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reflux starting at 5m?

taraleannetaraleanne member
in Babies: 3 - 6 Months
DS is 5.5 months. Is it possible that he's suddenly developed reflux? He's been spitting up more than usual for the past few days, burps like a sailor (LOUD and wet) and sometimes it sounds like something comes back up and he swallows it. He might grimace a bit but otherwise doesn't seem to bother him. Some spit up is an hour + after eating.  A tad bit more fussy immediately after nursing but generally I think that's because he's done and I keep trying to offer more  - he's gotten awfully efficient I guess! The burps often get stuck too, so at bedtime it's taking a while to get him down because I guess it hurts for him to lie there...  this is all fairly new. Sometimes when he's drinking (from breast) it sounds like he's gulping and drinking really fast too.  We have the 6m shots coming up next week so I'll ask pedi then but in the mean time, thoughts on reflux or what else it could be?
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Re: reflux starting at 5m?

  • =Lee=B=Lee=B member
    edited December 2013

    Nope.  It is very common for babies to start spitting up, a lot more, at 4-5 months.  I've heard from a ton of moms that were perplexed by this.  It's mainly because they are now much more efficient at nursing that they take in more milk and their tummy's just aren't big enough so out it comes.

    If he has reflux you would know.  It has trademark symptoms which involve a lot of pain and screaming and back arching and projectile reflux (my daughter would clear 4-5feet out her mouth and nose) and screaming and screaming and screaming lol.  My 8.5 month old just outgrew hers, thank goodness.

     

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  • =Lee=B=Lee=B member
    Also the faster they drink, the more air they take in.  If the burp comes out later (the hour you mention) it often brings liquid up with it. 

     

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  • taraleannetaraleanne member
    Thank you!! Yes, he seems to drink really really fast. Sometimes he even chokes in the morning when I'm most full.   GTK this sounds normal. 
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  • ASmallWonderASmallWonder member
    =Lee=B said:

    Nope.  It is very common for babies to start spitting up, a lot more, at 4-5 months.  I've heard from a ton of moms that were perplexed by this.  It's mainly because they are now much more efficient at nursing that they take in more milk and their tummy's just aren't big enough so out it comes.

    If he has reflux you would know.  It has trademark symptoms which involve a lot of pain and screaming and back arching and projectile reflux (my daughter would clear 4-5feet out her mouth and nose) and screaming and screaming and screaming lol.  My 8.5 month old just outgrew hers, thank goodness.

    Sorry, this isn't true.  Reflux actually generally peaks around 4 months of age and they can have it without the symptoms you listed.  My son has it and the only symptoms he has are coughing and having something come up into his mouth (you can see him grimace and swallow it).  We just went through this with the doctor last week.  He doesn't spit up and isn't upset laying down but he DOES have reflux that they won't medicate because he's not in pain.
    Formerly known as elmoali :)

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  • =Lee=B=Lee=B member

    Most just refer to that as a happy spitter.  It may be the act of 'reflux' but it isn't really the medical condition of 'infant acid reflux'.  It doesn't require meds or intervention, just some extra laundry at times.

    If the baby isn't in pain, isn't losing weight and isn't requiring meds then they don't really have reflux.  The term 'reflux' is being used way to often now a days with infants because we attribute spit up to reflux.  There is a marked difference.  Any parents that have been through life with a reflux baby that was dropping weight, screaming in severe pain and needing meds knows the difference.  It's rather like calling every active child an ADHD child because they show one or two of the same 'symptoms'. 

    My point to the OP was, her baby seems to be experiencing a rather normal growth pattern with breastfed babies and she didn't need to rush out to seek medical attention.  She can bring it up with her doc when next there, and like with your doctor they will make note of it but not medicate unless there is severe pain and weight loss and a lowered quality of life.

     

     

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