Possible Reflux??

[LMenz]

Hi

I'm having a few issues with my nearly 7 week old son. Up until now he was doing really well. Today I spoke to the MCHN who thought he may have refulx. I'm seeing my GP in a few days but just wanted your opinion too.

Jack's main issue is he can't sleep during the day for longer than half to 1 hour. After this time he wakes up squirming and is very hard to re settle. Most times I have to get him up and try something else until his next feed and then start all over again. He is exclusively breastfed and is going 3-4 hours between feeds during the day. He will feed well most of the time occasionally screaming during feeding but he does squirm around quiet a bit. He is putting on weight very well too. He's been a vomitter since birth and mostly it doesn't bother him. Somedays he is still vommiting 2 hours after a feed - it looks very chunky. He only ever vomits smallish amounts at a time.

I have the head of his cot raised and he has a dummy which he will only take half the time. I can hear him bringing up milk sometimes and he often has a screwed up face after this.

At night he will go down well and sleeps for up to 6 hours at a time.

Does it sound like reflux to you? Are there mild forms fo reflux?

Thanks

[RISA]

Hi Lauren,
Thanks for contacting our organisation. Reflux can present in lots of different ways, and yes there can be mild forms. It can range in severity from the extremely mild to extremely severe, with everything in between. It does sound like reflux is a possibility- he certainly has enough symptoms that it could be, and i am glad you are going to talk to the doctor about it.

Some refluxers do sleep quite well at night- whether its because they are exhausted from their lack of sleep during the day, or because they are refluxing less at night, is anyones guess, but that is often quite confusing to parents (they think if it's reflux then they wouldn't sleep). They are all different, and yet often have quite a lot in common. Have you been to our website at reflux.org.au to see the list of signs and symptoms? That may also clarify things for you.

Reflux isn't always easy to diagnose, and often it is done on history. I hope that you get some answers, as he does sound like he is quite uncomfortable at times.

Hope that helps

Glenda

[LMenz]

Thanks Glenda

I did have a look at your wesite and he has most of the symptoms listed. The only thing he doesn't do is cry excessively. He mostly cries when he is overtired. He is still very happy generally and smiles often.

Thanks for you input. I'll be waitng to see what his GP says.

[LMenz]

I spoke with his doctor yesterday and he thinks it could be reflux....poor little mite.

He's started Jack on 0.8ml of Zantac 8-12 hourly.

Hopefully it will bring him some relief and some sleep!

[RISA]

Hi Lauren,
Well done for getting that diagnosis, and I hope the Zantac will help him feel more comfortable. Have you noticed any difference in him yet? Sometimes it happens quickly, and other times can take a few weeks.
In case you aren't aware, it is a weight related medication, so as he puts on weight, the dose may need to be increased.

Glenda