Any other LOs hit a weight plateau? Plus reflux ?s

nicki731 · February 2012

Have any of your LOs hit a plateau with their weight? G has reflux issues, so I'm trying to figure out if this might just be normal, or if it's related to his reflux and I should be concerned, but he's not gaining weight. He was shooting up so fast in the beginning and got to 13.5 pounds by 2 months. Now he hasn't gained since mid-December and actually lost a half pound at his last appointment.

Also speaking of reflux issues -- I can't figure out what's going on and any input is welcome. He was diagnosed with reflux at 6 weeks (arching his back and crying during feeds, spitting up tons all day, etc.) and his symptoms started getting worse a few weeks ago, so we started a new med and they also sent us for a nuclear med milk scan yesterday. For those who don't know basically G had to drink a bottle of his formula with radioactive dye in it and then they strapped him down to a table and took pictures of his belly for 90 minutes. And guess what -- THE KID DIDN'T SPIT UP AT ALL FOR THE WHOLE 90 MINUTES. The pedi is gonna think I'm making the reflux up. But we have noticed he also doesn't spit up in the crib at night after eating as long as he is laying down and not moving because he's asleep. So I think because he was strapped down and not moving around during the test, he didn't spit up. Somehow.

So the pedi called us last night with the report from the test and said it showed "no evidence of reflux, but he does have delayed gastric emptying". They said the delayed stomach emptying may nor may not be significant. So for now we continue with the meds and we follow up with a GI specialist in March. But how can a baby who seems to have the symptoms of reflux and can't keep anything down all day NOT spit up during this test or when sleeping? I'm just feeling confused. Any ideas? Thanks for reading.

PS I think tiny hospital gowns are really cute.

kagl08 · February 2012

My son sounds the same! He's always had problems gaining weight. He has reflux. Was on Prilosec but that didn't help. He's been on Zantac since 6 weeks old. He's in Nexium once a day now and Zantac 3xs a day. He still spits up a ton!

He was hospitalized in December for a 24hr observation and "failure to thrive." While he was there he had an Upper GI. It shows no reflux!!! WTF? He is OBVIOUSLY refluxing, you can see him refluxing. He spits up clear fluids (as well as formula). Also, the entire 24 hrs we were there he didn't spit up at all, didn't fight feedings, slept awesome and was overall so happy. It was frustrating! As soon as we got home, he went right back to fighting feedings, spitting up all the time and being in pain. Then the pedi questioned if we were evening feeding him and then threatened us with a feeding tube. It was beyond frustrating! So I kept a journal, documented everything he ate, everything he spit up, and was obnoxiously detailed. I also took videos of his feedings. Once I showed those it was "proof" in there eyes that he was in pain. Finally they took me seriously.

He's on Neocate formula for a MSPI, but mostly for the reflux too. He, like your DS, doesn't spit up at night or when he perfectly still. He will spit up right when we lay him down, but then he doesn't do it during the night. If he's laying perfectly still he's fine. If I tickle him, put him in his car seat, he's in the excersaucer, playing on the floor, doing tummy time... Anything requiring movement he spits up! If I lean forward with him on my legs looking at me and I put pressure on his belly, he spits up. I doesn't matter what I do. He lives in bibs and constantly gets his outfits changed. He always smells sour. I'm constantly changing he sheets. I do laundry 4 times a week for just my kids.

