Reflux or dairy allergy?

hbird0723 · August 2014

A couple weeks ago our LO was put on Zantac for reflux. It has helped the spit up situation after eating and I don't notice as much arching but I'm feeling like it's not all the way gone. The last couple days I've had more dairy than normal (ice cream and grilled cheese) and I've noticed that her symptoms are even worse. She's having more arching again and lots of gas. It took us over 2 hours to get her to sleep last night. She's waking from naps crying again and in pain. Then she's exhausted all day and gets overtired because I can't get her to sleep again. I've also noticed some dry skin patches now and she still constantly sounds congested been though the doctor said this medicine will help. She now has the cough again. I guess I'm just wondering if she needs a change in meds or if this is something else? I guess I could always try to eliminate dairy and see if it helps. I know there are threads on this so sorry if this is a repeat. I'm going to call the doctor today too I just feel so bad for her. Has anyone else gone through this?

hbird0723 · August 2014

I guess I'm confused because both things have very simar symptoms and I don't want her on meds if it's something else.

mrsbtobe20122 · August 2014

Then I guess try going dairy free for a month or so?

hbird0723 · August 2014

Yeah I think I will. It's going to be hard!

lavendergiraffes · August 2014

I have gone dairy free recently and it's a lot harder than I thought it would be! Most of the meals I make for all 3 meals have dairy in them so I have had to restructure my meal planning. However, it has really helped. I did that before putting her on medicine (mostly bc I had dairy issues when I was a baby and I am lactose intolerant but take a lactaid pill when I eat). She was having screaming fits and coughing and all those signs of reflux. I think she still has it because she still has those signs but I want to avoid meds if possible. Anyway, my point is it helped a LOT! It doesn't hurt to try.

giggler25 · August 2014

Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure - you're going to have to rely on trial & error. I'm on a no dairy / no soy diet AND my DD is on Prevacid. Often times any food intolerance makes reflux worse. Honestly, no dairy isn't as hard as it seems once you do it for a week or so, and I'm normally an ICR cream fiend. (No soy is really hard for me BC soy is in almost all packaged foods.). Dairy is a hard protein for little tummies to digest so it does cause a lot of gas. Almost everyone I know who stopped eating dairy while BF noticed big improvements in terms of their LOs gas. Be aware though that it can take 3-5 weeks to totally clear your and your LO's systems. If it might help your baby, there's no harm in trying it! There is a MSPI check-in on the BF board that I've found really helpful.

lfleming84 · August 2014

Out of curiosity, does your LO have mucousy poop? That was a major symptom I noticed with DS along with congestion, and dry skin patches. I went off of major dairy sources (milk, cheese, yogurt) but not total elimination (I will eat baked foods that have milk in the ingredients for example). I noticed a drastic change within days. It is worth giving it a try. Just reached 2 weeks and DS is doing great and I am doing okay without cheese and my daily yogurt.

CamrynnsMommy · August 2014

Sounds like classic MSPI symptoms. You could try to cut obvious dairy and see if there's any change.

dragossoul84 · August 2014

My gi specialist told me mucus in poop meant an inflammation in the bowel due to an allergy.

hbird0723 · August 2014

She does have some mucus in there. I just thought it was normal but after all the ice cream it's so much more noticeable. I am definitely going to give it a try. I think I might just start with milk, cheese, ice cream and yogurt first. Thanks everyone!