Reflux mamas, please advise...

[TennisGal]

...hi ladies...

Ally is currently sleeping in her bouncing chair on advice of HV and doctor, being the perfect angle for reflux, apparently. She has another docs appointment on Thurs to decide if gaviscon is enough for her, and then we want to move her to her basket / cot, with a proper wedge.

I'd really like your advice on which wedge to buy. Bearing in mind, she will be in a largish cot (not cot bed, cot for up to two...Lizzie is ready for her toddler bed now)

I was thinking of these, any advice as to which is better? Or is there something even better I've missed? The first one links to page...I like the baby AR pillow.

https://www.sootheyourbaby.com/ProdsPosSleeping.htm
https://www.babyreflux.co.uk/products/Ultra-Lift-Safely-Cot-Wedge-%2d-30-Degree.html
https://www.babyreflux.co.uk/products/Baby-Lift-Safely-Cot-Wedge.html

Thanks so much. She does lie flat sometimes, but I know shed be more comfortable on an incline.

Also, as an aside, I know that dummies are supposed to ease the pain. I am bfing, it's too early to trial one with her?

Thanks again!

 

[georgebaby1]

they all look gd hun, id see if doc needs her ro be on any meds for the pain as gaviscon just eases the vomiting doesnt stop the acid. in regards to a dummy i personally wouldnt ifur lo doesnt need it, for me the dummy didnt really make any difference but if u thought it would help give it a try.

 

[TennisGal]

Thank you I didn't know that about gaviscon...she's been a lot better since she's had it, but that's also coincided with me eliminating most dairy products (only eaten things by mistake and in small quantities!)

We are seeing the doctor next Thursday to discuss ranitidine...but the doc wanted to give Ally a fair trial on gaviscon first.

I just want to find something for the poor little love.

 

[TennisGal]

Any other opinions?

 

[supertabby]

I can't help with the pillows/wedges as we didn't get one. We raised the cot legs up instead. She's 6 months now and sleeps on flat mattress now as her reflux is better than it was and she also turns herself round in the night now she's older so its a bit pointless lol!

With regard to gaviscon, yes it does just stop vomiting and not acid - it thickens the milk to stop it rising. That said, a lot of irritation is caused by the acid in the vomit - so stopping the vomiting does reduce the number of times acid is coming up the gullet. Isobel has gaviscon and also has omeprazole which is for irritation caused by acid. She is also on domperidone which empties the stomach faster.

We also use Dr browns bottles which I think help, but hubby thinks its coincidence and she is just naturally growing out of it. I think its a bit of both. The bottles don't directly treat the reflux, they are designed to reduce wind and since there is often a bit of sick (and acid) that comes up with wind then reducing wind just takes those occasions out of the equation.

 

[supertabby]

Just realised you are bf, which is even better for wind than Dr browns anyway!

How are you giving the gaviscon? We had to mix it with water and give in a bottle after each bf, but after weeks of thrush that we finally got through (most painful thing ever!) she had developed bad habit of latching on and off constantly, so each feed took an hour or so. I was determined to carry on but once the gaviscon gave her a taste of bottles she gradually started refusing the breast. It destroyed bf for us, looking back I wish we'd talked to the doctor about giving gaviscon a different way, eg syringe. I don't think it was just the gaviscon as I have a friend whose reflux baby is still exclusively bf at 6 months, but I think it didn't help our already tough times with bf.

 

[MrsPoodle]

We didn't get a wedge either, we just put a rolled up towel under her mattress, but she was still in a moses basket then. She use to nap in her bouncy chair too.

 

[stardust599]

I would actually suggest side sleeping with this https://www.safetots.co.uk/p367/-de...-feed&utm_medium=sem&utm_campaign=google-feed, swaddle first if it helps LO. Put something under the top legs of the moses basket and folded blankets or towels under the mattress to give it a really good lift.

I would offer a dummy now as well, will really help. It's not too early and I actually think if you leave it much later LO will be unlikely to accept it.

And there's always tummy sleeping too. I know it's not recommended but in my opinion it's much safer than overnight sleeping in a bouncer chair. Have a google of tummy sleeping and reflux and see what you think xxx

 

[nugget80]

i hadn't realised gaviscon only helps with babies who are actually sick...! my lo was diagnosed with reflux and put on this but he was not a sicky baby and has only been sick a few times! however he does seem a little better on it although that could be down to a change in milk...

 

[TennisGal]

Thanks, ladies. Ally is now asleep on me after crying for an *age*...more spitting up and just looking so sad. I feel awful for my toddler, too. We are supposed to be decorating gingerbread men, and I've not even been able to start

When does reflux go?

I am going to ask the GP about trying ranitidine or omeprazole...wish I knew which would work best!

Super tabby, we give gaviscon in a syringe...5 mls before a feed, and 10 mls afterwards, A hates it! However, it does help...but limited amounts she can take...

 

[georgebaby1]

my lo is on ranitidine and it rlly helps, i think they give that fist theno offer others if this doesnt work as i believe ranitidine is cheaper but it worked wonders for my lo