Growth spurt or something more sinister? Maybe silent reflux?

[bogbean]

For the past week my 19 day old DS has been feeding (breast) every waking minute between nappy changing etc.

Initially I thought this is just the 2 week growth spurt... but should it continue for so long?

When I think about it, there are a number of symptoms that lead me to believe it could be something more, perhaps silent reflux.

For example:

• DS wont sleep lying down flat (currently will only sleep for good length of time being held, in moby wrap or lying on side propped up on my arm in our bed)
  

• He regularly coughs, splutters, hiccups, sneezes during and after feeds
  

• He fusses and sometimes cries at the breast
  

• He stretches his neck and arches his back during and after feeds
  

• He hates lying on changing mat - howls usually
  

However, he doesn't cry a great deal (usually because my nipple is constantly in his mouth)

Is this all in my head and just normal baby behaviour?

[noblegiraffe]

It could be silent reflux, but those are all also normal baby behaviour! The coughing and spluttering during feeds could be a sign of forceful letdown, where the milk shoots out too fast for baby to swallow.

Some suggestions on how to deal with this here:
kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

[noblegiraffe]

With the sleep problems, have you tried swaddling?

[bogbean]

I had a brief go at swaddling but he wasn't impressed. Might try again though.

That kellymom site is fantastic... I feel a little less stressed out after reading about newborn feeding on it.

Is feeding 1 or 2 times an hour in the early weeks normal too?

[aldeburgh]

I would agree it sounds like it could be silent reflux. I have researched it endlessly as dd (7 weeks) is suffering with it. In the beginning we thought it was normal baby issues... Getting rid of mucous from birth was related to sneezing and coughing and gagging we were told... But that it usually only lasts a week.
I thought it was all in my head but as she is my 2nd i just got to a point where i knew something was not right... I am not saying your ds has SR and i really hope he doesn't. Just trust your instincts. If things don't settle then seek advice.