Reflux Babies

laylababe3 · September 2015

Anyone else out there dealing with reflux?

DS is just over 2 weeks old, BF started out good but quickly took a turn when he wouldn't feed for more than 1-5 minutes at a time. He would scream, pull off, feed another minute or two off and on for hours, "bobbing" over my nipple screaming the whole time, then pass out for maybe 45 minutes. Heartbreaking to watch him struggle when he's obviously hungry and trying to eat. When he finally ate enough, he would burp and spit up making him scream even more..

After working with a lactation consultant because I also have a fast milk flow that causes him to choke and sputter, she recommended I see my pediatrician for reflux. My ped. has me feeding him upright, keeping him upright for 20-30 minutes after feedings, inclining his mattress 20 degrees and has him on Zantac drops. She also recommended I try to regulate his feeding times by slowly extending the time in between feedings to 1.5/2 hours. This means feeding in one sitting as much as possible and after he pulls off, ignoring feeding queues for a stretch of time to slowly get him used to waiting a "normal" amount of time in between feedings. She said this would help in the long run with having the need to feed frequently for shorter stretches because right now his tummy is literally always partially full. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, I feel like I'm starving the poor guy, but if it will help I'll try anything!

Sorry this kinda turned into a rant.. but this is exhausting, emotionally draining and more difficult that I could have imagined!!

I've only been at the "fix it" stage for a day now, so I'm not sure if anything I'm doing is working yet. Anyone else dealing with the same situation and have any positive results using these methods? Or is anyone else dealing with this and just want to bitch about it?

candicejeff2013 · September 2015

Oh poor thing. I thought/think my little one has reflux,however, she has no problem eating. She did have a couple choking spells after two feedings. It was the scariest thing ever! I here Zantac is a serious life saver. We have to elevate every surface as well since she will burp up once we put her down. Despite spending 30 min trying to.

LSquared3960 · September 2015

We've been dealing with reflux since DS was about 2 weeks as well (He's not 8 weeks). We FF so in addition to everything you mentioned, our pedi also told us to add a little oatmeal to his bottle. That seems to be what has helped the most. I've tried to out the oatmeal a couple times and he always ends up spitting up most of the bottle. The last few days he's been crying a lot more during feeding in the evening, so I think we might have to up his dosage of Zantac.

laylababe3 · September 2015

candicejeff2013 said:

Oh poor thing. I thought/think my little one has reflux,however, she has no problem eating. She did have a couple choking spells after two feedings. It was the scariest thing ever! I here Zantac is a serious life saver. We have to elevate every surface as well since she will burp up once we put her down. Despite spending 30 min trying to.

I really hope the Zantac works for us! Do you elevate the crib mattress? If so, how do you keep her from rolling and ending up on her side or at the foot of the crib? I'm scared DS will end up on his stomach all swaddled and not be able to flip over.

candicejeff2013 · September 2015

Well to be honest (she's 3 weeks old) we alternate sleep between a rock n play, swing and bassinet. The rock n play and swing are already elevated and she can't shimmy around. But with the bassinet and crib mattress we put magazines and books under them. Then I will roll up a tight blanket (thick ones I got from hospital) and wedge them at her sides. I know loose blankets are a no no but we tight roll them to wedge her. But I'm sure you could get creative and find something that won't unravel. Or just tie a hair tie around it so it doesn't unravel. Good luck!

Lalala2326 · September 2015

We dealt with it with my first. Its definitely not fun

She got off zantac at around 11 months with several dosage changes in there. The rock n play helped a lot but for the inclined mattress we used a rolled up receiving blanket that we rubber banded together and then taped in the shape of a U to the mattress under the sheets. Her little butt is placed in the U with legs over it. Rolled blankets on either side isn't really recommended because baby could slide down between them and block their face. We are doing the same U again with this baby because she still spits up after but she is just a happy spitter so not meds needed.

laylababe3 · September 2015

@LSquared3960 Our ped said pumping and adding cereal was the next step if Zantac doesn't help.. I really hope it doesn't come to that.

@Lalala2326 Great idea taping it to the bed! I want to try this tonight.

SassetteSmurfling · September 2015

I think my girl has reflux. We go to the doctor today. Positional changes have done nothing for us. I'm hoping we get some Zantac today. Sorry no real advice. Hopefully what you're doing helps. It's definitely not fun.

kelseyrayay · September 2015

If you ever use formula go with enfamil AR (acid reflux) my poor Tanner has reflux bad. That's the only thing he can have without throwing it up everywhere. His pediatrician is trying to figure out if he is allergic to milk products or if it's reflux or if he has a more serious problem. We tried Zantac and it didn't work for us. So we were switched to a new medicine. (Can't remember the name) it has to stay refrigerated. He has also had blood in his stool. Tomorrow he has a Drs. Appointment to see if he still has blood in his stool. If he does then they have to do a procedure to see if his tummy is closed in and making it where it's not emptying so he is constantly throwing up his food. They would have to open his stomach up more. I'm really hoping that's not the case.

laylababe3 · September 2015

SassetteSmurfling said:

I think my girl has reflux. We go to the doctor today. Positional changes have done nothing for us. I'm hoping we get some Zantac today. Sorry no real advice. Hopefully what you're doing helps. It's definitely not fun.

Thanks, it really takes a toll.. Hoping your dr has some answers and your LO gets some relief soon!!!

laylababe3 · September 2015

@kelseyrayay How terrible! Poor Tanner.. I hope his appt tomorrow goes well and they figure out what's aggravating your little darling. If we need to do formula, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks

emmacake08 · September 2015

My twins had reflux and the only thing that helped them was removing dairy and soy and I had them adjusted by a chiropractor (which helped some). I remember anytime I had to do a more complicated routine with LOs (like getting them back on the breast after EP), the first day was the worst and most overwhelming and impossible.

