6.5 months old and reflux still going strong.

[veggysaurus]

Hello everyone,

My DS has reflux and although at the 6 month mark it has improved, he's still sick multiple times a day and very uncomfortable all day long. Around 5 months old there was a brief period of about 2 weeks when everything got so much better and he was barely sick and pretty happy all day long and then we began weaning.... And now it seems we are right back where we started. All the doctors and HVs told me that once he started weaning the solid foods would reduce the amount he's sick as its more difficult to come back up but he's actually being sick a lot more, only now it's accompanied by ear splitting screaches all day. He has also gone back to being visibly uncomfortable, arching back, drawing up legs ect.
So now for the medical details - we have recently seen the dietician, she said it could possibly be cows milk protein allergy (something ive thought all along) so suggested Neocate and also advised to avoid all dairy traces when weaning until about 1 year old and that's what I've been doing with the food, however he is still on Aptamil Pepti which still has CMP traces in it, but my doctors flat out refuse to prescribe him Neocate has he is gaining weight just fine and it costs them too much apparently (sigh). He's also been on gavison and ranitidine, both of which we've stopped as gavison caused constipation and ranitidine didn't help much. Anyway, is there anyone else out there still struggling with a refluxer? I could really do with some advise on weaning and what foods may make him worse? And maybe a little bit of hope about when I can look forward to things getting better as I am sooo tired of cleaning sick off the carpet, clothes, toys, bedding...everywhere really. :( Also, he doesn't sit up yet so I wonder if when he can finally sit up maybe that will help things? Thanks.

I'm not sure if you're on Facebook but there's a great page called silent reflux reflux cmpa and intolerances. My 12 week old has a cows milk allergy and silent reflux. The only advice we've had when weaning is to try her with soya

Mine was very sicky and on gaviscon, didn't seem to be in pain like yours though . The sickness didn't abate with weaning, it was just orange and smellier. It seemed to stop quite quickly about 10 months, so it may be he just needs more time to grow out of it.

One of the best pieces of advice a health visitor has ever given me is that a child with reflux should learn to chew to develop their muscles, and to therefore try to not overuse purees. It really really helped my DS, who is now nine and a half months and rarely sick.
By the way, we didn't do baby led weaning as such - I just moved on to lumpy purees very soon, and then to proper solids (basically our own food). He is now at a stage were he positively rejects anything pureed! It is worth trying!

My DS is nearly 8 months and in a very similar situation. he takes ranitidine and infant gaviscon. We are awaiting a paediatrician appointment in 1 week and also paid to see a private doctor as we, like you, we're worried when it got worse and we're miserable with the constant changing and cleaning.
Weaning hasn't helped, even though we were advised to cut down milk feeds and did this easily. He is now only on 3 7oz bottles. He is a late sitter, only mastering it this week and when he reaches forward makes him vomit more. He loves to roll and this doesn't help, plus he now likes putting his fingers in it if I'm not quick to wipe up! Our consolation is that DS does not seem in any discomfort or pain with it at all. He is also a good weight. It just does seem to be the valve in top of stomach isn't working fully. He now does much more blw meals but a drink of water will often bring it all up. It's now affecting us with things like visiting friends and going to groups. (Ever tried cleaning vomit from a ball pit?!)