomilla granules (nelsons teetha powder about a fiver a pack) which help her sleep millions!

You can also buy prebiotic powders which are meant to be great at helping reflux, colic etc.

But if her pain and fussiness start to interfere with feeding/sleeping you should go and get it checked out. There is no harm in trying some gaviscon (usually the 1st step) to see if it helps a little. Keep popping in and let us know how u get on!! xxx

 

[Gemz01]

Have a google of "silent reflux" and see if it matches her at all? Some of the main things are constant hiccups, raw throat, gurgly tummy, back arching and refusing feed then frantically wanting back on, gagging, choking seemingly on nothing, a lot of wind/burps (from too much acid in the stomach), bad acidy breath, either refusing to feed unless starving or wanting to comfort feed all the time,. Got this from here https://www.acidreflux-heartburn-gerd.net/acidreflux/infantsilentreflux.html.

This sounds very similar to her symptoms (I forgot to mention the frequent hiccups and rumbling tummy!) The frantic wanting on, and refusing is very spot on a description to what I was trying to describe earlier. I think I shall go to the doctor's cos' I shall only be worried all the time. Another thing I should mention is her body when feeding - its like she goes all stiff (arches back) so much so that her body is no longer curling around mine (tummy to tummy) but quite the opposite.

thank you so much!

 

[KittyRN]

I've been reading through this thread for awhile.

My son used to eat nonstop as a baby and cry if off the breast (I slept with him latched on). He has since outgrown that, however, still spits up TONS!!! I mean sometimes it looks like the entire feed! He doesnt seem overly uncomfortable with the spitting up but does grunt and strain alot (not with tooting or pooping, he does those without any issues). The grunting/straining seems random although he does spit up more when doing it.

He doesnt seem to mind lying flat, he sleeps good at night, although is an awful day time napper. He spits up regardless of position (upright, lying flat, on his belly, on his side, etc he spits up). He does it right after eating as well as hours later.

He was on zantac for awhile but I didnt think it waws doing much so we tried prevacid, with nothing changing. We are now back on Zantac and just started domperidone to hopefully help with the amount of spit up.

He does not seem to spit up at all at night (only typically has one feed through the night) and doesnt spit up in his sleep or anything although he used to. He does choke on his spit up sometimes and it comes out his nose too at time.

He has been gaining very well up until recently. He was gaining about a pound every2-3 weeks but now has been 19 pounds for about 2 weeks. His diaper output seems a bit low but if I try to give him bottles after breastfeeding he either refuses or just spits it all up anyways.

I have pretty much cut out all dairy/soy and avoid other typical problem foods like caffeine, chocolate, citrus, etc.

Does this sound like reflux? food allergy/intolerance? His poops are typically dark yellow and occasionally have mucous in them.

My biggest concern is that he is not getting enough either due to spitting up so much or not taking in enough or a combination. Although he seems to enjoy being at the breast.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. All doctor's arent concerned because he's only 4.5 months and 19 pounds so he's been growing rather well. But the sudden slowing down of weight gain and low diaper output (maybe 4 heavy wet a day) really worries me.

 

[stephybump2be]

Is it reflux?

I have been reading as much of this thread as possible and the more I read the more I am convinced my little girl has it. Her symptoms are as follows;

* Excessive wind (Bottom)
* Waking up screaming (one scream then goes back to sleep?!)
* Fusses ridiculously on breast (turns her head, arches back etc) - the thing about this one though is that she does want to boob cos once we are on for longer than a few minutes she is happily feeding (does take a few rather frustrating attempts to get her to latch and stay latched)
* Wakes up often (longest nap she has is about 20 minutes) but she does sleep well from 11pm till 6-8am.
* She does pull her legs up to her tummy but she does this when playing too?
* Does seem generally happy most of the time though (esp when she has her dummy)
* Falls asleep on boob but when putting her into crib she wakes and wants picking up
* Has a blocked and runny nose (since jabs)

Hope you can help, thanks!

Hey hun, it doesn't sound like reflux to me but she could still have a little bit, I'm not expert.

It sounds like trapped wind actually, have you tried Infacol or Detinox? You have to give it EVERY feed for a few days before it takes effect though. Also wind thoroughly and then pick baby up and wind again 15minutes later.

If she's only fussing on the breast at the start could you have an overactive or even a slow letdown - this could also explain the wind as she'll be gulping air trying to latch. I had a powerful letdown when I was breastfeeding and the milk used to spray out so fast Macy would gulp and fuss trying to get latch and get a proper flow going and she'd pull away and get sprayed in the eyes with milk etc.

Reflux babies who are fussing when feeding tend to start off okay then get worse as the feeds goes on and more acid gets the chance to come up.

I would visit the breastfeeding section as they will have plenty of tips for an overactive letdown, I think you latch the baby, replace the nipple with your finger in babies mouth, catch the breastmilk in a cloth or something until the flow settles and then re-latch baby? Not quite sure of how you'd tell if you have a slow letdown though - maybe they'll be able to help.

