Tips for managing reflux in newborn?

[Highlove]

So my six week old has reflux - they pukey kind, not silent. DC1 barely ever puked so I don't know how to deal with it. The Dr has offered be Gaviscon but she's EBF and its a massive pita to give, so am wondering if there's anything else I can do that might help. Some days are much worse than others so wondering if there are particular triggers? E.g. Things I'm eating maybe?

For the most part she's a happy puker although when it's a long time after a feed it upsets her, I guess because of the acid.

Weight so far is ok although it's progressively getting worse so am a bit worried about that.

So - any tips? It's exhausting. She's so long at the boob it's disheartening to have it come up all over her/me/the sofa AGAIN.

[wherewhere]

I had this with my first, and it was a complete nightmare until I got him on the max dose of omeprazole (in the form of losec mups). Nothing else worked, wished we did it from the beginning.

[Highlove]

Thanks. Does Omprazole stop the sickness or is it just for acid? How do you give it?

[wherewhere]

It's a proton pump inhibitor, so it limits the amount of acid pumped out. It's in a tablet form that you need to crush and give in a syringe - I can't actually remember how I did it exactly, whether I added liquid or not!

I now have Dd, who doesn't have these problems, but I was well prepared in case she did - through experience, I would have just demanded the omeprazole and rejected everything else. Ask for a second opinion if necessary. Consultants are good at prescribing this!

[sleepykidsplease]

My daughter was prescribed gaviscon. She was formula fed by the time she was prescribed it though so easy to give her. I found sitting her upright after a feed helped and also and also really good winding. I used to feed her and put her in her vibrating bouncy chair on a low setting helped jiggle any wind out! and kept her upright enough that if she feel asleep she would be comfy. Sorry, not much use I'm afraid.....

[Hazelra]

My baby had reflux - he had gaviscon and rinitadin. Both helped enormously but it also helped to keep him upright after feeds for 15 mins or so, and putting a wedge (you can get special ones if you google reflux wedge) to put under his mattress so that he was propped up a bit when he went to sleep - gravity is meant to help with reflux a bit! Good luck - it does pass. If it doesn't improve then maybe go back to your GP as its not something you should have to struggle on with.

[leoniethelioness]

My four week old breastfed vomits after each feed. Does this mean he has reflux too? Is it only a problem if he's not gaining weight? I'm going to mention it to the health visitor when I see her next.

[Cakescakescakes]

Some babies are happy pukers. I had one of those. Constant vomit but no crying and good weight gain. Ds2 had reflux. Constant vomit and screaming. Omeprazole worked for us as he was ebf too. Also keeping upright after feeds (even at night) and feeding less and more often eg only one side every 90mins instead of both sides every 2 hrs. With the omeprazole he still was sick an awful lot but it just didn't cause him the same pain. So it won't cure the laundry problem!

[PeppaPigStinks]

Third baby here with reflux.

First one was always sick!

I have learnt - prop up Moses basket

Don't lie them Down after a feed.

The sling is your best friend. Sling baby up if they are unsettled. I usually find the instance they are lying down again they scream.

And controversially all settled on their front or side. I am Comfortable with this but others may not be.

Ranitidine worked for second baby.

If you are breastfeeding see if anything makes it worse. I think coffee and eggs makes it worse for my dc.

[PeppaPigStinks]

Oh also naps in the bouncer

[PeppaPigStinks]

Light clothes to hide the constant vom, dribble bibs and hundreds of muslins (scattered all over the house)

[Cakescakescakes]

My oh is a dr and said that while he can't obviously recommend side sleeping, that sleeping on your left hand side helps with reflux due to the shape or angle of the valves or something. I settled my ds on his left side and it did help but as I say obviously we all know that back sleeping is recommended as safer.....