Needless to say I know how you feel!! It's beyond frustrating! I kept fighting until we found something that works. While he's still spitting up he doesn't seem to be in pain as much. He's 4.5 months old and has yet to break 11lbs. He's very small. Still in size 1 diapers, size 0-3m clothes. He's wearing all the clothes he wore at 3 weeks old. He's so tiny but he's happy, so that's all that matters right? That's what I try to tell myself anyway.

cantalopes24 · February 2012

Reflux can cause rapid weight gain so it could be why he was growing so fast in the beginning. A half pound weight loss would be a huge concern for me. I'm assuming your pedi checked for dehydration (dry mouth, skin tenting, dry skin, sunken soft spot). Is he giving you appropriate amount of wet/dirty diapers? I would try to get into the GI specialist ASAP. Lo does not reflux with every feed so it's possible your guy could have it anyway. Did they mention if the delayed emptying looked muscular? They want to put Lo on a motility medication but the side effect because she is so small is pyloric stenosis which is a muscular constriction in the stomach that can prevent it from emptying and cause forceful spit up.

cantalopes24 · February 2012

kagl08:
My son sounds the same! He's always had problems gaining weight. He has reflux. Was on Prilosec but that didn't help. He's been on Zantac since 6 weeks old. He's in Nexium once a day now and Zantac 3xs a day. He still spits up a ton!

He was hospitalized in December for a 24hr observation and "failure to thrive." While he was there he had an Upper GI. It shows no reflux!!! WTF? He is OBVIOUSLY refluxing, you can see him refluxing. He spits up clear fluids (as well as formula). Also, the entire 24 hrs we were there he didn't spit up at all, didn't fight feedings, slept awesome and was overall so happy. It was frustrating! As soon as we got home, he went right back to fighting feedings, spitting up all the time and being in pain. Then the pedi questioned if we were evening feeding him and then threatened us with a feeding tube. It was beyond frustrating! So I kept a journal, documented everything he ate, everything he spit up, and was obnoxiously detailed. I also took videos of his feedings. Once I showed those it was "proof" in there eyes that he was in pain. Finally they took me seriously.

He's on Neocate formula for a MSPI, but mostly for the reflux too. He, like your DS, doesn't spit up at night or when he perfectly still. He will spit up right when we lay him down, but then he doesn't do it during the night. If he's laying perfectly still he's fine. If I tickle him, put him in his car seat, he's in the excersaucer, playing on the floor, doing tummy time... Anything requiring movement he spits up! If I lean forward with him on my legs looking at me and I put pressure on his belly, he spits up. I doesn't matter what I do. He lives in bibs and constantly gets his outfits changed. He always smells sour. I'm constantly changing he sheets. I do laundry 4 times a week for just my kids.

Needless to say I know how you feel!! It's beyond frustrating! I kept fighting until we found something that works. While he's still spitting up he doesn't seem to be in pain as much. He's 4.5 months old and has yet to break 11lbs. He's very small. Still in size 1 diapers, size 0-3m clothes. He's wearing all the clothes he wore at 3 weeks old. He's so tiny but he's happy, so that's all that matters right? That's what I try to tell myself anyway.

OMG. I would have flipped my *** if anyone implied we don't feed Lo. Her scan showed reflux and her pedi had observed feedings so no one questioned it. I was told they do better in the hospital because there are less distractions, stricter schedule because you're not cleaning or running errands and catch them right on time or before they show extreme hunger cues like screaming, you're usually holding them more and I don't know about you but all the typical sleep rules were out the window. She laid on a bed of warmed blankets with blankets over her and stuffies, they gave her sugar water . She loved it.

nicki731 · February 2012

kagl08:
My son sounds the same! He's always had problems gaining weight. He has reflux. Was on Prilosec but that didn't help. He's been on Zantac since 6 weeks old. He's in Nexium once a day now and Zantac 3xs a day. He still spits up a ton!

He was hospitalized in December for a 24hr observation and "failure to thrive." While he was there he had an Upper GI. It shows no reflux!!! WTF? He is OBVIOUSLY refluxing, you can see him refluxing. He spits up clear fluids (as well as formula). Also, the entire 24 hrs we were there he didn't spit up at all, didn't fight feedings, slept awesome and was overall so happy. It was frustrating! As soon as we got home, he went right back to fighting feedings, spitting up all the time and being in pain. Then the pedi questioned if we were evening feeding him and then threatened us with a feeding tube. It was beyond frustrating! So I kept a journal, documented everything he ate, everything he spit up, and was obnoxiously detailed. I also took videos of his feedings. Once I showed those it was "proof" in there eyes that he was in pain. Finally they took me seriously.