Did the LC say whether you could pump for a few minutes to get past the letdown and then nurse? I know some women have success with that. I hope it gets better soon and the medication helps.

acgonzalez22 · September 2015

DS has reflux and is on Zantac. He is on the max dose at 5 weeks old and it took a good 5 days for it to work. He screamed so bad he now has a hernia. Poor thing. But it doesn't hurt him anymore.( I think it hurt me more). I had tried all the above and eventually spent the $ and bought the Dex Daydreamer bed. It is an inclined bed and DS sleeps like a champ with no more spit up/choking episodes. I give a daily Probiotic and also switched to preemie nipples to extend feeding.

Hang in there. If Zantac doesn't work, some babies need Prevacid. It is trial and error. Wishing you and LO relief.

laylababe3 · September 2015

emmacake08 said:

My twins had reflux and the only thing that helped them was removing dairy and soy and I had them adjusted by a chiropractor (which helped some). I remember anytime I had to do a more complicated routine with LOs (like getting them back on the breast after EP), the first day was the worst and most overwhelming and impossible. Did the LC say whether you could pump for a few minutes to get past the letdown and then nurse? I know some women have success with that. I hope it gets better soon and the medication helps.

Oh my, twins with reflux? I can't even imagine! The LC did have me try pumping to get past letdown, but I have a fast flow so it makes no difference. Leaning back only slightly helps.

gulimz · September 2015

My DD just got diagnosed with it on Thursday. I've known for a little bit with the trouble I've had feeding her. Now feeding has literally become a nightmare for the past 24 hrs. Doctor didn't give meds on Thurs because it wasn't as bad as the past 24 hrs. She's spitting up everything she's getting and I'm afraid she's going to get dehydrated. Such a nightmare feeding this poor child. And she looks miserable while feeding. Hopefully the pediatrician will give us Zantac or baby omeprazole. Good luck to all the babies going through it and to the mamas dealing with it.

Kimk1616 · September 2015

Lalala2326 said:
We dealt with it with my first. Its definitely not fun She got off zantac at around 11 months with several dosage changes in there. The rock n play helped a lot but for the inclined mattress we used a rolled up receiving blanket that we rubber banded together and then taped in the shape of a U to the mattress under the sheets. Her little butt is placed in the U with legs over it. Rolled blankets on either side isn't really recommended because baby could slide down between them and block their face. We are doing the same U again with this baby because she still spits up after but she is just a happy spitter so not meds needed.

I had never thought of this. What a wonderful idea, I'm going to have try it!

ChanelLovesB · September 2015

@Kimk1616 can you post a pic?

laylababe3 · September 2015

gulimz said:

My DD just got diagnosed with it on Thursday. I've known for a little bit with the trouble I've had feeding her. Now feeding has literally become a nightmare for the past 24 hrs. Doctor didn't give meds on Thurs because it wasn't as bad as the past 24 hrs. She's spitting up everything she's getting and I'm afraid she's going to get dehydrated. Such a nightmare feeding this poor child. And she looks miserable while feeding. Hopefully the pediatrician will give us Zantac or baby omeprazole. Good luck to all the babies going through it and to the mamas dealing with it.

Sorry you had to join the reflux club.. we don't really sleep and we cry a lot.

Patrick has been on Zantac for 5 days now, barely even a change yet. The only thing it helped is lengthening his feedings from 1-3 minutes to 3-10 minutes at a time. Still screaming and fussy during and after feedings though. They're not kidding when they say it takes time, hopefully it makes more of a difference the longer we're on it!! I would definitely go back to your ped and let them know how bad it got! really hope your girl finds relief, there's nothing more heartbreaking than watching your LO suffer..

hclzmm14 · September 2015

How is it going with you ladies? Any relief since starting Zantac? My LO just got Zantac today and I'm hoping she will feel better in a few days. We are all hoping for some sleep in the near future.

milo091511 · September 2015

May daughter has the sighns of reflux. The pediatrician gave us ranitidine syrup. It has a peppermint flavor. And she screams when I give it to her. It says 1ml 2 times a day. But I only give it to her once a day and it has helped. I have gone maybe 2 days with out the drops. And I haven't had a problem. She is 6 weeks old today. I'm am happy that she is feeling better. Now we have to tackle the gas in her belly

laylababe3 · September 2015

hazeldagarr said:

How is it going with you ladies? Any relief since starting Zantac? My LO just got Zantac today and I'm hoping she will feel better in a few days. We are all hoping for some sleep in the near future.

It's been about a week since I stared Zantac. I've noticed a decrease in frequency and length of freak outs, but he's still crying and screaming at my breast and having periods of inconsolable crying. I had an appt with our Ped today, he said it may take more time to see a bigger difference and/or it just may only help a little. All LO's are different and react different to the medicine. Hopefully we continue on this path and we'll gradually see more improvement! Hopefully it helps your LO!

gulimz · September 2015

I'm glad to hear Patrick is getting some relief @laylababe3 ! You're still able to exclusively breastfeed right?

laylababe3 · September 2015

gulimz said:

I'm glad to hear Patrick is getting some relief @laylababe3 ! You're still able to exclusively breastfeed right?

Thanks! Still exclusively breastfeeding, hopefully he keeps improving and I don't have to worry about introducing a bottle so early!

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