vomit

[henno]

OK, I know babies throw up but is it normal for them to throw up repeatedly between feeds? 20-week old daughter feeds roughly every three hours during the day, feeds happily and burps easily, but tends to puke at intervals of every ten to 30 mins between feeds - especially when lying on her tummy (can't really prevent this as she has mastered rolling over!). Have mentioned this to several HVs but they always offer the same advice - handle her more gently, keep her upright for 20 minutes after each feed, angle her cot mattress etc. I have tried all these things, but none of them has made any difference. She is gaining weight steadily and doesn't seem unwell otherwise, but gets pretty upset by the puke (who wouldn't?) if she's lying on her front as the she tends to go face down in it. Aside from the constant mess, should I be worried about this? Is it worth bypassing the textbook advice trotted out by the HVs and seeing my GP?

[MatNanPlus]

I would to be honest, if this is constant between feedings, she could have a floppy valve at the top of her tummy or reflux.

Another opinion since you have tried the suggestions so far with no success wouldn't hurt.

[henno]

Well it's usually pretty frequent - though today it's only happened a couple of times, but then she hasn't been on her tummy much (sitting propped up with pillows at the mo and loving it). Maybe I'll see the GP - can't hurt after all. Is there some sort of test for reflux or a faulty stomach valve?

[MatNanPlus]

If it is the valve it will strengthen as she gains abdo strength when crawling/walking.

For reflux they can do a acid test.

Having her propped up will relieve the pressure on her tummy.

Does she have a bumbo or door bouncer? both good for keeping her securely upright.

[NotQuiteCockney]

If she doesn't end up face-down in the puke (eww, poor thing) does the puking bug her? If not, I'd just leave it be.

My DS2 was pretty pukey, rarely full feeds, but often bits and pieces. I think it's their way of keeping your supply up, tbh. He gained weight well, and wasn't bothered by it, and I just got used to it. Often I'd pick him up, he'd lean over my shoulder, and I'd hear the "splat" as the puke hit the wooden floor.

He grew out of it, by the time he was 6 months or so.

[henno]

She's only bothered by it when it happens while she's on her front, even if she doesn't end up sticking her face in it. But she gets pretty irritated by it in those circumstances. I thought those door bouncers were considered bad for babies' hips? Or am I thinking of something else??

[sniff]

my baby does this and the gp gave me infant gaviscon this morning so will try it to see of it works

[bionicley]

Henno, you might want to try feeding her more freqently as sometimes more smaller feeds can help them not to bring so much back up. Reflux is overdiagnosed.

[henno]

Saw my GP today and she says it is almost certainly a weak stomach valve, definitely not reflux or anything more sinister - so we'll just have to live with the mess until she gets a bit bigger/stronger. Thanks for all opinions

[liquidclocks]

Don't know why someone said further down that reflux is overdiagnosed - from what I've read it's the other way around.

Anyway - henno, can't see if you BF or FF? If FF you can get a special type of milk that semi-solidifies in the stomach called enfamil and I got it on prescription for DS, though he had a diagnosis of reflux (whic incidentallly is a weak stomach valve resulting in stomach acid coming back up wrong way - not sure where the difference is?). It made him a bit more comfortable but the main benefit for me was that it's much easier to clear up the sick as it doesn't go so far. I think sma do a version called stay-down milk but not sure.