God I hate silent reflux!

[BettyBoo246]

So my dd now 6 weeks has the dreaded silent reflux as did my ds 5 years ago! I absolutely forgot just how awful it is. However with ds ranitidine was the magic potion that worked but with dd it’s just not working, nor is gaviscon and nor is Nutramigen formula
My gp I think has also given up on what to do next, do I push for omeprazole or do I probably need paediatric referral for that? I know it will eventually rectify itself but it’s really getting me down now, more so than before.
We did also take ds to a cranial osteopath which I’m not sure if it helped but I’m thinking of trying that with dd, I’m just so desperate to try and help her. Any advice would be greatly received

[babysharkah]

How long has he been taking the ranitidine for? Is the dosage right?

[BettyBoo246]

Hi babyshark she’s been on ranitidine for around 4 weeks now and on maximum dose of 0.7ml 3 times a day, gp said at 9lb 2oz he wouldn’t want to increase it anymore than that atm. I really don’t think she is cmpa either but gp has said to keep her on it for now which she has been for 2 weeks.
I get the feeling the gp is getting fed up of my weekly calls

[LashesZ]

Do you thicken the nutramigen at all? I've heard that because it is such a thin formula it can aggravate reflux

[BettyBoo246]

This is something I did think about too Lashes, it is like water! I asked about carabel but docs said it really is horrible stuff and may constipate her. When she was first on ranitidine it was minimum dose and didn’t touch her but docs then increased it to maximum dose and gave Nutramigen at the same time, so I just wonder if now that she is on maximum dose the ranitidine would actually be working if she was on the normal thicker formula

[Stroller15]

I am not a doctor so would advise to go back to GP - don't worry what he thinks. If dd does not have cmpa then I don't see why she has to be on nutramigen. Perhaps check to change to normal formula and if rantidine still isn't working then ask for omeprazole. I know every baby is different but it was a 180 when my ds had his gaviscon/ranitidine/formula balance correct.
Good luck OP!

[BettyBoo246]

Thanks Stroller, I think we pinned all our hopes on ranitidine and now just feel so deflated and exhausted by it all. I told gp that since being on Nutramigen dd’s dry skin cleared up and her painful gas seems to have stopped so he did think she might have cmpa but it’s just not stopping the sr.
I want to try her back on regular formula but dh is really apprehensive about it, he’s worried about the constipation, upset tummy and the chance of the reflux flaring up even worse but unless we do it we will never know

[Scottishmummy18]

My 10 week old has reflux. Since using carobel from 6 weeks old as well as keeping him upright for 20-30 mins after a feed he hasnt brought a feed back up. His poos are a bit play dough like but he doesnt seem to struggle much. We do still have 1 or 2 feeds a day (more so in the evening) where he is struggling to eat because of the acid reflux so started ranitidine yesterday. Was expecting a few days for change if any but not had an episode today and already seems more content. Fingers crossed its working. My GP did say if it does then can move on to omeprozole so assuming they can prescribe.
Hope you get something that works for LO.

[NameChange30]

Some babies with CMPA still have problems with Nutrimagen (the proteins are broken down but not completely) so if you have noticed a slight improvement after 2 weeks but not a complete improvement, you could try Neocate.

Bear in mind that if it is CMPA, it can take several weeks for the protein to leave their system and for their gut to heal, so you do need to be a bit patient with it.

Ranitidine can work for some babies but you need to make sure they're on the appropriate dose for their weight. It doesn't work for all babies and some need omeprazole as well or instead.

I would be requesting a paediatrician referral at this point.

I recommend the book "colic solved: the essential guide to infant reflux", it helped me when I was going a bit crazy with it and has some helpful tips.

Do get a wedge for the Moses basket or crib if you haven't already.

[NameChange30]

Btw if you're not convinced it's CMPA and want to try going back to regular formula to confirm the diagnosis, can I suggest that you wait until she's been on Nutrimagen for a bit longer (a month maybe) then give her one bottle of regular formula to see if she reacts? Go back to Nutrimagen, wait 3 days and if she hasn't reacted by that point you could go back to regular formula.