Reflux in babies
Discussion
My son, 3 weeks old on Saturday seems to have reflux.
He feeds ok and is generally healthy but by God does he scream. Sunday was so bad we went to wak in health centre. Doc was very helpful but not been going on long enough to really say for definite.
But that was Sunday. Since then he's been like it all week.
I feel so sorry for my wife who was hoping to "enjoy" her maternity leave but it seems this won't go away until his stomach muscles mature which could be months.
This morning he was awful, he was screaming away but me walking him around quiet ended him down. Then he looked up at me, as calm and peaceful as you like. I nearly burst into tears. I can't stand that he's in so much distress over this and we can't help him. We know some things that will alleviate it, for example waking him around. But my wife is finding that carrying him for too long is aggravating a back problem.
I feel terrible just leaving to go to work now.
Sorry, not much of a post, and not sure I even have a question. Just wanted to vent a little.
He feeds ok and is generally healthy but by God does he scream. Sunday was so bad we went to wak in health centre. Doc was very helpful but not been going on long enough to really say for definite.
But that was Sunday. Since then he's been like it all week.
I feel so sorry for my wife who was hoping to "enjoy" her maternity leave but it seems this won't go away until his stomach muscles mature which could be months.
This morning he was awful, he was screaming away but me walking him around quiet ended him down. Then he looked up at me, as calm and peaceful as you like. I nearly burst into tears. I can't stand that he's in so much distress over this and we can't help him. We know some things that will alleviate it, for example waking him around. But my wife is finding that carrying him for too long is aggravating a back problem.
I feel terrible just leaving to go to work now.
Sorry, not much of a post, and not sure I even have a question. Just wanted to vent a little.
We have a 5 month girl and she has gone through stages similar to your little'un. Hang in there, it will pass! One little tip for your good lady's back issue is to consider getting a carrier of some sort (we bought a Baby Bjorn thingy) it really helps with taking the load of your back and ours falls asleep in it almost immediately.
I feel your pain, we went through reflux with our first, It was the toughthest period of my life so far!! We ended up having the in-laws move in with us for a few months to help out (If it wasn't for them I dread to think where we would be now!)
My wife suffered PND, which Im sure was a result of the reflux. All I can say is hang in there, it does get better, take ALL the help offered and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Our first is now 19 months and we have an 8 week old who is the worlds most chilled out baby ever and a breeze compared to our first
My wife suffered PND, which Im sure was a result of the reflux. All I can say is hang in there, it does get better, take ALL the help offered and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Our first is now 19 months and we have an 8 week old who is the worlds most chilled out baby ever and a breeze compared to our first
Thanks guys. Just what I needed.
We're hoping to get to John Lewis this weekend to look at slings as we'd heard they were good. I think my wife mentioned the Bjorn brand.
PND is a concern, trying to make sure my wife isn't cooped up all day every day and get her to call / text me as much as poss. No sign yet but I can see it may wear her down. Having said that yesterday was a better day and my wife looked so much better when I got home.
Our sis in law had bought us 12 hours of a cleaner (if that makes sense). First two hours yesterday and I can see that being a long term thing after the freebies run out. Not that I mind.
We're a bit short on family round here. We're in Harrow, brother in law and wife in Wandsworth other than that my family (mum + 96 yo gran) is in Nottingham and my wife's family in NI. NCT looks like a good support network though. And baby yoga starts next week.
We're hoping to get to John Lewis this weekend to look at slings as we'd heard they were good. I think my wife mentioned the Bjorn brand.
PND is a concern, trying to make sure my wife isn't cooped up all day every day and get her to call / text me as much as poss. No sign yet but I can see it may wear her down. Having said that yesterday was a better day and my wife looked so much better when I got home.
Our sis in law had bought us 12 hours of a cleaner (if that makes sense). First two hours yesterday and I can see that being a long term thing after the freebies run out. Not that I mind.
We're a bit short on family round here. We're in Harrow, brother in law and wife in Wandsworth other than that my family (mum + 96 yo gran) is in Nottingham and my wife's family in NI. NCT looks like a good support network though. And baby yoga starts next week.
Hi OP
My little girl suffered reflux she had it quite bad, my misses was struggling with breast feeding, so went to bottles.
She started suffering quite bad reflux and would want feeding every 2 hours, being a lovely girl until she wanted food, she went into meltdown! It was getting frustrating!
