Reflux or CMPA?

[Lucinda15]

I've posted a few times on here about my DD (12 weeks) who we suspect may have a CMPA. My DS (5yo) had CMPA and egg allergy but now grown out. He was breastfed and we didn't discover these until we weaned at 6 months. DD is formula fed so I am new to the signs and symptoms we are getting with her and unsure what is normal or not. Also, DS was Ige and we suspect if DD allergic, it is non-Ige as symptoms are not very similar.

So, we switched from breast to formula at 3 weeks. She was very constipated and unhappy on standard formula so within a few days we switched to comfort which seemed better. But within her first week she developed what we thought was blood in stools. Took her to docs/consultants who advised likely CMPA and prescribed nutramagin. She was incredibly unhappy on that, and very very sicky. So we returned to comfort and waited for a prescription for an alternative hydrolysed formula. Over a few days wait, on the comfort, her symptoms cleared up. Consultants said carry on with comfort until any other symptoms return.

She seems fine, has been grumpy but don't know if that's just her nature (!) but was quite sicky. More than posseting but never seemed to distress her and she likes her bottle! Sometimes though, it's like a waterfall! And can happen a while after a feed. Consultants advised to reduce deeds to try and control the sickness otherwise we will try another hydrolysed formula (aptamil pepti).

In the meantime, we have discovered an undiagnosed posterior lip tie and had that fixed. This seemed to improve the amount of air she was taking down and the sickness improved too. But it's beginning to happen more regularly again which I'm finding very frustrtating.

Again this morning we have had another 'waterfall' episode of sickness just after a feed. And the last few days have been very sicky, I've got thru loads of muslins and tops!

But she seems happy in herself and gaining weight. No other signs of allergy, apart from green fairly wet stools but I wonder if this is normal for comfort formula??

So my question is, could the sickness be a sign of reflux (is this possible without any other signs of reflux?) or more likely a CMPA considering her history? Or just normal baby behaviour?

Any experience/advice very much appreciated as I'm baffled!

Sounds more like reflux than cmpa! Comfort milk tends to make nappies loose anyway

It does sound more like reflux. Have you tried using a thickener like Carobel in the formula to see if it helps reduce the vomiting? Which bottles do you use?

Thank u! The comfort formula is quite thick as it is, so don't really fancy adding anything thicker. But, interestingly, when we tried other milks which were much thinner (normal formula and nutramagin) her sickness was terrible! We assumed allergy/intolerance related so maybe if there are no other signs of allergy we can perhaps try those milks again and try the thickener if she is sicky.

We currently used mam anti colic bottles, which seem to be working well for her generally.

The sickness is very sporadic and really comes and goes. She will have a few days where we have next to no episodes, then a day or so when she seems to posset regularly and we maybe get one or two waterfalls. It's really odd.

But she dsnt seem in any discomfort with it at all and is happy to lie flat and seems ok in other respects. Apart from the horrible nappies which, as you say, could just be due to the comfort formula.

Sorry, I missed that you're back on comfort formula. Definitely don't add thickener to that, only the Nutramigen etc. You say she's grumpy - perhaps that is down to the acid from reflux. Might be worth discussing ranitidine with your doctor. It wouldn't stop the reflux but could make her more comfortable if she's bringing stuff up but swallowing it down again without you realising.

I think it's both. My consultant said family history is a Huge factor, so if your first child's has it, it's likely your second will too.

I have had 2 DC's both reflux & CMPA. My first aged 3 is still ige allergic to diary & eyes, severe reflux until 14 months. My second DC 7 months is non ige to diary (appears on tolarate egg throughout breast milk) he's also being medicated for reflux. They both had different symptoms due to being ige/non ige.

I was told CMPA & reflux does go hand in hand.

Hi, sorry I know this post is from 2017 and you may not even see this but this is exactly what my 4 week old is like at the moment! What was the diagnosis in the end?? X