Can breast milk help with reflux?

[alfiemama]

I'll just fill you in quickly with a brief history, actually maybe quite long

I was bf lo up to 4 weeks, we were doing OK, had the usual problems like wanting to feed all the time etc. But I gave up sadly because I became quite unwell with an internal infection,my body was so hot with a temp my milk was like cottage cheese (sorry), I was on various antibiotics whilst continuing to bf but they where making lo very unsettled (hv said she was shocked I'd kept going with bf).

Anyway I moved her onto formula, Aptamil at first and then due to reflux symptoms onto comfort. My ds1 had reflux and even now has childhood reflux and is on ranitatine (sp!!!) so I know the signs to look for, she was still being sick, very mucusy and rattly so we took her to the GP who gave her infant Gaviscon, but this made her so constipated it made her little bottom bleed, so I have stopped this straight away.

I have also tried SMA Staydown, but she doesn't like the taste, I know I could ask for Enfamil but not sure if it will just be like the SMA. I'm also worried about making her even more constipated.

I'm now thinking back to when I bf and cannot remember a problem with sick or mucus. I'm still on antibiotics 9 weeks later, Cefalexin, actually does anyone know if you can bf on this? I have until Thursday and then go for another checkup to see if its finally gone.

I'm wondering if I started to pump now, could I build up my supply (I still have some milk). Would bf help me with the reflux or should I try another formula? I really don't want to put her on meds.

I could lower the dose of the gaviscon but worry about the salt content also.

Also can comfort (thickened milk) make reflux worse?

Sorry for all the questions, in a bit of a pickle with it all.

It could actually be she's intolerant to cows milk. It produces similar symptoms to reflux. Also babies with reflux are likely to be intolerant to cows and soya milk.

You could ask your GP to try hydrolised formula if you can't BF. It tastes quite distinctive so you'd have to gradually mix it with her usual milk over time to get her used to the taste.

My DS has both reflux and a cows milk/soya intolerance. Formula had a terrible effect so stopped quickly. Now he's 15 months he's still on BM as still reacts!

BM will help. It's easier and quicker to digest. You'll need to check your antibiotics. Best way to up supply would be to get your DD to feed feed feed especially at night plus pump very frequently. Others will be able to give more advice or try the NCT BF helpline?

My DS was on gaviscon but made him constipated. I diluted it with a teaspoon more water than advised which helped. I did stop it though as wasn't effective. I found ranitidine much better for neutralising the acid and dealt with the vomiting by making sure he had no pressure on his tummy (loosely done up nappies, no trousers and no tummy time within half hour of a feed).

If I were you I'd ask for the hydrolysed formula, mix it with usual formula and up the quantities gradually so more of the hydrolised stuff. Also see if you can up your BM supply and check about the antibiotics.

Thanks Iggly, thats very helpful.

Ive realised that she has been worse since Cow and Gate have changed the formula, they now added fish oils and something else, not sure if thats a coincidence though.

I have just tried her again on SMA Staydown, I warmed it up more and she has just happily drank a full bottle, so will see if that helps, if not I will check out the hydrolysed formula's.

I checked on antibiotics and it would be dangerous for me to do it at the minute, but hopefully off them soon. So going to keep expressing and dumping to work on supply.

Would love to be able to maybe do combined feeding.

Thanks again for the advice, most helpful