Early morning reflux pain

["whatmorewashing?"]

Hi, this is my first post but I am desperate. My son (now 10 weeks) has reflux having being diagnosed at 10days following an apnoeic episode. He is on Zantac and Losec which generally manages the pain quite well during the day. It doesn't stop the vomitting but that is only a washing issue. The problem is that he seems to vomit excessively and be in alot of pain between about 4 and 6am and is almost impossible to settle during that time. He is still breastfeed and tends to sleep well between 6/7pm and 12/1am; wake for a feed and then go straight back to sleep. He will then wake for another feed at about 3/4am (although he does not seem too hungry) but then proceeds to vomit that feed up and be in alot of pain. This has been going on for about 4 weeks. The paed. has increased his Losec dose and I am waiting for that to take effect (prob another 4 or 5 days) but was wondering if anyone has suggestions in the meantime. I am doing the standard elevated cot/sitting upright for 10mins after feed etc.

I am not adverse to giving him formula and have tried the Karicare AR formulas but found he is better on S26Gold. The formula is for comp feeding at the moment but I am considering weaning him in a few weeks as I am too sore from all fussing and pulling while breastfeeding and a few blocked ducts/mastitis.

Any suggestions or anyone else experienced the same thing?

[BigW]

Ok, whatmorewashing ....
Hopefully I can help hun, sounds like you're getting toward that breaking point!
If you are breastfeeding, well done, and a massive pat on the back to you. It is no small achievement.:D
Firstly, your diet. Are you aware of foods that could be upsetting for your son? I was given a list when I left hospital which I swear by. It is as follows;
DO EAT: apples, paw paw, bananas, avacado, sprouts, rice, well cooked rolled oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, wholegrain bread, cottage & ricotta cheese, yoghurt (and lots of it!!), asparagus, potato, beetroot, pumpkin, corn, zucchini, celery, carrots, mushrooms, parsley, chicken, fish, red meat, eggs
DON'T EAT: berries, grapes, citrus & stone fruits, pineapple, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, peas, cucumber, capsicum, lettuce, tomatoes (really really bad), radish, turnips, lentils, garlic, raw onion, powdered yeast, strong herbs, tea, coffee and shellfish.
Secondly, my son had reflux after birth, and I took him to see a chiropractor for a little while. His neck was way out of alignment, which in turn was causing him to throw up repeatedly. The other factor is the band around the top of their wee tummies isn't yet fully developed, and lets a bit slip through at times ..... or all the time in your case! :) I know chiros aren't for everyone, you either love them or hate them, however, it was awesome for Zakky, and there was no pain involved for him. Just gentle massage on his spine.
With the situation you have re: blocked ducts etc. I found that Izak feed the best on one side only at least until he was four or five months. That way my breast was being fully drained each side every second feed. He also got the essential fatty hind milk which also helped to settle his tum, and make him a very contented little man, with good sleep cycles - what more could any mum ask?!:rolleyes: I don't think formula will make any difference though in his upset tummy and spew habits ..... I never suffered mastitis at all following this feed pattern, or blocked ducts either thankfully. It is totally preventable.
Feel free to PM me if you want to ask more, I'm only msn messenger away!

[Goosie22]

Nice post BigW,
Just wanted to add, you most probably will have some or all of this information but if not it is all very interesting on GER or GED. Some studies apparently suggest that formula can make symptoms of this disease worse. keep up the good work:)

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBNovDec98p175.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVFebMar03p12.html
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/reflux.html
http://www.speechpathology.com/articles/arc_disp.asp?id=258
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/reflux.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T106004.asp

["whatmorewashing?"]

Thanks for your reply BigW. If this was my only child I would wholeheartedly follow the food suggestions with the breastfeeding. Unfortunately this is number 3 (number 2 had reflux also) and I don't have the time to cook separate meals for me avoiding those foods (which are the ones that seem to be staple in the numbers 1 and 2's diet!) however I will certainly avoid what I can.

Thanks also for the feeding tips. I suffered mastitis with number 2 and found that it was due to the erratic nature of the feeding ie. hungry one feed and would completely drain one side, next feed in pain so would stop after a few minutes and then refuse to go back on the breast. Anyway - we do what we can don't we!!! I am grateful that I have been able to give my son 3 months of breastfeeding and every extra day is a bonus. But if it gives the family a happier environment the formula may just win out.

Thanks for your thread
whatmorewashing?:)

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

Have you tried Brauers stomach calm my daughter is 10 months and still has a bit of reflux and i use this and decreases the pain alot i found she was alot more settled after.It is a natural remidy and has a nice rasberry taste to it.It also reduced alot of the chuck.

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

All the info on their products are
at www.brauer.com.au

[Rell]

Anyway - we do what we can don't we!!! I am grateful that I have been able to give my son 3 months of breastfeeding and every extra day is a bonus. But if it gives the family a happier environment the formula may just win out.


whatmorewashing?:)

I totaly agree with you. 3 months BF is better then nothing.
Both my 2 had reflux and its no fun having a screaming baby all the time. DD was BF until 6weeks and DS only until 2 weeks. I used the Karicare AR for DD and it seemed to help a bit but my DS was much to lazy and refused to drink anything that was thickned.:( If you don't want to change formula's you can buy the Karecare thickener from the chemist and add it to your current formula.
Good luck some babies grow out of it quite fast unfortunatly both mine threw up until they were walking.
Enjoy all that extra washing thats one thing I don't miss:rolleyes:

["whatmorewashing?"]

Thank you so much for your support Rell. It is hard enough dealing with the reflux let alone feeling guilty for stopping breast feeding.

whatmorewashing?:)