My daughter is 11 months old and I just started her on 3 meals a day of table food with 3 bottles a day. She has had reflux since birth and is on prevacid 15 mg 2x a day. In the last week she has begun to cough almost uncontrollably until she sometimes vomits and she has developed a barking cough at night. She had croup and a cold back to back about a month ago, but she seemed to be over those illnesses until this week. She also has no other signs of croup/cold. I'm wondering if anyone else's infants have had problems with table food making their child's reflux worse or if it could be her croup/cold still hanging on.
Q: My infant's reflux seems to be worse since she started table food. Normal or something else?
Answers (1)
8/18/08 6:56am
Hello Brooke,
Some parents of infants with reflux tell me new foods (baby food, table food) cause an increase in reflux symptoms. Some babies with GERD have very sensitive stomaches and new foods may cause digestive discomfort (burping, bloating, acidity). Other babies have food intolerances or allergies. Symptoms may include the digestive discomfort as well as constipation/diarrhea, rashes and vomiting. My babies with GERD really, really had a hard time with baby food and toddler/table food. I had to go very slowly and even delay feeding past a year. It sounds like your daughter is tolerating the feedings without crying or other outward signs that she doesn't like the food. That is good.
Sometimes the food causes more secretions and that can trigger vomiting and coughing episodes. Other causes include teething and movement. I bet your little one is getting pretty mobile right now! Would there be any reason to suspect a swallowing or feeding problem from chewing solids?
Since she had a recent respiratory illness, it is always a good idea to rule out a medical cause for the symptoms. Ask the doctor to listen to her lungs and see if there is any congestion. Perhaps you could look at the diet and other factors that are increasing her symptoms. Sometimes a change in diet or medication is enough to calm the cough.
Well, I have given you a lot to think about. Let me know if I have answered your question.
Take care,
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
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By Brooke— Last Modified: 12/22/10, First Published: 08/17/08
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