Reflux and MSPI Mamas

ironadxn

Hi ladies.  I've posted about Santino's tummy issues before, and I'm waiting for a call back from his GI, but while I wait I figured I'd see if anyone here can help.

DS's symptoms (EBF):

Mucus and blood in stools

Spitting up (sometimes a lot, sometimes a little, sometimes clear, sometimes milky)

Pulls away from breast and leans back during a feeding sometimes, often relieved with a burp

Feeding every 1-2 hours during the day.  I think he's a snacker as when he gets a pumped bottle he sometimes will only take an ounce and then eat an hour later.

Gassy, sometimes painful

Inconsolable at times (guessing from stomach pain)

What I've done:
Dairy free since 11/23

Soy and dairy free since 12/7

Elimination diet since Fri 12/ 21 (Eating only turkey, broccoli, zucchini, rice, potatoes, pears and apples.)

 

I have not seen ANY improvement in his behaviors or diapers since all of this food elimination.  I feel like I'm spinning my wheels here.  Oh, and he refuses the Elecare the GI prescribed for him.  So if I don't BF him (either breast or bottle), he won't eat. 

Anyone think this may be reflux and NOT an intolerance?  

hooslisa

I've got nothing to suggest. i just wanted to say you sound like a really great mom for trying everything you have and i hope your poor little one feels better and that you get some answers soon.

ironadxn

Thanks hooslisa

Kikimo, that's why I never even thought of reflux until now, but I looked up symptoms and one is blood in the stool.  

I'm grasping at straws here, I know.

NewMommyKelsey

The blood in the poo makes me think allergy as well.

When I saw a GI for Ethan that was the first thing that they checked was his poop for Blood. They said there was none so they knew it wasn't an allergy.

I give you a TON of credit. You have given up everything for lo. What you describe such as arching the back from the breast makes me think of how Ethan was. Ethan is on Zantac and as much as I fought to medicate the DR. sat me down and told me that with the amount of acid that was coming up it would eventually cause more problems if I didn't try to correct it. I tried differnet formulas, colic drops, homopathic remedies, ceral, warm milk, etc... etc... finally started Zantac and he was a different baby.

Good Luck Mommy. It's  your choice but in the end I know my little guy isn't in pain. It sucks mediciating but he's alot happier.  Btw, I am a HUGE green/ecomom and tried everything before medicating LO. Again, huge high five to you mommy. Good Luck, keep us updated. If you have any other questions, let me know.

NewMommyKelsey

Btw, he feeding alot (every few hrs) because it soothes his throat from the acid. (just a guess of mine.... Ethan was doing that at one point also)

twoitalians

I thought broccoli made babies gassy. I had stuff with broccoli and spinach in it when I was BFing and Rylan was gassy like crazy.

Mzbr

DD has both reflux and MSPI. I often have a difficult time knowing what signs and symptoms are from what problem. DD was exclusively BF for about 3 and 1/2 months. She had a lot of gas, constant fussing, occasional spitting up, refusing to nurse ( even besides the latch issues we had) all of this was still happening after elimination dieting. When I started to introduce formula she stated spitting up more became even more uncomfortable and would cry when she pooped. After positive occult fecal blood tests ( although there was no blood visible to the naked eye in her stool) she was diagnosed with MSPI. She was started on Nutramigen and although initially she hated it we have stuck with it and she eats it now with out trouble. She is on Prevacid ( zantac did nott work for us) because during the transition to formula her reflux became much worse. 

Not that my situation is the same but just wanted to tell you what I experienced and that it can be very difficult to determine what issues come from what. I will say that we did have to use a very small amount of karo syrup in her bottles for about 1 week in order to get her use to the Nutramigen. I know that its not a popular thing to do but it was that or have a baby that refused to eat! We also started with Malox for reflux in the begging and that is an over the counter medication that with the permission and dosing help from your doctor you could consider to see if that helped at all. 

ironadxn

Thanks so much all for your replies.
I'm on mobile and TOH so making this brief. Broccoli can be gassy, but very hypoallergenic, which is my main concern right now.

Yes Salty, we have talked about this. I will try the elecalre some more. I LOVE breastfeeding, especially now that I'm back at work, I feel it gives us a special bond. Beyond all the health benefits...but this eating, or not eating, is really really hard. Time consuming to cook food to bring everywhere because I can't just eat a granola bar or yogurt or something on the run. Thanks for the hug.

And mzbr, thanks so much for your story. DS has his 4 month check up tomorrow and am still waiting for the GI to call back and I will ask about both an intolerance and reflux issues.

sosoph

If you're trying to avoid formula, I think you have to give it more time. I am on week 2 of the MSPI diet, and it's frustrating waiting for the full month to see whether or not there's a difference.

JAWMIN

It can take 6+ weeks for symptoms to clear completely. It takes 2-3 weeks for dairy and soy to get out of your system, an additional 2-3 weeks to get out of the baby's system, and blood can take another week or so to heal and stop after everything is out of both of your systems.

With blood and mucus, I would guess allergy or intolerance. I would give it more time and/or eliminate some of the other top 8 common allergens.

sdlaura

Cutting out dairy and soy didn't work for us, and I didn't go as far as the elimination diet, so I'm still not sure what exactly bothered my DD, but she does great on Alimentum - even though it smells terrible to me!  Have you tried other hypoallergenic formulas?