He's on Neocate formula for a MSPI, but mostly for the reflux too. He, like your DS, doesn't spit up at night or when he perfectly still. He will spit up right when we lay him down, but then he doesn't do it during the night. If he's laying perfectly still he's fine. If I tickle him, put him in his car seat, he's in the excersaucer, playing on the floor, doing tummy time... Anything requiring movement he spits up! If I lean forward with him on my legs looking at me and I put pressure on his belly, he spits up. I doesn't matter what I do. He lives in bibs and constantly gets his outfits changed. He always smells sour. I'm constantly changing he sheets. I do laundry 4 times a week for just my kids.

Needless to say I know how you feel!! It's beyond frustrating! I kept fighting until we found something that works. While he's still spitting up he doesn't seem to be in pain as much. He's 4.5 months old and has yet to break 11lbs. He's very small. Still in size 1 diapers, size 0-3m clothes. He's wearing all the clothes he wore at 3 weeks old. He's so tiny but he's happy, so that's all that matters right? That's what I try to tell myself anyway.

Thank you so much for this response, I was hoping it wasn't just us so I appreciate it. Glad your son is doing better and sounds like you're doing your absolute best. G is doing better with some symptoms on the meds -- he doesn't seem uncomfortable anymore, now I'm just worried about the fact that he isn't keeping anything down and isn't gaining weight. I can't believe how frustrated you must have been with that hospital stay! Like you said anytime he's awake and moving at all, he's spitting up. G is ALWAYS wearing a bib and we ALWAYS have a blanket sized burp cloth with us because it never stops. I understand the laundry that goes along with all the outfit changes! G is a happy boy too and he still looks chubby for his height I guess... but I hope both our little guys can feel better and start gaining soon!!

nicki731 · February 2012

cantalopes24:
Reflux can cause rapid weight gain so it could be why he was growing so fast in the beginning. A half pound weight loss would be a huge concern for me. I'm assuming your pedi checked for dehydration (dry mouth, skin tenting, dry skin, sunken soft spot). Is he giving you appropriate amount of wet/dirty diapers? I would try to get into the GI specialist ASAP. Lo does not reflux with every feed so it's possible your guy could have it anyway. Did they mention if the delayed emptying looked muscular? They want to put Lo on a motility medication but the side effect because she is so small is pyloric stenosis which is a muscular constriction in the stomach that can prevent it from emptying and cause forceful spit up.

I didn't know that about rapid weight gain, so thanks Lopes. I am concerned about the weight loss but I didn't know if I was being a crazy FTM or if it was a big deal. The pedi doesn't seem overly concerned. Also with my insurance there's only one pediatric GI I can go to (I have insurance through the hospital where I work so I can only go to docs in our hospital network) and earliest he had was March 7th when I scheduled 2 weeks ago. Nobody has mentioned dehydration but he seems fine and still has enough wet diapers. And they didn't say anything else about the delayed emptying -- just that it may or may not be significant. No mention of any muscular issues...

Just out of curiosity what is a motility medication? Thanks so much for your input too, I will ask some more questions and see if we can try to get in with the GI doc any sooner...

kagl08 · February 2012

cantalopes24:

OMG. I would have flipped my *** if anyone implied we don't feed Lo. Her scan showed reflux and her pedi had observed feedings so no one questioned it. I was told they do better in the hospital because there are less distractions, stricter schedule because you're not cleaning or running errands and catch them right on time or before they show extreme hunger cues like screaming, you're usually holding them more and I don't know about you but all the typical sleep rules were out the window. She laid on a bed of warmed blankets with blankets over her and stuffies, they gave her sugar water . She loved it.

