Advice needed re reflux

[Beck13]

Hi all
I'm in need of some advice with my ds (16wks). I'm pretty sure he has reflux. He's been very fussy on boob for past 2 weeks - feeds well for 5 mins or so then pulls of upset and just pulls on and off, his sleeps have gone haywire - he was self settling really well and only waking once a night for a feed but now he just screams the minute I put him in his cot and is waking alot more often during the night. He is spitting up a bit of milk after a feed but not too much and just yesterday he has started getting this awful cough, like he's trying to clear his throat and mostly after a feed. I have spoken to our local pharmacist (as I can't get in to see the dr) and he said he's 99% sure its reflux. So I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice or tips for me. Hopefully I can get into the dr if I ring 1st thing in the morning but I'd love to hear from others who have experienced reflux.
Ta

[Just*Ace]

Hi my 15 week old dd has reflux. She was diagnosed by a paed who prescribed Losec and mylanta. She has improved so much since being on them, no longer screams in pain all night. She is still having problems with weight gain though. Definitly see a dr and see what he recommends. Also we have to make sure DD is kept upright for about 20 mins after each feed.

[teagan88]

Hello :) DD was diagnosed with reflux at 5 months, with some of the same symtoms as your ds. She would pull on and off while feeding, would not self settle or be settled laying flat and would gt hysterical if I tried to do so . We had someone come out to observe her and she advised DD had reflux. We went to the drs and were prescribed gaviscon, which i later realised is just over the counter and our gp had no idea about reflux :no:It didnt help and dd was automatically constipated. I asked my health nurse and she advised Zantac was GREAT for reflux, so we went back to the drs and asked for zantac. Within days we noticed a difference :yes: dd would be settled in cot laying flat and started drinking better. She does still wake a bit in the night but not sure if thats related, shes never been a great sleeper!! We also have tilted her cot and that seems to have helped as well. Anyway good luck and :hugs: it is so hard to see bubs in pain, I hope you find releif soon :)

[amiee]

i think ds2 has it too, he is only 5 weeks old and when you lay him down he vomits and becomes extremly restless and has the whole arch back thing and crying and congestion in the nose etc.

what i have found that helps is keeping him upright the only time we lay him down flat is when we change his nappy. he sleeps in his pusher with it half up and during the day he either sits in his swing, bouncer or high chair and when we hold him we hold him upright. it stops the vomiting and him seems to be more settled that way.

definatly try and get in to see the dr we are booked for the pead in two weeks so i will ask him about it then

[SmithJane]

what i have found that helps is keeping him upright the only time we lay him down flat is when we change his nappy.

Same here. And we try to only change his nappy before a feed, when he is 'empty' (for want of a better word). He still does little vomits though. Going through the clothes pretty quickly.

[Beck13]

Thanks Ladies! I have been keeping him as upright as possible and have been feeding him as upright as I can and it has helped a little. I actually slept him lastnight in the stroller next to my bed so he could be upright more and he slept quite well. We'll see what happens this morning at the dr's.

[mummyjac]

Hi,
Definitely sounds like reflux to me, both my boys have had it. Usually something like losec will help. If you are BF it will usually help to exclude dairy and soy from your diet. Being upright definitely helps.
Good Luck

[Beck13]

YesI was right, it is reflux. The GP has given us Zantac so we'll see how that goes. Thanks mummyjac I don't eat alot of dairy or soy so I may as well just cut it out.

[mummyjac]

Keep us posted how things go. Zantac can often work for a short while, then stop. If you aren't happy keep going back to the GP or see a paed. I am a member of the RISA(Reflux Infant Support Assoc) check out our website, there are some helpful things there.

[TripleTime]

Do a google search for Australian reflux association. There is a wealth of info on reflux management.

My 17 mo DS reflux kicked in at 3 months.

[hgsmum]

My DS is ten weeks and was diagnosed with reflux at 5 weeks old. He started on gaviscon and is now on Zantac as well. I found that it took about two weeks before we started noticing a difference with the Zantac. His reflux seemed to have disappeared for about a week. However the last couple of days it seems like it has returned!!:(
With the breastfeeding, I have realised that my son feeds the best when he is as relaxed as possible. I will try to catch him before he cries out for food or even get him up from sleeping, still wrapped, so that he starts his feed still in a half sleep - so much more relaxed, no fussing or pulling off the breast to arch and scream.

Good luck with it. There is so much trial and error to find out what works best for your little one.

[zombiekitty]

Yes, it does.

Here are some management tips taken from here (http://www.reflux.org.au) (which is the site TT mentioned). It's a great site.

Feed the baby while they are upright.

Keep baby’s body straight with their head higher than their stomach.

Keep your baby upright for at least 30 minutes after a feed.

Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke.

Avoid overfeeding- if the baby vomits, wait until the next feeding rather than feeding them again. (Check with the doctor or Child Health Nurse that their intake is appropriate)

Consider using a dummy; the swallowing action may help. Talk to your child health nurse if you have any concerns.

Avoid vigorous movements or bouncing the baby.

Put baby in the pram and rock it backwards and forwards over a bump in a rug, etc. Better still; go for a walk outside if you can - the screaming never seems quite so loud in the great outdoors.

Leave a TV or radio or ‘white noise’ CD on for background noise so that the baby is not easily startled by loud noises.

Use products to help keep baby upright or help calm them, such as an automatic baby swing, bouncer and/or baby hammock as suitable. Never let them fall asleep unsupervised in these devices as they are not designed as sleeping products.

The best time to lay your baby on the floor is when their tummy is empty i.e. before a feed
Change nappy before a feed. Take care to avoid lifting baby's legs to change a nappy; try rolling the baby to the side instead.

Avoid any tight clothing around the waist such as tight nappies, elastic waistbands.

Consider offering a spoonful of thickened milk (formula or breastmilk) following the feed. Discuss this option with your child’s doctor first.

If the baby is bottle-fed, it may be worthwhile trying AR (anti-reflux) formula, or a hypoallergenic one. Speak with your child’s doctor.

Some reflux children may suffer from food sensitivities (e.g. cow’s milk protein; soy protein) and may need dietary restrictions (or the mother may consider an elimination diet). If you suspect foods may be responsible for your child’s condition, it is essential to discuss this with your health care provider. Do not change your or your child’s diet before seeking medical advice. Talk to a dietitian.

Put your answering machine on/take the phone off the hook when you get a chance to rest.
Invest in a portable phone if possible. This allows you to keep in touch with friends and family whilst still attending to the baby's needs. It is also perfect to keep beside you during baby feeding times, as the phone almost always rings after you get settled.

Contact a reflux support organisation for further information and support. The effect on the baby AND the family can be devastating and support groups can provide more detailed information, and offer the emotional support you may need.

Burp baby frequently during the feeds (as tolerated).
Try feeding smaller amounts slightly more frequently (unless this upsets baby). Frequent large feeds can trigger reflux.

If your baby is under 12 months of age, elevating the head of the bed is not supported by evidence from research studies (Craig, Hanlon-Dearman, Sinclair, Taback, & Moffatt, 2004).

Elevating the head of bed may be helpful in reducing episodes of reflux in a child who is over the age of 12 months

For children over the age of 12 months, adapt the management strategies to suit e.g. avoid lying down for several hours after meals, eat smaller meals more often etc