Pedi suggests rice cereal for 10 week old

InLoveInChicago · October 2013

My 10 week old has been having signs of reflux over the last 4weeks. Significant spitting up and screaming after every feeding, waking up gagging an hour after eating, etc... She is gaining well but she is still on the small side 9 1/2 pounds. Pedi is suggesting I start pumping only and adding rice cereal to the bottles to help keep it in her tummy. Pedi is not worried about gaining just about keeping baby more comfortable. I told her I would rather feed her directly from the breast. She is still eating about every 2 hours and it's not realistic for me to pump and feed as I would literally be feeding or pumping all day long. I'm thinking I need a second opinion. I understand the pedi doesn't want to move directly to meds but pumping and adding cereal doesn't seem like a great option either. Any suggestions, maybe some other things I can try before we hit the bottle? Thanks ladies!

flummadiddle85 · October 2013

Are you feeding on demand? My pedi mentioned that most babies have reflux to some degree. It's just a matter of how severe it is. But when DS was smaller, he did show signs of silent reflux from time to time (arched back, screaming, etc). But I would just nurse him whenever he got fussy, and it seemed to help. I think it's supposed to help soothe the acidity. Keeping LO more upright after a feeding can help too. DS spent a lot of time in the Moby early on.

jschmidt6 · October 2013

Go for the meds girl! What is wrong with an antacid? That's ridiculous. Our little dude started on Zantac at 4 weeks and it didn't work so they switched him to Prevacid and he is doing great. The doctor warned us against adding solids to his pumped milk because he said it's a choking hazard. Also, because when they cough food particles can aspirate into their lungs and cause pneumonia. He also said studies have shown that it doesn't actually improve the acid reflux anyway. I think you should definitely get a second opinion. With a baby who's underweight you want them to get the most nutrients possible, not rice filler.

In addition to medicine we tried to burp him really really well, because the gas and added air in there can have a huge impact on the reflux.

Good luck!

TJ1979 · October 2013

Second opinion for sure! My LO was on zantac for a few months until she grew out of the reflux. I might also recommend keeping a food diary for yourself, and see if you notice any foods causing LO to have more issues. LO had a dairy intolerance - mild so no mucousy green poops, but enough to cause reflux and general fussiness (read crying all day every day.) Cutting out dairy made a huge difference in our lives.
Also, keeping LO upright after eating helps a lot with reflux.

lann1068 · October 2013

Doesn't a breastfed baby swallow less air when feeding from the breast than from a bottle? That doesn't make any sense and seems like some old school advice. I would refrain from introducing any solids for a long time- their guts aren't mature at this point which can lead to more problems down the road. I would try eliminating things from your diet and/or get the antacid.

Mrs.AmyDylan · October 2013

TJ1979 said:

Second opinion for sure! My LO was on zantac for a few months until she grew out of the reflux. I might also recommend keeping a food diary for yourself, and see if you notice any foods causing LO to have more issues. LO had a dairy intolerance - mild so no mucousy green poops, but enough to cause reflux and general fussiness (read crying all day every day.) Cutting out dairy made a huge difference in our lives.
Also, keeping LO upright after eating helps a lot with reflux.

Exactly this. The problem could very easily be solved by changing your diet.

fusionbride · October 2013

have you tried a wedge to keep her a little more upright when sleeping? I would definitely try that first.

for us, we ended up using meds, and it really helped. the reflux meds are pretty mild and have low risk of side effects, so I agree with PPs about getting a second opinion.

YellowLily2013 · October 2013

Yep, we medicate and have eliminated dairy and soy from my diet. Definitely don't start rice cereal!

cyprissa · October 2013

Also, my understanding is that cereal doesn't thicken breast milk effectively so that advice doesn't make much sense. My LO has reflux and the pedi put him on Zantac, told me to burp often, use gas drops and gripe water frequently and keep him upright for 30 mins after a feeding...she suggested the bouncy seat.