Silent reflux?

[SheWillBeLoved]

DD was drinking expressed breast milk exclusively up until a week ago, when expressing for her every feed from birth just got too much, and after so much help - she still wasn't getting the hang of latching on.

She has been taking 5oz of Aptamil 1st every 3.5-4 hours, from Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles.

She has always been a very windy baby, constantly farting, even in her sleep. She has no problems getting her wind up really, sometimes stubborn but we get there in the end. She also gets hiccups at least 2-3 times per day. Seems to be when she lays down too soon after a feed. She will often throw up a tiny little bit of her feed, and then get hiccups.

For the past couple of days though, she has had a bit of trouble taking her bottles. She'll break away after an ounce, arch her back, and cry. She'll try and take more, but does the same again, eventually giving up completely after about 2-3oz. This isn't at every feed though, usually 1 or 2, and in the evening.

Could it be silent reflux? I was thinking of switching her to Aptimil Easy Digest and feeding her less, more often. Good idea? I'm worried about switching her milk too much, having gone from breast milk, to Aptimil 1st, and then to Easy Digest. Could that be a problem?

Other than these problems she really is a brilliant baby and never cries unless she is hungry, so for her to break away and cry when she is being fed just doesn't seem right. Any info/advice would be great TIA.

[hackedoffandcross]

Bumping for you really as I've not had a refluxy baby.

But just wondering if you have tried any colic remedies first, like infacol, colief, or gripe water, as some people find these help. And how old is she? My sisters baby was similar and it improved a lot around 3months. I wouldn't neccessarily rush to change the milk, a lot of these symptoms can be quite normal, ie being very farty and sicking up a bit after the feeds.

I am a bit biased/sceptical about all these super expensive easy digest/comfort milks that have only come out recently, hope she is more setlled soon.

[SheWillBeLoved]

Thanks for the bump

She is almost 5 weeks. To be honest I didn't think of trying any colic remedies as I assume they just sorted out babies who had difficulty getting wind up. She seems to be fine in that area. I think I probably will try some over the counter remedies first before changing her milk, suppose I'm just worried about them doing more harm than good, especially if she turns out to be just fine!

[sillysalley]

I really sympathise with you, my ds suffered from reflux/colic. Your DD sounds just like what my DS was like at that stage.

My main advice is

1. use dr brown bottles - I tried tommee tippee CTN ones and he was much better once he switched to dr brown bottles

1. Dont shake the formula when you have made it up, it adds more air, instead stir it with a sterile spoon

1. Try not to lie her down flat, although not advised by professionals, I found propping with a pillow really benefited - of course you will need to closely monitor

1. Wear a sling and carry her around during the day e.g. when doing housework, this helps keep them upright

1. Use gripe water (all the other colic remedies didnt work for DS)

I cant think of anything else yet, but will let you know if I think of anything else

It is a difficult time, but it will pass