Potential CMPA - Aptimel Pepti 1, colic and reflix

[Kaz96]

Hi, I’m after some advice as I’m really struggling with my 7 week old.

She has suffered with Colic since she was 2 weeks and Reflux since 3/4 weeks old. we were originally on Hipp Organic formula, with infacol and colief after receiving advice from midwives. We were then prescribed Infant Gaviscon for the reflux and these seemed to help for a couple of weeks.

She then started to develop a rash over her back and chest and a trip to A and E after hours of inconsolable crying, (purple crying/screaming) suggested it may be CMPA. We have been on Aptimel Pepti 1 since last Friday and whilst the first day it seemed like it really helped (she slept the most she has ever slept!) and she seemed much more content and her rash is calming down. The colic symptoms and reflux are returning and we have had hours of inconsolable crying 6pm-11pm the past few nights, as well as sicking up more of her feeds.

She is still on the infant gaviscon, though as she is now over 10lb she should have two sachets three times a day instead of one sachet six times a day. But on the feeds without the gaviscon she throws up and was arching her back and crying. So have returned to the one sachet six times a day. But this still doesn’t seem to ease all the discomfort of the reflux.

She has a dirty nappy once a day but it is always a struggle for her and includes screaming to get out as it is a hard play dough texture despite changing the milk which we were told would cause changes to her poos. I asked the GP whether the gaviscon would be causing this but they insisted that it doesn’t cause constipation and as she struggles with feeds more so without it that we should carry on with it.

l’m just at a loss of what to do now, so would appreciate any words of advice.

Thank you in advance

It is a very hard phase.
I would say that while it's probably right that she has some sort of allergy (well done for getting it diagnosed) it is also normal for babies this age to have episodes of crying, unsettledness and generally struggling with digestion.

I would wait a bit more to see how she settles with the new milk, it can take a few days / weeks. Witching hour is normal for a 7 week old and that should get better around week 9/10.

Basically what I am saying is that it seems normal to me that the new milk doesn't solve all the uncomfortableness, especially with a sensitive baby. Hang in there as it will get better!

My baby is 16 weeks and this phase feels like a distant memory but I remember how difficult it was. Good luck.

Thank you for your advice! It really helps to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel - it's just so hard seeing her in discomfort and being unable to help 😭

My baby was similar , I was beside myself. He's just turned 10 weeks and the crying, the grunting, the throwing up - have eased so much. When I used to read 'it would get better soon' I never believed them. But you're a few weeks from turning around the corner x

Thank you! Glad to hear your little one is doing better now x

Hi kaz my baby is the same Went on to pepti 1 milk was great for a few weeks along side with gaviscon but now I feel like he’s going backwards he’s now 10weeks and 4days I’m actually going to give aptimil comfort a go as my baby’s reflux is still bad. I feel like im hitting a brick wall everytime and he’s feeding more & more to try and get the discomfort away & his Pooh is also like playdoug. He’s been on this milk now for a good 6weeks and I feel it not right.

How is your baby now? X

Hi Tamzin,

We found that the Gaviscon was responsible for the play do poops and discomfort from constipation. And so we are now on omeprazole to reduce the stomach acid and carobel to thicken the milk. So whilst these have been an improvement from the gaviscon the reflux is still there and so we think she is still reacting to either the lactose or CMP in the Aptamil Pepti, and so we have been referred to a dietician as we think she needs to be on a fully lactose/CMP free milk. However, we were referred over a month ago now and still nothing as they are so backlogged.

Our gut says that the milk is what's causing her so much discomfort still and so we're considering going private (though we can't really afford it!) just so we can get her the help she needs as waiting lists are as much as 23 weeks and we need to know what she is reacting to before we start to wean!

I would trust your gut, but definitely try asking the GP for carobel (we had to ask a few different ones until we got it prescribed) as the Gaviscon definitely caused more issues for us!

Xx