Drs prescribed my daughter Gaviscon. The reflux got a bit better, then got worse, they upped the Gavascon (?spelling). At the same time my daughter was wanting milk little and often and had some horrid rashes all over her and really horrid runny poos, it was grinding her and my misses down
A different dr saw my daughter and told us she should not really be on the dose of Gaviscon she is being given and there is an underlying issue. I advised how I am slightly lactose intolerant, so my daughter was prescribed dairy free infant milk. Within a few days, she completely changed the reflux eased off. After a week her reflux is minimal and her poos normal. Her rashes went away and she can go 5 or so hours without feeding and seems a lot happier
I'm not saying for one minute that dairy is the cause for reflux, just relaying how frustrating it can be! Also finding the root cause is a pita!
Edit: Is this your first child? The "groups" on facebook really help my misses with advice, even though it is our third they share advice etc. They are very mumsnet but it helps my misses by talking about things
Also PND is horrid, it can be really subtle and creep up over time engulfing your partner and your relationship before you realise
My little girl suffered reflux she had it quite bad, my misses was struggling with breast feeding, so went to bottles.
She started suffering quite bad reflux and would want feeding every 2 hours, being a lovely girl until she wanted food, she went into meltdown! It was getting frustrating!
Drs prescribed my daughter Gaviscon. The reflux got a bit better, then got worse, they upped the Gavascon (?spelling). At the same time my daughter was wanting milk little and often and had some horrid rashes all over her and really horrid runny poos, it was grinding her and my misses down
A different dr saw my daughter and told us she should not really be on the dose of Gaviscon she is being given and there is an underlying issue. I advised how I am slightly lactose intolerant, so my daughter was prescribed dairy free infant milk. Within a few days, she completely changed the reflux eased off. After a week her reflux is minimal and her poos normal. Her rashes went away and she can go 5 or so hours without feeding and seems a lot happier
I'm not saying for one minute that dairy is the cause for reflux, just relaying how frustrating it can be! Also finding the root cause is a pita!
Edit: Is this your first child? The "groups" on facebook really help my misses with advice, even though it is our third they share advice etc. They are very mumsnet but it helps my misses by talking about things
Also PND is horrid, it can be really subtle and creep up over time engulfing your partner and your relationship before you realise
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Thursday 5th March 09:45
TwistingMyMelon said:
Hi OP
My little girl suffered reflux she had it quite bad, my misses was struggling with breast feeding, so went to bottles.
She started suffering quite bad reflux and would want feeding every 2 hours, being a lovely girl until she wanted food, she went into meltdown! It was getting frustrating!
Drs prescribed my daughter Gaviscon. The reflux got a bit better, then got worse, they upped the Gavascon (?spelling). At the same time my daughter was wanting milk little and often and had some horrid rashes all over her and really horrid runny poos, it was grinding her and my misses down
A different dr saw my daughter and told us she should not really be on the dose of Gaviscon she is being given and there is an underlying issue. I advised how I am slightly lactose intolerant, so my daughter was prescribed dairy free infant milk. Within a few days, she completely changed the reflux eased off. After a week her reflux is minimal and her poos normal. Her rashes went away and she can go 5 or so hours without feeding and seems a lot happier
I'm not saying for one minute that dairy is the cause for reflux, just relaying how frustrating it can be! Also finding the root cause is a pita!
Edit: Is this your first child? The "groups" on facebook really help my misses with advice, even though it is our third they share advice etc. They are very mumsnet but it helps my misses by talking about things
Also PND is horrid, it can be really subtle and creep up over time engulfing your partner and your relationship before you realise
Reading this has just reminded me that we had exactly the same, prescribed Gaviscon, lots of tests and finally removed dairy and within a week a different child!My little girl suffered reflux she had it quite bad, my misses was struggling with breast feeding, so went to bottles.
She started suffering quite bad reflux and would want feeding every 2 hours, being a lovely girl until she wanted food, she went into meltdown! It was getting frustrating!
Drs prescribed my daughter Gaviscon. The reflux got a bit better, then got worse, they upped the Gavascon (?spelling). At the same time my daughter was wanting milk little and often and had some horrid rashes all over her and really horrid runny poos, it was grinding her and my misses down
A different dr saw my daughter and told us she should not really be on the dose of Gaviscon she is being given and there is an underlying issue. I advised how I am slightly lactose intolerant, so my daughter was prescribed dairy free infant milk. Within a few days, she completely changed the reflux eased off. After a week her reflux is minimal and her poos normal. Her rashes went away and she can go 5 or so hours without feeding and seems a lot happier
I'm not saying for one minute that dairy is the cause for reflux, just relaying how frustrating it can be! Also finding the root cause is a pita!
Edit: Is this your first child? The "groups" on facebook really help my misses with advice, even though it is our third they share advice etc. They are very mumsnet but it helps my misses by talking about things
Also PND is horrid, it can be really subtle and creep up over time engulfing your partner and your relationship before you realise
Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Thursday 5th March 09:45
Poor fella has screamed his head off just now.
My wife took him to our gp today who we only just registered with (new to area) trouble is he's.....I want to say old school but I'm actually going to say old, Indian, sexist, set in his ways and useless.
Anyway, he said, baby's just being baby.
We are registering with a new gp but it'll be Monday at the earliest before we see someone.
I think it's worse than even I thought.
My wife took him to our gp today who we only just registered with (new to area) trouble is he's.....I want to say old school but I'm actually going to say old, Indian, sexist, set in his ways and useless.
Anyway, he said, baby's just being baby.
We are registering with a new gp but it'll be Monday at the earliest before we see someone.
I think it's worse than even I thought.
My wife is an NCT teacher and feeding counsellor. Few tips she has quickly thrown my way before she falls asleep on the sofa again 
Feeding little and often could help
Keep him as upright as possible (so the sling idea is good)
If he's in a cot, you could gently tilt it so his head is more raised
She also mentioned that if you are bottle feeding, it could be related to cow's milk protein allergy rather than reflux in isolation..
Feeding little and often could help
Keep him as upright as possible (so the sling idea is good)
If he's in a cot, you could gently tilt it so his head is more raised
She also mentioned that if you are bottle feeding, it could be related to cow's milk protein allergy rather than reflux in isolation..
OP - hang on in there - reflux is extremely common in the newborn infant, as hinted to above, it is caused by poor muscle tone in the lower oesophageal sphincter and occurs when the muscle transiently relaxes. The diagnosis is a clinical one, often not requiring further investigations. Breast milk has been found to be beneficial in helping 'treat' reflux but if you're bottle feeding there are a few steps you can take to help manage it. Left untreated, it should resolve by 1 year of age. Providing there are no worrying signs such as persistent forceful vomiting or swollen abdomen, or green tinged bilious vomit, things should go ok. See below:
Essentially the best first steps for management at home are positioning following feeds, prolonged effective winding and raising the head of the cot when sleeping/putting down after feeds (not within 20 mins). Please note that a car seat does not constitute sitting upright - it is as effective as lying flat when considering reflux, upright or over a shoulder is what to think here. If he is struggling during feeds with possetting a lot, try a slower flow teat.
Second step via the GP could be a trial of gaviscon, as you have done, but this might not be effective. Below I have copied and pasted a paragraph from UP To Date - a subscription website that we use here at work to keep abreast of current evidence based treatment for various conditions:
"Infants without warning signs but with other symptoms such as poor weight gain, feeding refusal, or irritability, usually can be managed with one or more lifestyle changes, including avoidance of tobacco smoke, changes in feeding patterns, thickening of feeds, positioning therapy, and a trial of a cow’s milk-free diet. The rationale for the milk-free diet is that a substantial percentage of infants with problematic reflux have an underlying intolerance to food protein (typically cow’s milk). The trial is particularly important for (but not limited to) infants with gross or occult blood in the stool, eczema, or a strong family history of atopic disease. Other diagnoses and treatments should be explored if there is not a clear response to the diet change within a few weeks."
OP - if you or your partner have a history of atopy (asthma, eczema or hayfever/multiple food allergies) - you have indeed hinted at lactose intolerance, then this is the next step your GP should consider. He might consider referral to a local paediatrician at this stage if he isn't keen to make this jump - we see plenty of reflux cases in our early access clinics and are happy to help in these cases. Note that we say Cow's milk protein intolerance rather than lactose intolerance. True lactose allergy in infants affects approx 1 in 150,000 but rates of having a slight intolerance/affect to it are slightly highter. Cow's milk effects a much greater proportion of the population, but due to the ready availability of lactose free formula milk over the counter (vs. the prescription only hydrolysed milk used in CMPI), it is hugely over diagnosed in the community.
If you continue to struggle despite positioning, feeding little + often and feed thickeners, I would strongly consider a 2 week trial of CMP free formula such as nutramigen lipil 1 (or 2 depending on your childs age now). This would need to be prescribed.
One last point regarding positioning in sleep, as some google searches on mumsnet style forums will tell you that sleeping the child prone can help. It does, but DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME. It should only be considered in the in-patient environment with proper monitoring at this age group, due to the risk of SIDS - see below:
"We recommend that all infants, including those with reflux, be positioned supine for sleep. Although prone positioning tends to decrease reflux, it also is a significant risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Semi-supine positioning (eg, in an infant seat) is not helpful and even exacerbates reflux. Lateral positioning may or may not improve reflux, and is also associated with an increased risk for SIDS. (See "Sudden infant death syndrome: Risk factors and risk reduction strategies" and 'Positioning therapy' above.)"
Please feel free to PM me with any further questions, but the general advice posted above by everyone is very sensible and well worth a try. Stick with it, it does get easier and they do grow out of it!!
N Dentressangle said:
Ours had reflux. You can get Ranitidine or similar for babies - ask your GP or midwife. Works a treat.
No you shouldn't - there isn't any evidence for ranitidine use for reflux, especially first line, in infants. Same with Domperidone - this has now stopped being used due to risk of prolonged QTc syndrome. TwistingMyMelon said:
Drs prescribed my daughter Gaviscon. The reflux got a bit better, then got worse, they upped the Gavascon (?spelling). At the same time my daughter was wanting milk little and often and had some horrid rashes all over her and really horrid runny poos, it was grinding her and my misses down
A different dr saw my daughter and told us she should not really be on the dose of Gaviscon she is being given and there is an underlying issue. I advised how I am slightly lactose intolerant, so my daughter was prescribed dairy free infant milk. Within a few days, she completely changed the reflux eased off. After a week her reflux is minimal and her poos normal. Her rashes went away and she can go 5 or so hours without feeding and seems a lot happier
This is interesting - gaviscon is used a lot in Primary care in reflux but also has a limited evidence base. Some find it works, some that it doesn't help - much like the use of over the counter drugs such as 'gripe water' in colic. The main help is by thickening the feed, rather than suppressing the acid at this stage, so similarly, changing to a thicker style bottle formula might make a difference.A different dr saw my daughter and told us she should not really be on the dose of Gaviscon she is being given and there is an underlying issue. I advised how I am slightly lactose intolerant, so my daughter was prescribed dairy free infant milk. Within a few days, she completely changed the reflux eased off. After a week her reflux is minimal and her poos normal. Her rashes went away and she can go 5 or so hours without feeding and seems a lot happier
badgerade said:
My wife is an NCT teacher and feeding counsellor. Few tips she has quickly thrown my way before she falls asleep on the sofa again
Feeding little and often could help
Keep him as upright as possible (so the sling idea is good)
If he's in a cot, you could gently tilt it so his head is more raised
She also mentioned that if you are bottle feeding, it could be related to cow's milk protein allergy rather than reflux in isolation..
Bang on - i'll get to the Cow's Milk Protein Intolerance (CMPI) shortly...Feeding little and often could help
Keep him as upright as possible (so the sling idea is good)
If he's in a cot, you could gently tilt it so his head is more raised
She also mentioned that if you are bottle feeding, it could be related to cow's milk protein allergy rather than reflux in isolation..
Essentially the best first steps for management at home are positioning following feeds, prolonged effective winding and raising the head of the cot when sleeping/putting down after feeds (not within 20 mins). Please note that a car seat does not constitute sitting upright - it is as effective as lying flat when considering reflux, upright or over a shoulder is what to think here. If he is struggling during feeds with possetting a lot, try a slower flow teat.
Second step via the GP could be a trial of gaviscon, as you have done, but this might not be effective. Below I have copied and pasted a paragraph from UP To Date - a subscription website that we use here at work to keep abreast of current evidence based treatment for various conditions:
"Infants without warning signs but with other symptoms such as poor weight gain, feeding refusal, or irritability, usually can be managed with one or more lifestyle changes, including avoidance of tobacco smoke, changes in feeding patterns, thickening of feeds, positioning therapy, and a trial of a cow’s milk-free diet. The rationale for the milk-free diet is that a substantial percentage of infants with problematic reflux have an underlying intolerance to food protein (typically cow’s milk). The trial is particularly important for (but not limited to) infants with gross or occult blood in the stool, eczema, or a strong family history of atopic disease. Other diagnoses and treatments should be explored if there is not a clear response to the diet change within a few weeks."
OP - if you or your partner have a history of atopy (asthma, eczema or hayfever/multiple food allergies) - you have indeed hinted at lactose intolerance, then this is the next step your GP should consider. He might consider referral to a local paediatrician at this stage if he isn't keen to make this jump - we see plenty of reflux cases in our early access clinics and are happy to help in these cases. Note that we say Cow's milk protein intolerance rather than lactose intolerance. True lactose allergy in infants affects approx 1 in 150,000 but rates of having a slight intolerance/affect to it are slightly highter. Cow's milk effects a much greater proportion of the population, but due to the ready availability of lactose free formula milk over the counter (vs. the prescription only hydrolysed milk used in CMPI), it is hugely over diagnosed in the community.
If you continue to struggle despite positioning, feeding little + often and feed thickeners, I would strongly consider a 2 week trial of CMP free formula such as nutramigen lipil 1 (or 2 depending on your childs age now). This would need to be prescribed.
One last point regarding positioning in sleep, as some google searches on mumsnet style forums will tell you that sleeping the child prone can help. It does, but DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME. It should only be considered in the in-patient environment with proper monitoring at this age group, due to the risk of SIDS - see below:
"We recommend that all infants, including those with reflux, be positioned supine for sleep. Although prone positioning tends to decrease reflux, it also is a significant risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Semi-supine positioning (eg, in an infant seat) is not helpful and even exacerbates reflux. Lateral positioning may or may not improve reflux, and is also associated with an increased risk for SIDS. (See "Sudden infant death syndrome: Risk factors and risk reduction strategies" and 'Positioning therapy' above.)"
Please feel free to PM me with any further questions, but the general advice posted above by everyone is very sensible and well worth a try. Stick with it, it does get easier and they do grow out of it!!
skilly1 said:
If you are on bottle feed try changeing to comfort milk powder (we used aptimil). We did this after 2 months of hell and it made a big differene. Swaddeling also helped settle him.
We did the same, comfort milk seemed to make all the difference (note you'll need variflow teats on your bottles).In addition, a five minute burping session helped too!
We suspected reflux at first, but with both kids they needed comfort milk (first needed it for a year, the second switched to standard milks after two months).
We had the same, with twins. Awful time!! We ended up getting anti reflux milk from boots (aptamil off the shelf stuff). That, and mam bottles which had vents in the bottom, cured it totally within days. All after messing around with gaviscon etc.
from the sounds of the above excellent advice, it's about what works for your baby rather than one magic cure.
Good luck and hang in there. It gets better.
from the sounds of the above excellent advice, it's about what works for your baby rather than one magic cure.
Good luck and hang in there. It gets better.
Thanks for all the replies. Really helpful. Some great advice Hugh and lots of food for thought.
He sleeps with his head propped up slightly at the moment and tbh seems to sleep quite well, waking 2/3 times between 9pm and 7am
He's on breast mil only although sometimes from a bottle. We did try some aptamil pre-made but we suspected that could have caused / aggravated symptoms and stopped.
We also try to keep him upright especially after feeds and in the last few days he's burped better post feed. Not sure if it's infocol or positioning or both. Because of the similarity of symptoms and lack of gp for now (nextMonday earliest apparently) we're still not sure if it's colic, silent reflux or something else.
We've no history of lactose intolerance in either family but will look into allergies though.
He had his BCG jab today which may have contributed to him sleeping a lot through today. Suspect that's the reason he's been quieter rather than a sudden miracle cure unfortunately.
He sleeps with his head propped up slightly at the moment and tbh seems to sleep quite well, waking 2/3 times between 9pm and 7am
He's on breast mil only although sometimes from a bottle. We did try some aptamil pre-made but we suspected that could have caused / aggravated symptoms and stopped.
We also try to keep him upright especially after feeds and in the last few days he's burped better post feed. Not sure if it's infocol or positioning or both. Because of the similarity of symptoms and lack of gp for now (nextMonday earliest apparently) we're still not sure if it's colic, silent reflux or something else.
We've no history of lactose intolerance in either family but will look into allergies though.
He had his BCG jab today which may have contributed to him sleeping a lot through today. Suspect that's the reason he's been quieter rather than a sudden miracle cure unfortunately.
Sounds like a small step in the right direction. If breast feeding, mum can get an info sheet from a dietician regarding cows milk protein free diet that she can implement, if your current strategies aren't working (sounds like you might be about to turn a corner). Good luck and stick with it!!
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