Does this sound like reflux? Help!

cindy453 · September 2009

I'm waiting on the pedi on call nurse to get back from lunch, but I wanted to ask here for experience..

Emmy is 3 weeks old today. For background, I had HORRIBLE reflux when I was a baby- they almost did surgery.

The last few days Emmy has had crying fits where she is just soooo uncomfortable. She turns red, arches her back, the whole bit. The only thing that calms her down is eating... and she will eat INSANE amounts in one sitting if we let her. Then, she spits up everything she just ate and cries. Yesterday from 4-8 pm she was awake and fussy, and drank 3 oz of breast milk, 3oz of formula, and nursed for over an hour. We finally quit feeding her (probably should have done that sooner!) and just patted her back and walked with her while she cried (and I cried, too...)

We give her mylicon, it doesn't seem to help. Also, it's interesting that she has these big fussy fits during the day... she gets only breast milk during the day and formula at night. I don't *think* it's the bottles, because she gets bottles both day and night. At night, she sleeps really well

I don't eat spicy foods, and I generally don't drink milk.

lemen99 · September 2009

It definitely sounds like reflux. When his reflux wasn't treated, our son would barely eat- but I've heard that some babies react by overeating.

heatherlane · September 2009

Now I'm worried b/c Jacob is having some similar fits. Sometimes he arches and squirms while nursing.

g8orell · September 2009

Sounds like reflux! DD would keep eating too...it soothes their irritated throat, but then makes the reflux worse since their little tummies can't hold all of the milk...viscious cycle

MrsKatie07 · September 2009

Sounds like it to me. I cried several times with DD during her crying spells.

Agrippa · September 2009

It sounds like reflux, but it could also be part of the 3 week growth spurt. DS got refluxy and gassy during growth spurts only.

cindy453 · September 2009

Oh no Is there anything I can do to make her feel better? I hate listening to her cry. I googled newborn reflux and it said that hiccups are another sign (she gets them 2-3 times a day), as is sounding like she is wheezing after eating... she does both of those.

I hate when she spits up so much, last night it was scaring me- she would spit up so much it came out of her nose and when I got it all cleared out of her mouth she would take a BIG gasp of air, like she couldn't breath b/c of the spit up Sad

Will the pedi probably want to see us today, or will they just tell us to try a bunch of home remedy things first and report back?

MiaVonT · September 2009

sounds like Reflux ... DD did all the same things listed in your post .... NOW she's a happy baby on her meds

renee&jeff'06 · September 2009

I love the picture!

I think it sounds like reflux... I have heard that feeding smaller more frequent meals will help some. DS has reflux, but it is the silent type.

As for her only being fussy during the day, it might have something to do with what you are eating (even if it's not spicy or milk). Reflux tends to be better for us through the night as well... I think that is just common.

g8orell · September 2009

Yes, DD also hiccups a lot, has the weezing, coughing, spitting up through nose. We started her on rice cereal, which has helped so much that we decided against meds. In the meantime, hold her upright for at least 20-30 min after feedings...if you can't hold her, put her in her car seat, or kind of expensive, but we bought a nap nanny. Buy a wedge to put under her mattress or a sleep positioner with incline; small, more frequent meals, try to get her NOT to eat to soothe her throat.

cindy453 · September 2009

Silly question... I know cluster feeding is normal in breast fed babies, so how do I know if she is hungry or just fussy from (possible) reflux? She gets some bottles during the day and at night, but most of it is from the tap

Ugh, I'm really starting to wonder if it's related to the breast milk... DH just gave her 2oz of formula and she is happy as can be. If only the baby KNEW that breast milk was supposed to be good for them!

lab63007 · September 2009

We have the exact same situation - dh won't let me call the doc because he says it's normal that babies spit up, but she has almost the exact same symptoms as you, except for the crying has stopped. But she overeats at every meal. She's finally just started at least deciding she's full (before she just wanted to stay at my breast forever). I also fed her formula once & she seemed happier...but it didn't last. I wouldn't stress about your breastmilk just yet. I've found that (even though she screams bloody murder) I spend about 5-10 min burping her between breasts & it seems to help because it gives her time to feel full...and be upright. She won't sit in any seats after she eats because she gets uncomfortable so this is my best option. I have found that it's getting a little better - and I do use colic calm for the hiccups, which seems to help too - but I give her as little as possible to make them stop, not the full dose. Hope this helps - but I'm also looking forward to the docs in a few weeks to ask!

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Does this sound like reflux? Help!

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