Reflux & Possible CMPA / Lactose Intolerance

[CarlyBarly22]

ANY HELP/ADVICE MUCH APPRECIATED!!

My baby is 9 weeks old and what a difficult 9 weeks it's been! He has been formula fed since 1 week old and has suffered with reflux since 2 weeks. Wanting him on an organic milk, I chose Hipp Organic first infant milk and it took me until he was 4 weeks to realise his constant sick wasn't right. He was diagnosed with reflux so I immediately switched him to Hipp's anti reflux milk. There was an immediate improvement and I was over the moon to see the sick greatly reduced! He did well on this milk for about 2 weeks but by the time he was 6 weeks I noticed that he was having digestion difficulties. I found that his tummy would swell so much and go rock solid and he was very windy. I saw that Hipp did a comfort milk to help with digestion issues so I put him on this but his reflux and his sick was awful. He lasted a couple of days before i put him back on the anti reflux. For the last 3 weeks my poor baby has had the most explosive diarrhoea approx 6 times a day. To the point that it would shoot across the room if his nappy was off and leak out of his nappy ruining his clothes. After his poos, his tummy would immediately become smaller and softer and he'd be happy and settled until his next feed where the discomfort would start again. His reflux also started to get worse so on Friday I took him to the GP.

I should also say at this point that he has tried infacol, colief drops, gripe water and infant gaviscon. None of these things have worked.

Having spent hours reading up, I think my baby either has a cows milk protein allergy or he is lactose intolerant. He definitely has reflux but Im not sure whether this is a separate issue or a symptom.

After our appt with the gp 2 days ago, a stool sample has been sent off to check if he is lactose intolerant. And yesterday he started his new prescription formula called Neocate which is for babies with CMPA.

I know it's only been a day but I am so worried! His reflux is worse than it's ever been and he hasn't had a poo in 24 hours (although his tummy looks fine). He seems very agitated, cries a lot, is often kicking his legs and most concerning of all he has developed swollen puffy eyes!! Neocate is hypoallergenic so I just can't understand it. I know I need to give Neocate 2 weeks but it's soul destroying to see your baby so unsettled and unhappy

Has anyone else been through anything like this who can offer some advice please??

[FlissMumsnet]

Hi CarlyBarly22, would you like us to move this into Children's Health? I'm sure you'll find some good advice there. Let us know and we'll be happy to move it over for you

[CarlyBarly22]

Yes please! Thank you

[Shurelyshomemistake]

You poor thing.

Did the GP prescribe Neocate straight off?

If it's a milk protein allergy then it can take a while to get the milk proteins out of the system.

Lactose intolerance (in true sense) is very very rare in tiny babies...of the two, is much more likely to be CMPI.

However if the vomiting/ diarrhea continues and baby seems more and more distressed then please take him right back. Could be infection, late-presenting pyloric stenosis, anythinh.

Am not a medic BTW, just a mum whose little one had CMPI.

[Shurelyshomemistake]

Reading your post again ... the puffy eyes thing. Is that a new symptom, never had it before?

If you're sure it's not from crying i think I would get that checked.

To give you some hope, my nearly 6 YO is now a health little boy with no allergies aside from hayfever and the easiest, sweetest child ever

[CarlyBarly22]

Thank you so much for replying! He has now been on Neocate for one week and he was back at the doctors again today as he hasn't had a poo in 4 days!! We've gone from having a baby with chronic diarrhoea to a baby who is constipated! The gp said she didn't believe he had a blockage having listened to his tummy but I have been advised if he doesn't go before Monday I have to take him to hospital

His reflux has got worse too. I understand from reading up that constipation will make reflux worse?? Poor kid has been having screaming fits since yesterday to the point of exhaustion.

The puffy eyes - I can honestly say I think that was due to over tiredness and crying. It's gone now.

Yes the doctor did prescribe neocate straight off. He's had no testing for CMPA but I have heard the tests are pretty unreliable??

Did your LO have neocate and if so how long did he take to fully settle on it?

In terms of my LO's constipation I've been advised to do tummy massage and cooled boiled water between feeds. That's fine but I can't get my head around a 10 week old not going for 4 days!!

[Mistylake]

My son was out on Neocate for CMPI when he was about 6 months. It took about 2 weeks before we were sure it was working. We had a fair bit of diarrhoea/constipation/diarrhoea over the years. We found lactulose helped but not sure if yours is too young for it? Not going for 4 days per se isn't such a problem but it can be very painful and I'd take him back/to hospital if he really struggles with the pain. You may not be able to see if Neocate helps until he's got it all out and the gut has a chance to heal. Hope your little one feels better soon.

If it is reflux, it should settle a lot in the next few months, if it is CMPI hop over to the special threads on food intolerance when you get to weaning and beyond! X

[Beckys80]

Hi, just wondering what you did in the end for your baby as I'm having the exact same problem as you with diarrhoea explosions on the anti reflux hipp milk and I'm wondering whether to persevere or change milk, did your baby end up being lactose intolerant?

[LeaGreen]

Beckys80 - What did you end up doing? Did you stick with the Hipp Anti-Reflux? I am having the same issue and wondering if I should switch to Holle or stay the course... Thank you!