Help baby in pain. 7 week old who seems to have all the classic symptoms of Reflux.

11/08/09

hayley11

Topics:baby with reflux , Infant Acid Reflux

She has spilled since day one after her feeds and if not winded properly before bed ( which can take 15 - 60 minutes to do ) will wake up within the hour in pain. She can quite often go to bed and make grunty sounds like she is suffering in some pain. Twice a day and random times she has what we call an 'attack", she pulls her knees up, arches her back and screams in pain... we do all we can... patting on the back over the shoulder, patting, rubbing on back over the knee, laying her flat on back and work her legs up to her tummy to bring on farts, poos etc.. either way we always bring up vomit, or get farts out which to me indicates "wind" stuck deep down... Please if anyone has any tips or adivce as she gets really upset so it is clearly painful for her!! ( have tried gaviscon, wedela colic powder, colimed relief and gripe water (gripe seems to have the best effect )Hayley

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Answers (2)

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Sonja P

Hi Hayley,

I am a mother of 16 mo old baby who has had reflx diagnosed since he was 12 weeks old. I have read numerous articles on reflux and the so called colic (no doctor can tell exactly what it is)...but here is a way to find out.

If your baby pulls her legs close to tummy in pain it could be colic, however, in case of severe reflux your child will literally bend backwards while arching her back (my son did it all the time while drinking his formula and also between feedings).

Another thing about reflux is it can be a short term situation which is caused by poor motility of the digestive track so food sometimes moves back into mouth instead of going down. It is also caused by back-up in the system. Reflux kids are generally constipated. If the gripewater can help her poop easily with little trouble, chances are that her reflux will resolve on it's own.

If the symptoms are causing your child to not drink enough fluids ( more than 20 oz a day), or if she is also loosing weight because of insufficient nutrition then you need to see a pediatric gastroenterologist soon. Or a good pediatrician who understands the difference between the "garden variety reflux" and "severe reflux".

Good luck.

Sonja

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Monday, November 09, 2009

Jan Gambino

Hello Hayley, So sorry your little baby is in such distress. I wonder what the doctor has recommended. I see you have tried Gaviscon so I assume you have been to the doctor. What type of diet is she on? Sometimes a trial of a special formula or a thickened formula is recommended. The thickener may slow the spit up a bit. None will fix the reflux but it may make mealtime more comfortable.

If you are nursing, eliminating dairy and soy for 1-2 weeks may be a good test to see if she is sensitive to these foods.

Keep in mind that you may have to go back and forth to the doctor quite a bit in the next few weeks to get advice, make changes and see what works and what doesn't work. Keep a log or journal to organize your observations and to write down the doctors recommendations. And be sure to let us know how you are doing. Caring for a high need baby is hard work and you need a place where you can share your worries. We are here for you!

Jan Gambino

The Reflux Mom