Infant Gerd and sleep
My five month old has GERD and is a terrible sleeper. He was sleeping 3 and 4 hour stretches until a month ago when he woke up screaming. Since then he will only sleep for an hour in his crib and wakes up crying. I took him to my family doctor who told me it was behavioural and to let him cry it out. Big mistake! I was desperate so my husband and I tried letting him cry for intervals and then checking on him/soothing him. He would get so worked up he couldn't calm down. Now his sleep is worse! Any suggestions on how to help him sleep better?
Hello Bean's Mom,
Unfortunately, reflux and sleep just don't mix. I guess that you already know that. Adults with reflux tell us that burning heartburn can wake them up from a deep sleep. Often medication will help reduce the symptoms and improve sleep. Is your little one on medication right now?
It may be important to reduce or eliminate night feeding since a full stomach while reclined for sleep may increase reflux.
I must say that crying it out never worked for my daughter either. She would just cry until she vomited and then I had to change her pajamas and the sheets too. Not fun in the middle of the night.
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
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Jan Gambino
Sunday, November 08, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Hello! I am glad you have an appointment with the doctor. Sometimes reflux causes sleep issues and sometimes it is something else like teething or a throat infection. Best to check out everything before deciding that the sleep issues are all about reflux. Certainly he might need an updated reflux treatment plan too.
Teaching my daughter to sleep was a combination of the right dose of medication and teaching her...gradually decreasing the night feedings, eventually going to water only (oh that was not at all popular!) and always reminding her to use a transitional object (blankie, bear) so that I was not the only transitional object. I was so glad that I could nurture her and make her feel better. But I was also grateful when she finally learned to sleep at night. You will get there too-I know you will!
The doctor is right-most babies out grow their reflux in the first year or two. It is more likely to hear the problems and concerns than the many, many success stories!
Let us know what you find out from the doctors appointment.
Jan
Hi Jan,
Thanks so much for your response. My little guy is on medication, but the dose hasn't been changed since he was one month (and he is considerably bigger now!). I have an appointment with his pediatrician next week so hopefully there is something that can be done with his medication to help him feel more comfortable. I'll try to reduce his night feedings and see if that helps (he's a bit of a big eater which doesn't help his reflux at all). How old was your daughter when she outgrew her reflux? The pediatrician tells me that most babies outgrow it by one year, but looking at other people's posts it seems like many kids continue to have this issue for a lot longer.
Thanks!