Reflux v just throwing up

[lukaelmo]

Am just wondering how you distinguish between normal baby throwing up and reflux.

Little Felix (chuckie :D) seems to throw up quite a bit of his feeds (BF). Not after every feed, but yesterday, and again this morning he did HUGE throw ups, it really seemed like a lot of milk, and it was a little bit projected. Is this normal for little bubbas? Luka never really threw up at all, so I've got nothing to go by.

I have looked at the reflux info page, and really, the only thing he does from this list is have little vommies. Other than that he is super settled, sleeps well, hardly cries etc... and after a vommie he usually goes straight to sleep, so it doesn't bother him at all.

Does this just sound like normal baby behaviour?

[blueangel]

My bubba has reflux and throws up little bits (probably a tablespoon) ALL the time. The difference is that he is upset by it, he is really uncomfortable before he does it and cries afterwards because it burns his little throat :crying:

I think if they are all right with it and it doesn't bother them and they are gaining weight well then it is not an issue. You can always run it by the CHN next time you see her to be sure.

[lukaelmo]

Thanks Blueangel, I am sorry your bubba is upset by this and in pain :(.

The throwing up isn't bothering Felix at all, and I will take him to the chemist today to check his weight gain. Surely he would let me know if he were unhappy...

[mim1]

My neice is what they call a 'happy chucker'. She is quite happy to chuck up most of her feed given the opportunity. It drove my poor SIL nuts (constantly washing both of their clothes), but it didn't distress my little neice at all. She didn't need medicine for reflux cause she wasn't in pain, but my SIL was told to add thickener to her feeds. Obviously not an option with breastmilk (you can give it in water after a breastfeed, but trust me it's not worth the stress) ... so invest in lots of bibs and clothes and enjoy your bub :).

[Rell]

Hi there
Given your little boys age I would get him checked by a Dr. There is another comdition called pyloric stenosis which presents as projectile vomiting in newborns. It is best to get him checked just to rule this condition out.
If you want more info let me know

[LotusMum]

Sounds pretty normal to me. Most babies vomit after a feed every so often. It is called possetting. Reflux can be a huge issue and generally, if they have it, you know it. There is a lot of distress involved, weight gain issues (either heaps or a little), sleeping issues among other things.
As for that thing Narelle mentioned, that is charactorised by major projectiles, like a metre or so distances in vomiting. We were talked to about this one when in Hospital with Josie, so I think that owuld be another case of if they have it, you cant mistake it. Aparently its an easy one to fix with an operation. Still, not so easy on the parents.
I hope that you find your answers that you need and I hope that your baby does not have either of these conditions.

[jembelina]

Yep, ds1 was a 'happy chucker' and some higher power thought it might be a good idea to give me another - you know, cos I just LOVE washing:rolleyes:
I have asked and asked about it and found that it is perfectly fine and normal so long they are gaining weight and aren't upset by it.
Get yourself a raincoat and learn to laugh (not cry as I have been known to do when ds2 has vomited bown my last clean bra 10 minutes before we are due to have visitors:laughing: ).

[Rell]

As for that thing Narelle mentioned, that is charactorised by major projectiles, like a metre or so distances in vomiting. We were talked to about this one when in Hospital with Josie, so I think that owuld be another case of if they have it, you cant mistake it. Aparently its an easy one to fix with an operation. Still, not so easy on the parents.
.

Actually pyloric stenosis is often mistaken for reflux even by drs. With my DS we thoght it was just reflux first, he started vomiting at every second feed and then it became about 20min after every feed. It was only the day before he was diagnosed that the vomits became really projectile.

It is most likely reflux or just normal baby possetting but given the age of your little boy (PS usually presents in newborns up until about 6 weeks of age) it is worth getting him checked out.

[Nowhere]

I would also say talk to the drs about getting an ultra sound done for pyloric stenosis it is a quick uninvasive test and realy worth doing PS doesnt always present exactly the same way in every child typicaly yes it is Projectil vomiting but in some cases it can be just lots of puke, the other thing worth talking to the drs about is the pyloris having spasms as this can aslo cause loads of vomiting just a thought it may very well be the case that he is a happy chucker but its always best to get things looked at

[LotusMum]

Ok point taken. I was just summerising what the paediatrician said to us in hospital, but of course every child is different and that means not all symptoms will be the same.
As with all feeding issues (and boy have we had 'em with both girls), it is better to get it checked out sooner rather than later and risk more complications or unnesissary pain and frustration.
As for the original question, as mentioned before, if they are happy and gaining weight and doing wet nappies, then generally it is not an issue. However do check it out if you are concerned. :thumbsup:

[Seekrit]

Cobey upchucked a few times for no good reason, normally during that 2am feed, in bed. Blergh. He was never upset doing it and sometimes it seemed like so much milk!

I'm not sure about reflux though so I can't help you there.

[bindiloo]

Usually when a baby vomits abit it is just some wind getting trapped under the milk so then when they burp the wind brings back up the milk. It often happens when they take in wind during a feed and so can just bring up a little bit or if they are windy before the feed they can bring up the whole feed.
Reflux is generally when they projectile vomite so the vomit spurts out like a fountain.
And silent reflux they tend to have the acid in the vomit continually rise to the back of the throat causing a burning sensation and a slight belch from bubs followed by lots of screaming and arching the back.It distresses them and can be harder to detect.

Sounds just like your bubs has the normal vomits most babies do but it could be a little trapped wind ,so perhaps trying to burp before and /or in between the feed that way you might get up all the wind before it gets trapped and can make him vomit and feed him upright.:)

[OM]

How is Felix going - still vomitting?