cows milk protein allergy and reflux help

[jacquiT62]

can anyone help, driving myself crazy! baby was breastfed until 3 weeks old then changed to formula as coudnt fill him. he then vomited at every feed and was seen by consultant and prescribed reflux meds due to other symptom, (coughing, choking on bottles, wind, pain) symptoms cleared and vomited subsided somewhat but not completely. Still colicy so prescribed nutramigen. After some time he still was not 100% well so milk changed to neocate. This did the trick, however due to meds starting before milk and not having maximum effect requested meds stop if not required. tried without and baba fine.

Problem is however he is now 10 1/2 months and still wkaing twice/three times in the night for a bottle. Saw dietician and due to me feeling baba was still hungry changed milk to Aptamil Pepti 2, as Neocate is so broken down that it does not sit in the stomach at all hence he probably is hungry. Now after 3 weeks baba is up 4-5 times a night clearly in pain. he is also teething and got cold. I am now confused as he is also windy again, coughing at night and screaming in pain. It was suggested reflux is worse at night and that ranitadine should be continued on a night time due to symptoms being worse at this time.

So is the problem, reflux, the new milk, cold or teeth?. I dont know what to do but am concerned about baby being in pain and us not getting much sleep and working fulltime.

We are not due back to the consultant for some time or dietician and feel a pain and a bit neurotic contacting GP again. Everytime I say a milk or meds are fine then week later it isnt lol! help?? any advice please

I know what you mean about feeling neurotic, but sometimes there's no other way, and you've done a great job so far in trying to get the meds/milk balance right! I don't have much to suggest, but replying because my DS has been on the same Aptamil Pepti since he was 6 mo (now 19mo) and was lucky to be fine with it. However, I've heard of some babas who can't tolerate it when they are very sensitive to CMP because it's still whey-based, albeit extensively hydrolyzed. There is also fish oil in it, which is something to take into account as it can be an allergen.
How is he doing on solids? Do you think he has enough of those during the day if you think the problem is hunger? Because if the Neocate eased the reflux symptoms, it must be a good idea to stay on it (even if it is more expensive than Pepti!).
Have you tried the ranitidine at night yet? And has it made any difference?

I agree with garliclover, Neocate is better for those babies who are very sensitive to even the tiniest amounts of CMP so that could be why your little one has got worse on Pepti. I would add that reflux is very common in babies with CMP allergy and often continues for far longer than in non-allergic babies. My DS suffered with reflux until he was 2 and half. I was told it's something to do with the oesphagus being irritated and inflammed due to their allergies. I would give the consultant's secretary a ring and lay it on thick to see if there's any chance you could get seen sooner or possibly speak to the consultant over the phone. In my experience the secretaries are usually pretty good and will try their best (unlike GP's receptionists who seem to want to make sure you never get to see a doctor!).

thank you all for your help, i think we will have to go back to neocate or try aptimil with ranitadine will offer the doc my thoughts and see what they say! feel bit guilty i asked for a change but maybe he is comfort eating or needs aptamil to fill him a bit but with meds, all so hard, u drive yourself crazy lol