I don't think this is reflux but then what is it?

[Stefanie]

I posted in bottlefeeding but I'm still at a loss...................

I have successfully breastfed my two older boys and am now doing the same with my 9 week old.

I gave my second son a bottle of formula each night at 10pm to get him used to the bottle when it came to weaning from the breast, as I had terrible problems with this with my first son. He simply wouldn't take a teat! I tried everything from Dr. Brown's to Haberman........eventually he simply took an Avent!

Anyway, my 9 week old drinks the formula with no problem, but an hour to 3 hours later he projectile vomits it, completely undigested. I have tried Bellamy's Organic, S26 Gold and Karicare Gold, all with the same result.

I have read your site and don't think he displays any of ther other signs of reflex, but I thought perhaps you might have an idea of what might be wrong and whether I should take him to the Doctor?

Many thanks for your time

[RISA]

Hi,
Thanks for contacting our organisation (and congratulations on the birth of your bub).

I would definitely recommend that you see a doctor about your concerns- your instincts are telling you that something isn't quite right, and that is enough to have things checked out. A mother's instincts are almost always right, and even if it turns out to be nothing to worry about, you will then have peace of mind, which is also important.

You are right to suspect that there may be something else going on, even though he is vomiting, because not all vomiting is necessarily reflux. There can be a lot of other things it could be, and please let your instincts guide you.

Perhaps he has really slow digestion / delayed stomach emptying, and that is why you are seeing the vomiting like that? Alternatively, could the sphincter at the bottom of his stomach be too tight to allow the feed to pass through freely? Does he vomit after every feed, or just occasionally? Is he putting on weight? Do you think he is actually retaining any of his feed, or is it all coming up?

Does he feed well, despite the vomiting? what about his sleeping, and temperament? Are they all okay? I do hope you get some answers to what is going on, and I would be really interested to know what the doctor says too.

Hope that helps

Glenda

[Stefanie]

Thanks Glenda,
I really appreciate your time and reply.
He's a very chilled little lad. Sleeps well and loves his food. Rarely even possets breast milk. He was 37 weeks at birth and weighed 7lbs 14oz so a good size. He's now nearly 14 lbs at 9 weeks.
He had some SEVERE wind for the first couple of weeks, which would take over an hour to shift for him. Come to think of it he's still very windy (never heard anything like it in one so small!) but it doesn't cause him any discomfort.
I'll take your advice and see the Doctor.
Kind regards and best wishes.