Honestly it was the most infuriating and frustrating thing we ever heard!! The GI dr even told us that he did everything he could (all he did was put him on Zantac) and told us that it "must he neurological." It's clearly NOT his brain! Plus he was in the NICU and got ultrasounds and test done on his brain and it was fine. He's hit all his milestones and is just the happiest and most alert baby ever! It was just his way of saying "I don't want to take the time to figure out what is wrong." I fought and fought. The videos helped and once my pedi saw them she took me seriously and demanded answers from the GI. The reason they questioned my feeding him is because he was only taking 4 4oz bottles a day. It was a fight to get this in him thought. They told us we had a week to prove weight gain or else we would get a feeding tube. I essentially force-fed my son but he gained 6oz!! So no feeding tube then. The GI still doesn't take me seriously but it's a small town and there aren't many options.

nicki731:

Thank you so much for this response, I was hoping it wasn't just us so I appreciate it. Glad your son is doing better and sounds like you're doing your absolute best. G is doing better with some symptoms on the meds -- he doesn't seem uncomfortable anymore, now I'm just worried about the fact that he isn't keeping anything down and isn't gaining weight. I can't believe how frustrated you must have been with that hospital stay! Like you said anytime he's awake and moving at all, he's spitting up. G is ALWAYS wearing a bib and we ALWAYS have a blanket sized burp cloth with us because it never stops. I understand the laundry that goes along with all the outfit changes! G is a happy boy too and he still looks chubby for his height I guess... but I hope both our little guys can feel better and start gaining soon!!

It's so odd... They sound so much a like!! We use receiving blankets as burp cloths. When people hold him and I warn them he spits up A TON they don't believe me... Until he pukes all over them. He looks like a 2-3 month old but is very alert and developmentally at 4 months so people always question his age. He very tall so he's just a skinny chicken, has no butt and a big head! LOL! It's so funny G is a happy boy like Luke! He so happy! People always say "he always is so happy, he doesn't seem sick." Like they are accusing me of lying because he isn't screaming all the time? Luke is definitely doing better but he's still in pain sometimes and still isn't really gaining weight. Everytime he gets switched to a new med he always does awesome for a few days then it's right back to normal.

I really hope G starts getting better and gains some weight! It's never fun seeing them in pain. Sad

kagl08 · February 2012

nicki731:
cantalopes24:
Reflux can cause rapid weight gain so it could be why he was growing so fast in the beginning. A half pound weight loss would be a huge concern for me. I'm assuming your pedi checked for dehydration (dry mouth, skin tenting, dry skin, sunken soft spot). Is he giving you appropriate amount of wet/dirty diapers? I would try to get into the GI specialist ASAP. Lo does not reflux with every feed so it's possible your guy could have it anyway. Did they mention if the delayed emptying looked muscular? They want to put Lo on a motility medication but the side effect because she is so small is pyloric stenosis which is a muscular constriction in the stomach that can prevent it from emptying and cause forceful spit up.
I didn't know that about rapid weight gain, so thanks Lopes. I am concerned about the weight loss but I didn't know if I was being a crazy FTM or if it was a big deal. The pedi doesn't seem overly concerned. Also with my insurance there's only one pediatric GI I can go to (I have insurance through the hospital where I work so I can only go to docs in our hospital network) and earliest he had was March 7th when I scheduled 2 weeks ago. Nobody has mentioned dehydration but he seems fine and still has enough wet diapers. And they didn't say anything else about the delayed emptying -- just that it may or may not be significant. No mention of any muscular issues...
Just out of curiosity what is a motility medication? Thanks so much for your input too, I will ask some more questions and see if we can try to get in with the GI doc any sooner...

I would DEMAND an earlier appt! That's ridiculous! 1/2 a lb is very significant! DS was staying the same in weight for weeks then he lost 5ozs. That day he was hospitalized for 24hrs. Also with all his issues the nurse at the pedi was able to get him a next-day appt with the GI dr, who is one of the busiest pediatric GI drs on this region. I would demand something else... Good luck! I know how frustrating it is!

kagl08 · February 2012

Oh, and here's Luke at the hospital when he was there for the observation. He's just so adorable in that big huge crib!

