Milk allergy/reflux. Need advice please!

[MidnightStars]

Hi, I'm son is 12 weeks old and allergic to cows milk since 2 weeks old. He also has acid reflux. We have been on nutramigen just over a month now. Still a few symptoms but was very settled compared to anything else (and we tried neocate too).
We tried carobel to thicken the milk which he didn't get on with. My doctor wanted to try gaviscon which we have for 11 days now. It's stopped really calmed the vomiting but is now unsettled during the night! He wriggles around a lot , whinges, coughs a bit im now so tired!! The Dietcian suggested ranitidine which I've tried to stay away from but I can't see no other alternative. What would you do? Xx

DD had ranitidine and neocate, which turned out to be the magic combination for her. I'd give it a go.

You could try Nutrimagen AA which is even more hypoallergenic. It's also worth thinking about trying omeprazole if things continue and ranitidine doesn't work - worked like magic for my son, who thankfully grew out of the reflux aged about 2. Good luck.

My DS was on gaviscon and we were warned it can cause constipation. Could that be what's making him uncomfortable? Could you try baby massage to relieve the discomfort?

I tried to keep DD off ranitidine as I was worried about giving her medicine. I think we're conditioned to NOT give babies medicine generally? I wish I'd given it sooner as it really, really helped. All the night time issues you mention there are typical of silent reflux, so ranitidine could really help.

Nutramigen and gaviscon worked for DS for the reflux, but it gave him terrible colic, tried everything and eventually colocynth granules from Boots pharmacy sorted the colic out straight away. They're homeopathic and quite expensive, but they are little miracle workers!

My 5wo DS has silent reflux and has been on ranitidine for a week. The difference is amazing!

Prior to that he was on gaviscon which had limited success. I have stopped the gaviscon as he was struggling to poo and v windy overnight. He is a lot more comfortable now

Thank you, I might suggest it to the Dietcian. She did say about sorting the reflux out first then look at changing the milk but I'll see what she says again

He definitely seems to be windy again and have colic like symptoms. He's having trouble pooing which in turn he's not drinking so much. Think I will ask for the ranitidine today

My ds had Omeprazole and I asked the consultant how safe it was and she said entirely safe. It was not a big deal to her at all. If your baby needs the meds, go for it. Reflux is painful.

Sounds like you also need neocate (or nutramigen aa, but I don't know much about that ). Good luck

I had neocate for both mine. One puked all time one has colic. It is fab. One still has trouble pooing but that is ongoing.
Get on neocate as soon as you can as it takes 4 weeks to work

Thanks I'm def going to stop using the gaviscon as it has solved one problem but created another. Hopefully he will prescribe me ranitidine as he said he isn't a fan of meds for children and that's when he gave me gaviscon to use again!
I want to try him on a diff formula ( we tried neocate for 3 days) only problem is he seemed worse! Very windy and crying. Plus it was too thin and thickening with carobel doesn't agree with LO did your LO get windy to begin right on neocate? X

With* sorry I'm half asleep still!

Check carobel ingredients from memory I think it's potentially not dairy free? I could be wrong though. Nutrimagen AA is slightly thicker than Neocate IMO. I was reluctant to medicate too, but then saw the difference in my little boy once we got the meds right and realised for him it was the right thing to do (had been projectile vomiting after every feed and writhing in pain an hour after feeds clutching his throat in pain). I've got a second son now and although he's also a bit sick often, it's nothing compared to what my first son was like.

Don't worry, I've checked and carobel is milk free!