Advice wanted on Reflux

[BridgetA]

Hi,

My son is 3.5 months old. He's a "Happy Chucker". He spews all the time (NOT projectile), but lately it seems to be getting worse.

I took him to a GP, who got him on Karicare AR formula. (Along with the raised cot, elevated head when feeding, avoid laying flat, not changing his nappy for at least 1/2 hour after feed, avoid carseat for 1/2 hour after feed, etc, etc). The formula seemed to help for a while, but over the past few days, he's been spewing up heaps.

Is there anything else I can do? I go through up to 10 bibs a day and 5-6 spew rags.

Thanks in Advance
Bridget

[RISA]

Hi Bridget,
Thanks for contacting our organisation. It sounds like you are doing a great job with your son and his reflux, and I do understand how tough it is with all his vomiting.

The fact that he doesn't seem to be in pain is fantastic and therefore the doctor isn't likely to prescribe any medications for him (unless weight gain is also an issue). While you do sound like you're on the right track, it may help if you try to keep him upright for as much as the day as possible; change his nappy BEFORE a feed, rather than after; same with the car seat and floor time; try to make sure he doesn't slump when being held upright, and that there isn't a lot of pressure on his tummy; ensure no tight nappies or elastic waistbands; no rough handling or jiggling.

Is he constipated since starting the AR formula? Sometimes that can be a problem, and constipation can flare reflux (cos of the pressure on the tummy), so if that may be a factor, it may be worth working on- check with your doctor.

It may also help to know some of the things that can make your life a bit easier with the vomiting-
- put covers down on furniture
- keep him on washable floors
- put towels/sheets down on the floor beside his bed to catch any overflow vomit
- make up his bed with several layers of linen (waterproof backing between them)- if you need to change them, just take off one layer and the bed is already made
- some parents get quite adept at catching any vomit in a bucket/container- saves on washing up
- wear clothes and dress bub in clothes that you dont mind getting vomit on; clothes that are easily washed
- change bub just before going on an outing to save the 'good' outfit
- feed him outside on the grass or in a washable area to make cleaning up much easier

Do you think the thickened formula is helping? Is it the right thickness for him? Sometimes bubs do better on either thicker or thinner formula, so if you think that may be worth considering, a change to a formula that you thicken yourself might help? It's just an idea to give you a different perspective, so please don't consider it if you are happy with the formula he's on now.

Sometimes it helps to accept that you will be vomited on and you will have to clean up vomit, so you can accept it for as long as it is a problem.

If he appears to be in pain, or gets really uncomfortable with his vomiting, or starts to have problems with his weight, different treatments may need to be considered too.

I know that most people will say it's just a laundry problem, but they don't understand just how much extra work that entails. It can be really difficult to deal with, especially on the days where reflux is worse. If there ever is a time you are concerned about him, or you think his vomiting has increased or is more severe, it is really important to talk to your doctor, and to trust your instincts.

I hope that helps,

Glenda