He can't wear those hospital gowns because he's allergic to them. He can't wear anything unless it's cleaned in All Free & Clear... Sad

nicki731 · February 2012

kagl08:
Oh, and here's Luke at the hospital when he was there for the observation. He's just so adorable in that big huge crib!
He can't wear those hospital gowns because he's allergic to them. He can't wear anything unless it's cleaned in All Free & Clear...

Oh how adorable he is! Poor little guy. I know G has a couple pounds on Luke but I kind of can't believe Luke was hospitalized for losing 5 ounces and our pedi doesn't seem concerned... Hmmmm... Its hard enough to deal with these issues but its so much harder when you have to fight for someone to do something to help your kid. Like I said before thanks so much for sharing with me and keep me updated on Luke's progress! Hope he feels better soon too! And same goes for you Lopes!!

cantalopes24 · February 2012

nicki731:
cantalopes24:
Reflux can cause rapid weight gain so it could be why he was growing so fast in the beginning. A half pound weight loss would be a huge concern for me. I'm assuming your pedi checked for dehydration (dry mouth, skin tenting, dry skin, sunken soft spot). Is he giving you appropriate amount of wet/dirty diapers? I would try to get into the GI specialist ASAP. Lo does not reflux with every feed so it's possible your guy could have it anyway. Did they mention if the delayed emptying looked muscular? They want to put Lo on a motility medication but the side effect because she is so small is pyloric stenosis which is a muscular constriction in the stomach that can prevent it from emptying and cause forceful spit up.
I didn't know that about rapid weight gain, so thanks Lopes. I am concerned about the weight loss but I didn't know if I was being a crazy FTM or if it was a big deal. The pedi doesn't seem overly concerned. Also with my insurance there's only one pediatric GI I can go to (I have insurance through the hospital where I work so I can only go to docs in our hospital network) and earliest he had was March 7th when I scheduled 2 weeks ago. Nobody has mentioned dehydration but he seems fine and still has enough wet diapers. And they didn't say anything else about the delayed emptying -- just that it may or may not be significant. No mention of any muscular issues...
Just out of curiosity what is a motility medication? Thanks so much for your input too, I will ask some more questions and see if we can try to get in with the GI doc any sooner...

Motility medication speeds up the emptying of the stomach. She doesn't have issues with that but her GERD is so bad that's the only possible way to really stop it. I would watch for dehydration and buy a baby scale and weigh him every couple days. If he loses any more weight I'd take him to the ER. Lo nurses better than she takes a bottle but we mostly have to feed her 34 calorie fortified breast milk. We essentially force feed her some nights just to get her to eat.

nicki731 · February 2012

cantalopes24:

Motility medication speeds up the emptying of the stomach. She doesn't have issues with that but her GERD is so bad that's the only possible way to really stop it. I would watch for dehydration and buy a baby scale and weigh him every couple days. If he loses any more weight I'd take him to the ER. Lo nurses better than she takes a bottle but we mostly have to feed her 34 calorie fortified breast milk. We essentially force feed her some nights just to get her to eat.

See I didn't even know they had meds for that, so that's good to know. Thank you so much again for the advice, I'll keep a close eye on him. G has been bottle fed since he was a few weeks old, and he doesn't have any issue taking the formula. He usually takes about 36 ounces a day, it's just that not enough of it is staying down. We're going to ask too about possibly trying another formula... Thanks again and I hope the motility med can help her somehow!

kagl08 · February 2012

nicki731:
Oh how adorable he is! Poor little guy. I know G has a couple pounds on Luke but I kind of can't believe Luke was hospitalized for losing 5 ounces and our pedi doesn't seem concerned... Hmmmm... Its hard enough to deal with these issues but its so much harder when you have to fight for someone to do something to help your kid. Like I said before thanks so much for sharing with me and keep me updated on Luke's progress! Hope he feels better soon too! And same goes for you Lopes!!

