Tons of questions about reflux

ktpaladino · June 2012

There is so much conflicting information on the internet when I look up relflux. Can some of you veteran mommies help answer some of my questions?

1. Is reflux just the medical term for baby spit up? Or does it imply something more serious, like an actual medical problem? If so, what is "normal" amounts of spit up and what classifies when it escalates to reflux?

2. Sleeping on an incline has helped my LO keep his milk down better. He's 8 weeks and still sleeping in his RNP at night. We purchased a crib wedge for when he transitions over but it doesn't really fit under the mattress pad and sheet I have. Are there different sized pads and sheets that will accommodate the incline wedge better? Any other sleep positioning aids to check out?

3. How long do reflux problems usually last? Is it for as long as they are BFing/drinking milk from a bottle? Does it get better when they start to eat solid foods?

4. Has anyone ever used gripe water? Does this only help with gas and hiccups or does it help reflux too? I almost bought the "Little Tummies" brand in the store the other day and then I noticed that it had Parabens in the ingredients so I didn't get it. Are there any other homeopathic remedies or tips to help reflux?

5. If a breast fed baby is spitting up immediately or shortly after eating, does that mean that he is likely being overfed?

That is all I can think of for now! Thanks for your help

jennyann28 · June 2012

I'm curious about a lot of this as well, so I'm interested to see the responses. We do use gripe water occasionally. We have the Mommy's Bliss brand, it does not contain parabens. It works pretty well for DD. It stops hiccups pretty much instantly, and seems to help her when she's really fussy after a feeding.

Pdxmom73 · June 2012

I can only speak to the gripe water. It helps DD alot. It keeps the hiccups away and keeps more of her food down. I also use the Mommy's Bliss because I read it works better. I didn't know about parabens.

xnbride · June 2012

1. Is reflux just the medical term for baby spit up? Or does it imply something more serious, like an actual medical problem? If so, what is "normal" amounts of spit up and what classifies when it escalates to reflux?

Reflux babies don't always spit up. All my boys have had reflux and only one spit up alot. Sometimes it comes through their nose and causes nasal congestion. The main sign of reflux is fussiness and arching their backs in pain.

2. Sleeping on an incline has helped my LO keep his milk down better. He's 8 weeks and still sleeping in his RNP at night. We purchased a crib wedge for when he transitions over but it doesn't really fit under the mattress pad and sheet I have. Are there different sized pads and sheets that will accommodate the incline wedge better? Any other sleep positioning aids to check out?

Not sure about the wedge. We just incline the mattress from underneath the mattress using a towel or you could put the wedge under it. You can also tilt the entire crib from the legs of the crib. With his bassinette I have the bottom legs propped up on a plastic bin to create an incline.

3. How long do reflux problems usually last? Is it for as long as they are BFing/drinking milk from a bottle? Does it get better when they start to eat solid foods?

Gosh, I can't remember. Probably by about 4 months it starts to improve.

4. Has anyone ever used gripe water? Does this only help with gas and hiccups or does it help reflux too? I almost bought the "Little Tummies" brand in the store the other day and then I noticed that it had Parabens in the ingredients so I didn't get it. Are there any other homeopathic remedies or tips to help reflux?

Yes, I use both. I use Reflux meds and gripe water. That seems like the perfect combo for this baby. I would try different types and see what works for your LO.

5. If a breast fed baby is spitting up immediately or shortly after eating, does that mean that he is likely being overfed?

No, I didn't think you could overfeed a bfing baby. Sometimes it appears like a lot but really isn't that much. Also sometimes they nurse because they want to suckle and then spit the milk out. Alexander gets angry when I try to nurse him when all he really wants in the pacifier. He will drink for a bit, get really angry, pull back on my nipple and scream. So that is my que to just give him the paci and it usually calms him down.

livinreality · June 2012

Just read a book "Colic Solved"

https://www.amazon.com/Colic-Solved-Essential-Infant-Difficult/dp/0345490681

and it answered all of these questions.

1. All babies have reflux to some extent, the concern is if it causing problems (growth, fussiness or respiratory) . Different babies spit up different amounts, I would look for an increase/ decrease in your baby. LO is on reflux meds and still spits up but it is less painful than before.

2. We have a tucker wedge but LO won't sleep in it.... I would just put some phone books under the head of the crib, this way you can adjust the angle to your LO.

3. Reflux peaks at 4-6 months and according to liturature decreases by 12 months, but DS1 still has minor problems with it at 2.5 yrs. Solids can help or make it worse.

4. gripe water never helped either DS1 or DS2.

5. If a breast fed baby is spitting up immediately or shortly after eating, does that mean that he is likely being overfed? This just means the tummy is emptying slowly.

Tootermi · June 2012

ktpaladino:
There is so much conflicting information on the internet when I look up relflux. Can some of you veteran mommies help answer some of my questions?

1. Babies can spit up without having reflux, and babies can have reflux without spitting up. It's kind of confusing, LOL. Basically if the baby is uncomfortable after eating, gulps/gasps while eating, baby hiccups and then looks like they are chewing on something, arches their back while crying and doesn't sleep well they could have reflux. It's definitely more than just spitting up.

2. We have the AR pillow and it was a miracle solution for my older DD. We will be putting DD2 on it when we transition her to the crib later this month. It was expensive but worth.every.penny.

3. DD1 had a lot of problems until we had her on meds and started putting rice cereal in her bottles. Then solids did help for us. We did keep her on the the meds until she was walking per the pediatrician and I think it was good for her.

4. I've never used gripe water.

5. I don't think it's very common to over feed a breast fed baby. Perhaps the position you're feeding in could be a problem with the reflux or not burping often enough.

Hope that helps!

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Tons of questions about reflux

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