Should I try HA Formula?

[vsmiley]

Is it common for reflux babies to chuck even 3 to 4 hours after their bottle? DD always throws up hours after her bottle which seems unusual as I would of thought the feed should be digested by then and they are usually pretty big milky spews as well. She loves to play on her activity mat but as soon as I put her on it(even with her head raised) she just keeps spewing even 4 hours after a bottle!!

DD is 4 months (8.1kilos) and her reflux is no better. She has been on liquid Losec (4ml/day) for about 5 weeks. It seemed to help for a little while but she is now coughing again and getting the hiccups all the time. It is like the milk it just sitting in her throat and her eyes go all watery and she just looks so uncomfortable.

She was on Karicare AR which really reduced the chucking for a few weeks then it was like it just stopped working and the chucking just increased again. And it also caused her to be constipated. The HCN told me just to put her back on Karicare Gold and thickner which has been great for her bowel movements but terrible for her chucking and she seems to fuss alot more with this combination as though she just doesn't like it.

I am a bit adiment to change her formula again but maybe it is the best thing, would a HA formula be better? I am considering Nan HA Gold. I just feel like such a failure because I keep chopping and changing her and nothing seems to work, maybe I am doing more harm than good. I know there is no miracle cure but something has to provide her with some relief. I also feel so guilty because I just want a break from the spew. Maybe even solids?

I am at my wits end and feel like the worst mother because I can't find a way to help my beautiful little girl.:(

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[RISA]

Hi,
Thank you for contacting our organisation. My heart really goes out to you, and I know those awful feelings of guilt, inadequacy and failure!! I think it's really important for you to know that just because this is a big struggle, it doesn't mean you are failing!! You are continuing to look for answers for your little girl, and that is all that you can ask of yourself.

As you say, there is no 'miracle cure' and it often comes down to lots of trial and error. Reflux babies can be very high needs babies, and what makes it worse is that often family and friends just dont understand that. They see a happy, healthy child and don't realise that it is because you spend every hour of every day making sure they stay like that!!

It may help for you to know that lots and lots of reflux parents (especially mothers) feel the same way. I know I did- I thought it was me, and I thought it was because I wasnt cut out to be a mum!! What a horrible feeling. Truth is, it sounds like you are doing a GREAT job, in very difficult circumstances!!

It is also very common for refluxers to still be refluxing and having problems at 4 months. Nobody can actually tell you when they will grow out of it, or when life gets easier- but at some point in time, it definitely does get easier.

ok- and yes, it is common for refluxers to vomit that long after a bottle. It is possible that she has a bit of a slow gut, which may mean her feeds just sit there for longer than normal.

I would recommend talking to your doctor about that, and also because of the discomfort she has due to her vomiting etc. Perhaps a change in medication would help, or even just an increase in it. Sometimes too, drs prescribe a medication that helps the gut empty more quickly, or even prescribe medication to help with the constipation, so there are several different options just there.

To me it makes sense that the AR formula helped for a while by reducing her vomiting, but then it increased again (it perhaps coincided with the time that she became constipated, as constipation often flares reflux simply because of the extra pressure it puts on their tummy).

Do you think it's possible she is still constipated? There are also other things that can flare reflux- like teething, vaccinations, illnesses, a change in routine, being over-tired, and even hot sticky weather- can all impact, so if any of those is happening, that may explain too, why things got worse again.

I think it is really important that you trust your instincts. They are telling you that perhaps a HA formula would work better. That may be on the right track too, as a large percentage of refluxers actually have cows milk protein allergies or intolerances, and sometimes they will tolerate the HA formulas a little better. It is of course up to you whether you change the formula first, but it may pay to talk to your doctor about all the options before you try. There are also other formulas that the dr can prescribe, which are even further broken down that HA formulas. If cows milk/soy protein sensitivity is the problem then they may help significantly.

There are so many different things that you can try, and I know it can be really confusing as you try to do the right thing by your child. Please keep in contact with your doctor, please keep trusting your instincts, and please keep looking for answers! I hope you find something that helps her feel more comfortable soon.

I hope you dont mind, but I'm also going to try to figure out how to send a private message through to you.

I hope all that information helps.
Glenda