Twins with reflux - when does it improve?

[Thewheelsonthebusgo]

Just looking for some support really. Our 12-week old twins have pretty severe reflux and today has been another impossibly fussy day with what feels like almost constant screaming. Both bring up huge amounts of milk and are obviously in a lot of pain especially on their backs. We've just managed to put them down but no doubt will be running in and out every fifteen minutes all evening and then up all night again. It's super hard as with lockdown we can't get family or friend support. Hubby is working from home but he does actually have to work and so can only give minimal help really. Also health visitor appts and six week check have all been cancelled due to the situation and just feeling really down about it all today. I'd really like to hear from mums of reflux babies - when did the reflux symptoms start to improve? Suggestions also welcome although I feel like we've tried absolutely everything! Planning to do early weaning as well as soon as they are ready but that's still a while away - did that help anyone? Thank you in advance for supporting a lonely first time mum xx

[Mamibaer]

My premature baby (33 weeks) had reflux and the doctor said it was likely to stop when he reached 5 kilos. And it did, virtually the same week. Such a relief. Good luck, I know how hard this time is (although I only had one!!)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

You have my deepest sympathy, I had a crier that didn't sleep and it was so difficult. I can't imaging how you are coping with two.

What have they been given for the reflux so far?

Also, have the usual causes been ruled out like Tongue Tie and Cow's Milk Protein Allergy?

Have you found the multiples section on MN too? There are some lovely, supportive MNers in there

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

*imagine

[Mizydoscape]

DD reflux improved massively once she was able to sit up probably around 6 months old

[aimzxd]

Phone your gp, they should still be doing triage calls. Mine prescribed gaviscon over the phone. He was prem and had reflux from about 10 weeks but i thought it was colic till after lockdown. He's over 5 kilos and still has it bad. Gaviscone has taken the pain away for him and he is much more settled. Took a few days to really start to work.

[Toinfinityandbeyonce]

I didn’t know DS had reflux. He screamed every morning when. I laid him down to dress.
Projectile vomiting after his 4am feed meant by the time I’d changed his clothes and bedding he was wide awake and ready for the day ahead!
Health visitor never mentioned it could be this.
DS was always crying, probably down to discomfort and hunger.
First thing she did was get Dr to prescribe something to add to his feed to make it heavier but DS would refuse the bottle.
Then she suggested changing from ordinary Cow and Gate to Omnio Comfort which worked wonders as it was a heavier type of powder, so stayed down and he was a different baby, much more contented.

Also keeping them sitting upright as much as possible, although I know there are time limits on how long you can do this.

DS was a c-section delivery and also seemed to be snuffly and congested all the time.

[Thewheelsonthebusgo]

Thank you to everyone for the replies. We've tried gaviscon and also carobel which is another feed thickener but they didn't help only made them constipated. They are bf so also very hard to give them thickeners but we did try for a few days in case it would help. Doctor wouldn't prescribe omeprazole as they are gaining weight well and doc seemed to think it doesn't really help anyway. We're keeping them upright as much as possible after feeds and also side sleeping on doctors suggestion which has helped a little. Doc actually suggested tummy sleeping but I'm too scared to do that at the moment although we have no other risk factors for SIDS. They are both just about 5 kilos now and it's still getting worse not better. Just waiting till we can start early weaning in a couple of months as I can't see any way things will improve before then. Tongue tie and CMPA have been ruled out and I also tried going off dairy but it didn't make any difference.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

If it's not TT and it's not CMPA, then this article from Kellymom might help