reflux flaring up again?

[mummymg]

Hi,:shakehands:

I've received such helpful advise from you when my baby was younger, that I'm hoping you can help me out once again. :fingerscrossed:

Ds is now just 9 months old and has been off his Losec for about 10 weeks. We stopped it because he didn't seem to be vomiting anymore - he was a baby that vomited 20-30 times a day so we really noticed the difference!! About this time he started most reluctantly on solids and developed eczema, diarhoea, a cough and a wheeze and a hoarse voice which he still has. Our gp is not worried about any of these, declared him the picture of health - maybe coming down with a cold -and gave us some cream for the eczema.

Ds has started waking more and more frequently at night - he was never a good sleeper but on occasion had stretches of 5-6 hours while he was taking losec. Now he wakes every hour or so and I was wondering if this might be a sign of some silent reflux? Sometimes he is only asleep for 5 or 10 minutes before he wakes again writhing around. He'll only settle with a breastfeed - he was a huge comfort feeder before the losec so this behaviour reminds me of when he was younger. He goes off to sleep just fine during the day and sleeps for 1-2 hours so he can settle himself.

In any case, I've restarted him on the losec, the gp was fine with giving me a new prescription....... does this sound familiar to you at all? My husband has asthma and seasonal allergies so baby may well have them too.

Also, baby is not at all keen on solids even at this point. He seems hungry and will take 2 or 3 spoons of food and then refuses the rest. Same with finger foods, seems eager to start but eats very little. Could this be a sign of reflux ? He probably has about 1-2 tablespoons of solids in total over his 3 meals. He's happy to drink water through a straw.

Sorry I've gone on so long. I had just thought he had completely finished with the reflux but maybe it's an ongoing thing..... :(

Many thanks for your help if you can make any sense out of this!
Sue

[RISA]

Hi Sue

Great that your little guy is no longer vomiting. Did you have reflux in pregnancy? I'm currently 35 wk pregnant and have refluxed the whole way through. It is sooo painful that it wakes me at night and i'm also reluctant to eat at times (although at times the desire to comfort eat overwhelmes me and I'm in dreadful pain afterwards ;-) It also hasn't stopped me putting on 20 kg but that's another story! ). But fortunately I don't vomit (also don't get morning sickness so I shouldn't complain). Sound familiar? I guess what I'm thinking is that your little one may still be suffering from reflux but his gut has matured enough that he's no longer vomiting but the pain is still there, and the reflux is more just up & down the oesophagus.

Some babies just need medication for longer than other. Some babies can come off meds with a restricted diet (often dairy upsets them but can be other things too). Some bubs need both controlled diet and medication and will need this for up to 12 months, some up to 2 years or even beyond. If you feel reflux is still and issue, continue with meds for a little while and perhaps consider seeing a gastroenterologist if it continues past 12 months. They can sometimes guide you regarding diet etc if you are wanting more help. Also if your husband has allergies, perhaps a paediatric allergist may be worth looking into (can be a long wait to see one depending on where you are - up to 12 months). Of course, you and your gp may just be happy to continue to medicate until it seems he no longer needs it.

But definitely food refusal, night waking, irritability and clingy behavior can all be reflux related. I'm sorry you're not through the woods yet. Hopefully it won't be for very much longer. Many babies will improve once walking as they are upright much more and also being so active they will sleep better at night. I hope this will be the case for you.

All the best and I hope things improve soon.

Kind regards

Julie
for RISA Inc

[mummymg]

Thanks for the reply Julie and good luck with your little one on the way. :goodvibes:

Yes, i did have reflux a little towards the end of my pregnancy and it was truely awful. Even the next day I could still feel where I had choked and gagged in my sleep, so I am very sympathetic. Baby has a shocking cold at the moment so I'm hoping that everything will be sorted out within the week!!! :ecomcity: