Saturday, May 26, 2012

Monday, July 13, 2009 hogmanay79 asks

Q: Can a 14 week old baby suddenly develop reflux?

Hi there, My baby is now 14 weeks old and up until now has loved his food and until recently been taking 8oz 4 times during the day and once at night. Over the past few weeks he has occasionally been vomiting after a meal which we thought was due to gas that brought the feed up as well. He then got a runny nose which turned in to a cough and rattling chest. We went to the doctors and he was diagnosed with a chest infection and was given antibiotics, however, he has never had a fever and does not seem unhappy at all. He started refusing feeds and would then take very small amounts (2 - 3 ounces) more often throughout the day and is now on 4 ounces ever 2 hours. He seems unhappy while feeding often squirming and pushing the bottle away. He has also started chewing on his fingers or fist straight after his feed as if he is still hungry but will not take any more of his feed.

 

Having looked at the symptoms of reflux and seeing he has quite a few, I wondered whether he could 'suddenly' develop this at 3.5 months?

 

Thanks in advance,

Fiona

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Answers (1)
Jan Gambino, Health Guide
7/14/09 8:37am

Hello Fiona,

You are asking some good questions-what has the doctor said about your concerns? Sometimes an infection or antibiotics (or both) can stress the body and cause some temporary digestive problems. So it might be a matter of time before he is back to his normal feeding pattern. The antibiotics can also disrupt the gut bacteria so sometimes the doctor will recommend taking probiotics for a few weeks during or after a treatment with antibiotics.

Another idea is to take him to the doctor for a follow up check up. Make sure the infection has cleared and he doesn't have an ear or throat infection. Thrush is a mouth infection that makes drinking and swallowing very painful.

Certainly it is possible to have a late onset of reflux but I am hoping that his eating difficulties are more short term. Let us know what you find out-ok?

Jan Gambino

The Reflux Mom

www.refluxmom.com

Reply
7/17/09 8:06am

Hi there,

 

Thank for your reply - hopefully it is just the antibiotics because I really don't want another week like this one!!  Went to get the little fella weighed yesterday and brought up concerns with Health Visitor who immediately said silent reflux and got the GP to prescribe him Gaviscon infant.  Should be the last day of antibiotics today / tomorrow so will see how he is a few days after they finish and if it doesn't get any better will go back to the GP.

 

Fiona

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7/25/09 8:39am

Hi Jan,

 

Just to let you know - Harry has now finished both his antibiotics and the infant gaviscon prescribed by the doctor - he has refound his very healthy appetite and is a lot less uncomfortable and grouchy after meals so (fingers crossed) it was just the antibiotics messing with his system - many thanks for your help & advice.

 

Fiona

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By hogmanay79— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 07/13/09