Does this sound like reflux? (long)

laurenhankey

Some background info:  My LO was diagnosed w/ reflux at 10 days and was put on Zantac.  Over the last 6 months we have increased it as she has gained more weight.  At her 6 month checkup she weighed 16lb 10 oz and was on 1.2 ml zantac 2 times a day.  She eats solids 2 times a day (veggies, fruit, rice, oatmeal) and gets rice in her bottle due to the reflux (has been doing this since 3 months) since she is a crazy spitter-upper.  3 nights ago I put her down as usual and she was in her crib about an hr and I heard her cooing.  I went in her room, her head was up so I felt her sheet (since she sometimes spits up in her crib) and it was wet.  I then went to turn the light on and her crib was covered and I mean COVERED in puke...not spit up but puke.  It was even on the carpet so I believe that it was projectile.  I bathed her, got her all cleaned up and took her to the livingroom.  She wasn't crying but happy and smiling.  I made a few oz for her and tried to give them too her but as soon as the nipple hit her mouth she threw up again...A LOT!  Yesterday she ate "normally" but would leave about 1 oz left in each of her bottle. She's usually very excited to eat and gulps her food down. She took her sweet time like she wasn't very interested in eating.  Last night, she was hard to get down and it seemed like her belly was upset again.  Today, the same thing.  Not very interested in food but ate.  It took her 1/2 hr to eat her bottle before bed.  I called the pedi this am and they increased her Zantac to 1.5 ml  2 times a day which she was given both times today. Right now, she is wide awake and hasn't fallen asleep yet.  She only got carrots and bananas today along w/ rice and oatmeal.  I was giving her prunes but I think they upset her belly the few nights before.  Does this sound like her belly is upset?  She's not being fussy but just isn't falling asleep.  I'll see her cough like she did before w/ the reflux or belch and something come up and she'll make a "yuck" face.  I just can't think what else it would be.  The first time we gave her bananas she was up til 1130 but my pedi so it probably wasn't the bananas but the ear infection she had that kept her up.  I was thinking the bananas may be bothering her too? Any advice would be helpful! THanks!

sweetMay119

It sounds like it could possibly be reflux. Could it be a stomach bug? Zantac just neutralizes the acid and doesn't eliminate it, so I was always told that as long as they were a happy spitter upper, then it was doing its job.  My lo was on Zantac from 5 weeks until 6 months when she had a severe reflux episode that ended us up in the ER bc of vomiting (once), nonstop screaming and difficulty breathing. From what I understand, they build up a tolerance to Zantac, and most babies with severe reflux end up on another med. We did Prevacid, Prilosec and are now happy on Pepcid. 

Also, we were told by our ped not to introduce carrots at all to our baby with bad silent reflex, as they are notorious for making reflux worse. Peaches also seem to make it worse for her. I hope you find some answers soon!

laurenhankey

sweetMay119:

It sounds like it could possibly be reflux. Could it be a stomach bug? Zantac just neutralizes the acid and doesn't eliminate it, so I was always told that as long as they were a happy spitter upper, then it was doing its job.  My lo was on Zantac from 5 weeks until 6 months when she had a severe reflux episode that ended us up in the ER bc of vomiting (once), nonstop screaming and difficulty breathing. From what I understand, they build up a tolerance to Zantac, and most babies with severe reflux end up on another med. We did Prevacid, Prilosec and are now happy on Pepcid. 

Also, we were told by our ped not to introduce carrots at all to our baby with bad silent reflex, as they are notorious for making reflux worse. Peaches also seem to make it worse for her. I hope you find some answers soon!

Wow, I never would have thought carrots would bother her!  The prunes seem to be the main culprit.  She's been eating them for weeks but is just now having problems.  She didn't have any prunes today and went down relatively easy tonight.  COuld also be the increase in meds, too.  Thanks for the tips!

DanielleJoe09

Have you asked your pedi to change meds?   My DS started out on Zantac and it didn't help him at all. His medication was changed to Prevacid, which basically stops acid production. He has been a totally different baby. It seems like your son is on such a small dose. My DS takes 5ml before his morning bottle, and another 2.5 mls before his evening bottle.  We haven't had any issues introducing any solids......What formula is he on?  Similac Alimentum has also been a life saver for us!!!!            Also ask your pedi about the over the counter medication called Gaviscon. You can give it to infants every 4 hours and its great as well.   HTH!!

Suzanne68

I second the Prevacid it was a lifesaver for us. We started on Zantac and after some adjustments it just did not work out. There is a weird stomach bug that was going around here a month or so ago. Puke then stop then few days later sick again. But if you think it's reflux I would ask Dr bout Prevacid. Also you can try a crib wedge that goes under the sheet on top or the mattress to elevate the head. I got one on amazon for like $20. But my DD moves so much at night it did not work out for us. I know the reflux can act up at night from lying down and the saliva going back. We were on 15 mg once a day of the Prevacid. For some it causes insomnia but not for us. But we gave in morning just in case. Best of luck.

laurenhankey

Thanks for the tips ladies! We do elevate her bed and have from day 1 so that really helps a lot.  Today is her 2nd day on the increased dose and it seems better already.  Our daycare provider said she was just so excited to eat today which she wasn't like for the past 2 days.  She goes to the pedi again in a few weeks for a follow up appt so if there are still some issues I'll bring it up then if it doesn't continue to improve. Thanks again!