REFLUX - can the effectiveness of no dairy and using gaviscon wear off? DS's puking has returned with a vengeance

[MadreInglese]

DS is 3 months old, exclusively breastfed, and from about 6 weeks I noticed a vast increase in his possetting, to the point where we had about 4 outfits, 12 bibs and countless muslins in a washing pile by the end of the day. I've given up bothering to chose nice clothes for me as I'm usually just covered in sick by the end of the day.

After doing a bit of research on here and other sites I initally cut out dairy as I was reluctant to give him medication if it could be avoided. We also kept him as still and upright as possible during and after feeds, shoved some books under the top feet of his cot and tried not to lay him down or jig him around too much, and tried to make sure he'd brought all his wind up. He feeds about every 3 hours for 20-30 mins so I also tried feeding him more frequently but for shorter bursts, thinking perhaps he was just over-guzzling. All of these things appeared to help in the short term but after a few days the sick increased again. So the next step (on GP advice) was gaviscon which worked pretty much immediately from the first time (two sachets with boiled water from a syringe straight after each feed).

But now the gaviscon seems to be not working any more and he is getting distressed - screaming his head off as I try to latch him on for a feed (he has tongue tie too which is an added struggle) and often having quite a grumble just before he is sick. He does not like lying down and arches his back with his arms out rigid to the side while making a sort of growly noise. I initally thought this may be just temper but I think perhaps he is in pain.

What do I do now? I'm still not eating any dairy and we're doing all of the above things, apart from the gaviscon as all it seemed to be doing in the end (after about 4 weeks of use) was making DS very constipated which was clearly painful for him. I have a GP appt on Thurs but she was quite "well babies do vomit you know ".

I can't take him anywhere or give him to anyone for a cuddle or even play with him properly as he's just sick ALL the time

Sorry for the essay, am having a little blub now

Any ideas much appreciated

Hooray. They want to see him but not until next Friday (30th). So I'm on countdown until then.

Hi there, if nothing else helps you may want to try some natural stuff..

have a look at Baby Stomach Ease Tea from Neuners. Because you are ebf you can drink the tea yourself and you will pass the effects on to him.

Here is a link www.immergruen.co.uk

Glad you have an appt buttonmoon

Back at GP's this morning, she was very sympathetic but a bit scratchy head as to what to do next so has referred us to a paediatrician and advised to ditch the ranitidine and just use gaviscon if he's really bad

I'm pleased they've referred him but on the downside she said it will take 2-3 weeks for them to contact me. By which time I may have lost the plot.

Why didn't she just up the ranitidine dose? I don't understand ditching it completely when the gaviscon doesn't work either. It took a while to get DD1's dose right - she was also on the maximum dose. I think that's why my GP just gave DD2 the max dose straight away.

I hope you get an appointment through quickly. 2-3 weeks sounds like an eternity with a refluxy baby.

My DD has the same problem! Gaviscon worked for a bit then wore off. What we do now (and it works for us at the moment!). She has Gaviscon but also Ranitidine (0.3ml for her as a 13lb baby) 30 mins before her 1st middle and last feed. We feed her upright (have just thought is pretty difficult to do if bf) and keep her upright for an hour after feeding. Her favourite toy and a lot of cuddles can sometimes 'distract' her from screaming and leaning her really far foward to wind her after a feed seems to relieve the pain. Controversial as it is we also give her a dummy as the sucking on 'nothing' is very soothing for her and then quickly take it off her and go back to giving her a feed. It is horrible and I really didnt want to give her a dummy but she has it just for feeding time and it works a treat for us. Best of luck! :)

Meggy the dummy will be stimulating saliva production which is a natural antacid. I have always been wildly antidummies but ds is rarely without his as it makes a huge difference to his contentment levels.

Madre I'm sorry about your wait. Next Friday seems like a life time to me. Why don't you take matters into your own hands? I did. Ring the paed dept and ask for the clinic co-ordinator. Explain how much of an impact this is having on your and baby and ask for any cancellations, no matter how short notice. Tell them if they can give you 30 mins you'll be there. Leave them in no doubt as to how much you need to see someone sooner and you may well find that an appointment arrives sooner.

Chin up chick. I know it's hard.

BTW (for anyone bottle feeding), Dr Browns bottles arrived today. He's only had two feeds so far but they really do seem to have had an impact on his windyness. Slightly less sick too, I think.

Same story with DT2 - he's a fairly happy sicker but it's GALLONS unless he's had 4ml of Domperidone in the hour preceding the feed. He's on Enfamil AR and is 20lb, 8 months.

As I understand it, the drugs do the following:

Gaviscon : neutralises acid and thickens feed

Ranitidine : reduces acid production, neutralises acid (it's Zantac)

Domperidone : helps the gullet to keep food in and process it through the intestines.

Omeprazole (losec) : stops the production of acid in the first place

Enamel AR : pre thickened extra floppy formula which sets as it's ward by the body

Neocate : coconut based, entirely milk free formula

Ketotifen : broad acting anti histamine with sedative effect

Certirizine : newer none drowsy anti histamine which doesn't cross blood/brain barrier

Erythromycin : antibiotic which can be used long term at low doses to knock out unwanted gut bacteria

I'm happy to be corrected on any of this! I think this might be the full arsenal of weapons available on prescription.

Hope this helps!

By the way most of these drugs are dosed by weight so if something "stops working" then you up the dose, rather than ditch it!

OP did you get the tongue tie checked? A lot of feeding problems could be due to that. There is a list here: milkmatters.org.uk/2011/04/15/hidden-cause-of-feeding-problems-however-you-feed-your-baby/

Omeprazole is considered more effective than ranitidine so all of you struggling could try pushing for that.

also an Amby hammock helped sleeping hugely for us.