Going to apologise in advance for this epic post. Thk you those who manage to read it! My 4th DC, DS1 is 16wo, 11wks corrected. Due to his early start & inability to suckle he had formula top ups. He had copious dirty nappies/snuffles/mucky eyes on & off right up till now. Even with no colds at home. At 9wks he stopped pooing every day, & only went every 5 days. With tummy massage & DF that became every 3 days over a couple of weeks. He's had reflux since birth, but has never been that bothered by it. Grumbly, noisy tummy, squirmy at night. Good at burping, but had obvious cramps pain (sudden squeals/electric shock type jerks/headbutting behaviour). Had excoriated angry skin around his rectum from birth (remember a MW bringing me sudocrem when we were still in hospital). He'd always had flatulence & stinky wind that his daddy would be proud of :-)
Eventually I stopped the top ups but still give the v occasional FF so he'd be happy with bottle. At around 10wks My HV suggested CMPI as he ticked a few boxes on their questionnaire (reflux/angry bottom/constipation/cramps/grunting & squirming constantly). She was keen to treat his reflux & as she felt it was secondary to CMPI she suggested I go DF. I got Nutramigen Lipil in case of needing to give formula. 2-3 days in I had noticed a general improvement, but nothing dramatic. Did DF for 3/52 with a slip-up once a week or so (hot milk in coffee once, tiny bit of frosting on carrot cake once). He had several colicky crying hours in the evenings for a few days after these slip ups, but I felt this could be wind, not necessarily CMPI.
6 days ago I broke & had a cupcake with buttercream frosting (or maybe two :-/) & a HUGE slice of fresh cream cake at his Christening. Didn't really believe he was CMPI I guess, (still unsure hence this post).
WELL; on Monday things changed dramatically. He started having really mucousy explosive nappies at least once a feed, 10-11/day. Shockingly sticky & snotty. I saw the poo come out once & it was frothy & sort of dribbled out (sorry if TMI). Dirty nappies even during the night. (stopped this months ago). More unhappy in general (but he seems to be pretty easy going so tolerates discomfort IMHO). He became congested again, and was feeding more frequently. Right up till today 6 days after eating the cake he's still having dirty nappies every feed, but they aren't filling the nappy now. They're more squirty/stainy. They have been green yesterday & today however.
I guess because there's no definitive answer & so many other possible variables I hate labelling him. I have no experience & I'm afraid I don't think any of the HV are up to much (mine wants me to wean onto solids now for the reflux!!!!!!?? Which doesn't bother him. WTF?). GPs are completely disinterested & I reckon a Paediatrician would simply ask me "what do you think?". I trust you mummies out there who have experienced this more. So what DO you think?