Fighting for someone to listen to me about my kid has been the hardest thing ever! I thought after everything he went trough in the NICU after he was born (collapsed lungs, chest tubes, feeding tubes and the like) that he went through all that pain and would be done! But seeing him still in pain 4.5 months later has been so hard. Keep fighting for G. Someone has to listen. I can't believe they aren't taking his weight loss seriously. It seems odd that Luke would be hospitalized and G not. I really hope they can figure something else out. That motility med that Lopes mentioned sounds like something you should bring up. I really hope G starts gaining some weight! Please keep me updated..

ETA: to say that Luke has the same issues. He eats but wasn't keeping it down. His weight loss issues stemmed from him not keeping anything down rather than not eating. He's on a fortified intake of Neocate formula to get extra calories and he also gets rice cereal in every bottle to help give more calories (as well as try to keep it down). Are you doing rice? I was really skeptical at first but it's really helped him. What kind of formula is he on?

nicki731 · February 2012

kagl08:
nicki731:
Oh how adorable he is! Poor little guy. I know G has a couple pounds on Luke but I kind of can't believe Luke was hospitalized for losing 5 ounces and our pedi doesn't seem concerned... Hmmmm... Its hard enough to deal with these issues but its so much harder when you have to fight for someone to do something to help your kid. Like I said before thanks so much for sharing with me and keep me updated on Luke's progress! Hope he feels better soon too! And same goes for you Lopes!!
Fighting for someone to listen to me about my kid has been the hardest thing ever! I thought after everything he went trough in the NICU after he was born (collapsed lungs, chest tubes, feeding tubes and the like) that he went through all that pain and would be done! But seeing him still in pain 4.5 months later has been so hard. Keep fighting for G. Someone has to listen. I can't believe they aren't taking his weight loss seriously. It seems odd that Luke would be hospitalized and G not. I really hope they can figure something else out. That motility med that Lopes mentioned sounds like something you should bring up. I really hope G starts gaining some weight! Please keep me updated..

ETA: to say that Luke has the same issues. He eats but wasn't keeping it down. His weight loss issues stemmed from him not keeping anything down rather than not eating. He's on a fortified intake of Neocate formula to get extra calories and he also gets rice cereal in every bottle to help give more calories (as well as try to keep it down). Are you doing rice? I was really skeptical at first but it's really helped him. What kind of formula is he on?

I didn't realize how much Luke went through in the NICU! I actually work in a NICU and always feel so bad for the mamas whose babes have so many issues...

We have been doing rice since he was diagnosed at 6 weeks. We do 4 tsps per 6 ounce bottle per pedi. He is on Similac Sensitive at this point but I'm always wondering if we need to try another formula... More questions for the pedi or GI doc I suppose, even though they're somehow not concerned about his weight yet... And I will bring up the motility meds as well, just to see. Thank you again kagl08.

nicki731 · February 2012

RachaelA:

Nicki, I'm so sorry G has to go through all of this!

We have Em's UGI series on Friday and my luck it won't show anything like your DS's even though Em did scream and throw up at our actual GI appt and the doctor saw it. We've had lack of weight gain issues and we are fortifying her formula like Lopes does (an extra scoop per 5 oz so 24 cal/oz) Add that this her milk/soy protein allergy and I feel terrible. Our GI doc did comment as well and say that maybe we just have a needy child Like that was a good explanation for everything.

I feel terrible for all our kids that have to go through this

GL with your UGI on Friday! And I would have wanted to punch your GI doc haha. It does suck for these babies going though all this... best of luck to you too.

Want a personalized experience?

Any other LOs hit a weight plateau? Plus reflux ?s

Re: Any other LOs hit a weight plateau? Plus reflux ?s

Choose Another Board

Search Boards