Is this reflux?? and what should I do??

[TyBean]

Hi...
My DS is three months old and he has suffered with vomitting from about day 4....
It was getting bad so we changed him from Karocare Sensicare to NAN HA Gold 1 as we were tol it was a slightly thicker formula.
However, he is still chucking... and after some feeds it is like he brings up the whole bottle... It s also quite lumpy and thick at times.
He cries in pain most times when you lie him down, or until he brings up the vomit.
We took him to the doctor and she said it sounds like reflux, but just to leave it.... bu I think it is getting worse...
My brothers were chucky like this and mum sid they went onto Infant Gaviscon and Prepulsid.... is it worth trying this to see if we can get it under control??
Thanks, Cass

[RISA]

Hi Cass,
Thanks for contacting RISA Inc, and congratulations on the birth of your son. It sounds like things have been a bit rough for you all though! It sounds like it may be worth going back to your doctor, to let her know that you think it is getting worse. It may help if you keep a diary for a few days, to clarify about him crying when being laid down and that kind of thing. Sometimes taking another family member or friend along with you, who can back you up, makes an impact (its not just the mum that way, and sometimes that helps). Is he feeding and sleeping okay, or are they a problem as well? You don’t mention them, so I presume it isn’t too bad at least.

Have you read our website, to glean a few tips about managing him at home? Are you keeping him upright after feeds, and being careful not to let him slump? He may like to be carried around in a sling, so long as there is no pressure on his tummy, or keep him upright as much as you can during the day.
Sometimes thickened feeds can help too- have you tried using any of the thickened feeds? Or talk to your pharmacist or doctor about using infant Gaviscon in his bottles, which is one way of thickening feeds. You may be able to use cornflour (gluten free), or rice cereal as well. Sometimes thickened feeds controls the vomiting, and helps them feel more comfortable, though as with all reflux strategies, it may not be the answer. It is all trial and error, and is a matter of following your instincts, and doing what feels right.

The doctor may not be too concerned about the vomiting if his feeds are going well and he continues to put on weight. If either of these are a problem, then she may take the vomiting more seriously, along with the fact he is becoming more distressed with his reflux. Prepulsid is very rarely used these days because of concern about its potential side effects, but there are other reflux medications that are considered to be safe for young babies, and these seem to be used quite frequently. Perhaps it is worth asking your doctor whether one of these would be worth trying. Does your doctor have experience dealing with reflux babies?

If it helps, around 3 to 4 months is generally a time when things are worst, as they are on a liquid diet, and are becoming more active (which means sloshing food around). Also, because it is summer, the hot/sticky weather can flare reflux, and it is quite common for refluxers to be doing worse during this kind of weather. That means too, that it will hopefully settle down as the weather cools down and he gets past this age, but it’s probably too far off to make you feel comfortable.

I hope that information helps, and if there is anything else we can do, please ask,

Glenda

[TyBean]

Hi Glenda...
Thanks for that.... After a feed I do keep him upright... and the sleeping bit.... He is in a bassinett and we have towels under the mattress so he is upright when he sleeps as we found he will not sleep lying flat..
After a feed I do hold him for about an hour as he doesn't want to be put down, and he has to sit upright, I can't lay him in my lap.
He has between 4-8 bottles a day depending and ranges from about 120 to 210 ml per bottle.... and he whinges and pushes the bottle away when he needs to burp... or better still chuck....
He has also recently started making really funny... and scary noises when he chucks.... almost like an adult chucking full on... if you know what I mean.... and he does this and most times does not bring anything up....
I am going to get him into the docs again... but also go to the pharmacy and get some infant gaviscon and see how that goes...
Thanks, Cass :)

[RISA]

Hi Cass,
I hope you find something that helps, as he does sound really uncomfortable, poor little mite. I hope your doctor appt goes well too. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help,

Glenda

[TyBean]

Hi Glenda,
We got some infant gaviscon... just a quick question about making it up.... it says he has to have 2 sachets with 225ml of milk... so do I make up a few bottles and add the sachets in and wen there isn't enough when seperated into feed amounts, can I top it up with just plain formula with no gaviscon, or should I use another lot of made up formula with the gaviscon in it??

Ta, Cass :)

[RISA]

Hi Cass,
Interesting question, but I don't think I'm going to be terribly helpful. It can take a bit of experimenting to find exactly what works best, so you may just need to try it yourself and see. That's the beauty of using Infant Gaviscon or other thickening agents, as you can experiment with how much. When you use thickened formulas that are commercially prepared, you have to make it up to the standard amount/thickness, and can't vary it.

If you still aren't sure, perhaps talk to the pharmacist about what they recommend? You could always give the pharmacists a call on the Medicine Line as they are usually pretty good. Phone 1300 888 763

Hope that helps
Glenda