I think the waking up when you put her in crib is normal, she's used to falling asleep on the breast so when she's in a light sleep she realises it's not there and gets upset/confused! Maybe look at using shhh/pat or something and putting her down awake to teach her to self settle a bit better? xxx

Hi there,

This does sound like reflux to me - i'm also bf a baby with relux and am also trained as a 'bf peer support volunteer' (Scotland, UK)

Your milk has a natural antacid effect which could be why she wants to feed all the time. My DD went through this stage but, as the pain worsened, she did the opposite: started refusing to feed.

My DD has severe 'silent reflux' (no vomiting & good weight gain) and is on Gaviscon infant sachets (9x daily), 4x 2.2ml Domperidone and 16.4mg omeprazole (losec mups) - weighs 5.74kg / 12lb 10oz

DON'T stop bf if you can avoid it - it's much easier to digest than FF which may make the problem worse. Have a look at the following websites:

kellymom.com
infant rflux.com
askdrsears.com (search for reflux or GER)

Don't take no for an answer - I had to take her to A&E at Childrens Hospital before anyine would listen!

hope this helps x

My

 

[stephybump2be]

Is it reflux?

I have been reading as much of this thread as possible and the more I read the more I am convinced my little girl has it. Her symptoms are as follows;

* Excessive wind (Bottom)
* Waking up screaming (one scream then goes back to sleep?!)
* Fusses ridiculously on breast (turns her head, arches back etc) - the thing about this one though is that she does want to boob cos once we are on for longer than a few minutes she is happily feeding (does take a few rather frustrating attempts to get her to latch and stay latched)
* Wakes up often (longest nap she has is about 20 minutes) but she does sleep well from 11pm till 6-8am.
* She does pull her legs up to her tummy but she does this when playing too?
* Does seem generally happy most of the time though (esp when she has her dummy)
* Falls asleep on boob but when putting her into crib she wakes and wants picking up
* Has a blocked and runny nose (since jabs)

Hope you can help, thanks!

Hey hun, it doesn't sound like reflux to me but she could still have a little bit, I'm not expert.

It sounds like trapped wind actually, have you tried Infacol or Detinox? You have to give it EVERY feed for a few days before it takes effect though. Also wind thoroughly and then pick baby up and wind again 15minutes later.

If she's only fussing on the breast at the start could you have an overactive or even a slow letdown - this could also explain the wind as she'll be gulping air trying to latch. I had a powerful letdown when I was breastfeeding and the milk used to spray out so fast Macy would gulp and fuss trying to get latch and get a proper flow going and she'd pull away and get sprayed in the eyes with milk etc.

Reflux babies who are fussing when feeding tend to start off okay then get worse as the feeds goes on and more acid gets the chance to come up.

I would visit the breastfeeding section as they will have plenty of tips for an overactive letdown, I think you latch the baby, replace the nipple with your finger in babies mouth, catch the breastmilk in a cloth or something until the flow settles and then re-latch baby? Not quite sure of how you'd tell if you have a slow letdown though - maybe they'll be able to help.

I think the waking up when you put her in crib is normal, she's used to falling asleep on the breast so when she's in a light sleep she realises it's not there and gets upset/confused! Maybe look at using shhh/pat or something and putting her down awake to teach her to self settle a bit better? xxx

Hey thanks for responding.

I tried Infacol before and it didn't do much for her tbh. I do wind her thoroughly and if my husband is home I get him to wind her too during their cuddles. I am always winding her, maybe not enough but it sure feels like it.

I tend to be quite full before a feed over night but during the day I am certainly not and I feel empty a lot during the day. At night I feed her lying down with no problems - she only feeds for 10 minutes at night though (and only gets me up once if that.) I should have been more specific but the whole feed during the day (every 3-4 hours) is a nightmare now, she fusses like she doesn't want it but then in the same breath I can tell she does want it... that sounds confusing so I hope you get what I am trying to say. Its just a BIG OLE pain to get her to feed now. I just tried to feed her 8pm feed and she played up so bad I just hugged her and she fell asleep - so is now missing this feed

Anyway if you don't feel its reflux then I shall just keep an eye on it and maybe just get her checked out generally. Thanks again.

Sorry Gemz - missed this post - I'm REALLY sure you're dealing with reflux now.

Don't delay as it will get progressively worse - have a look at the websites i mentioned then get straight to the docs - it's continuing to cause damage the lining of her stomach and oesophagus as long as it continues unmedicated. Medication will allow these to heal but it can take 4-6wks.

I've had all sorts of problems with Nursing strikes, refusing some feeds and it's played havoc with my supply. try to get hold of a hospital grade double pump or just find out where you can get hold of one, in case you need to express missed feeds as it will be a godsend!

Please let me know how you get on x

 

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Hi girls well after a restless night I have been the docs and got the gaviscon, so gotta do one sachet in every feed - just a quick question

Ollie weighs nearly 11lb so is over the 4.5kg threshold for two sachets in 8oz of feed but he would never ever take 8oz so should I just stick to the one sachet in 4oz and see how he gets on. Im not being picky but I dont want to waste that much formula. He had a really really bad night he also has a viral infection with a temp of 38.3 so a very grumpy and noisy baby feeling exceptionally sorry for himself !

Will let you know how we get on but at least its a start x