Reflux

[Dackyduddles]

I'm tired. Dd2 is 6mths. She's been reflux since the start. I posted here a while back and people kindly advised of ranitidine and domperidone which we use religiously. It seems to barely touch her. I'm fed up cleaning up sick. I'm always covered. I can't keep up with her washing. I'm tired of cleaning.

I went to the docs today just because I've been repeat prescriptioning online and thought I better had so they don't stop giving it out. I like the doctor but I felt like walking under the bus on the way out not getting on it. Apparently she's looking chubby so she's fine. I know she's fine, she just won't stop bing sick! Her bell curve is fine so what was my issue? It's just laundry. I couldn't even cry I was that tired. I just packed up and left. He didn't get it. Just laundry... We changed 5 times in 45 mins. I nearly missed the appointment because of it. We are late all the time due to it. It impacts on dd1 as we never do what I promise because we are late because I'm sorting dd2 out...again! I wanted to tell him I didn't think I was coping but didn't see the point, coz you know, it's just laundry. Last night I changed her 8 times before she went to sleep at 11pm. When I did. The are times I'm shaking to keep it together so I don't shout as its hardly her fault is it but if I change her once I do it a thousand times. I've tried baby porridge. She's still sick. I've tried blw and she was sick. I bf, she's sick. She's such a happy little soul and I love her dearly but honest to god if I see one more puke hit the wall behind me I might melt.

Dh doesn't get it either. But moans when she gets him, coz you know, she doesn't puke on me at all.... Sometimes I'm coping so well I'm marvellous, but others, others frankly scare me. I walked home crying behind my sunglasses today. It's such a small thing in the scheme. Its ridiculous its grtting me this way. And having another I'm sure it will go quickly, but right now I can't see past it and the sodding laundry.

Anyone else coping with it? Hopefully tomorrows a good day again eh?

Dunno if this should be here btw. Sorry. I wasn't brave enough for chat or aibu. She's bf and I'm trying to start weaning.

That's an awful lot of changes of clothes - are you changing with every drop of sick or is she really drenched 5 times in 45 minutes?

Are you using bibs? Muslins? My DS was draped in a muslin as soon as he finished a feed, to burp. Everything was covered in muslins. Bibs would often catch the worst of any sick. Small patches would be rubbed off with a muslin and left to dry. A bit grim maybe, but you can't sustain that amount of changing clothes.

Sma stay down worked instantly for ds2, he started on it at 8 weeks, we never needed ranitidine etc as this worked so well. When he started on food orange ones came back up but that was more manageable. We've just had ds3 and its such a relief not to have another sicky one and its weird only changing him for bed etc as we were constantly changing ds2.

And Muslins were used a lot to line everything to save washing whatever he was on, bibs were changes loads.

My DD2 is never without a bib tbh. I'm lucky that gavisvon does the trick for her, although she still brings up milk/food all day. You are doing brilliantly, and as for the shaking anger, it's not just you! I get the shaky-balled-up-fist rage at least a couple of times a week. I always feel ashamed but after a bit of reflection and wine I just chalk it up and forget about it. Well, after a couple of months I manage to forget about it.

Nb, shaky-balled-up-fists rage not usually due to laundry, mostly due to feeling of not having enough hands/time and unable to shut out DD1 demanding something from me at the same time.

It gets better. I promise you it really does, but unfortunately it just takes time. Unless you've experienced it yourself you don't get what the fuss is all about, hence the "just laundry" comments.

We were constantly late, constantly washing and changing and had 2 bibs on and 3 Muslins for every feed (7 a day) and I frequently ran out of clothes for me. I think my favourite anecdote was when DD vommed all over my birthday presents...

Our DD slept really badly because of it so it was really hard to take her anywhere overnight so people just thought we were being really precious/lazy.

It is really hard, you're completely reasonable to get upset by it but please hang on to the fact that it does get better.

Ill look at stay down milk maybe. Haven't heard of that. She has bibs and muslins. It's more than mouthfuls. It's like water with bits of milk in it. Not thick milk. She's got quite a lot of force so often misses the bibs entirely and hits her legs or arms. I've actually started leaving her damp at times I just don't have that many vests etc!

Bless her. She's so smiley. Not fair. Not that she seems in pain.

It will get better. I promise. It will. It's so hard to see past the next day when it's bad. But, it will get better.

DD has silent reflux. We saw a big improvement at 7 months.

Hang on. You can do this. It will get better.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. My DS had severe reflux until age 4. It has taken me to the edge of my coping skills - and I'm a pretty strong person with lots of life experience. It is really, really tough.
You are experiencing a normal reaction to such a difficult situation. Unless you have been there, it is impossible to comprehend.

A few thoughts based on experience:

• have the reflux medication doses been recalculated regularly based on weight gains?
• ask for a referral to a paediatric consultant gastroenterologist. Severe reflux is beyond the scope of your average GP.
• assuming cow's milk protein intolerance has been excluded?

Do go back to your GP, take someone with you for support if needs be or write it down.

It will get better, but it sounds like you need better treatment. Hang in there.

Is the sick projectile? Would be worth getting a referral to a gastroenterologist to rule out conditions like pyloric stenosis.

Sometimes the meds have little effect and it becomes a waiting game until little one is a bit older. It sounds really hard at the moment but things will get easier.

Hmm thanks a lot crunchie and lotsof. Has not been mentioned by GP at all and I didn't know. Will seriously consider points raised. 4! Good grief. Poor you. Must have been very hard. I'm a mere beginner then!

Yes projectile rather than spit. Sometimes it's spit but usually projectile. Either length of own body or if I've not waited long enough after meds/ forgot meds then can be 6ft. If it wasn't so darn messy I might be impressed.

Last night no changes. No reason why. Not this morning as yet. Just ebbs and flows and when it flows I'm paddling in it. Sense of humour returned with sleep.

Ill persevere with porridge etc too. As when I say I've tried food, as she's only just 6mths I've truthfully only just started both. Dunno spose I thought it would be the miracle and when it wasn't got despondent.

Dd1 at nursery today so I know she's having fun.

Glad things are better today. Hoping you have a less puky phase - DS was always worse when teething or unwell. We bought a carpet cleaner such was the extent if his reflux!

Idiotic question but will she be allergic to bf if allergic to lactose?

Lactose intolerance is rare in BF babies, it's more common to have a reaction to cow's milk protein, which does pass into breast milk.

Phew. Ok well may be il rethink strategy of turning to formula too then. I mean, just cuts down amount of issues. I've been introducing for a month to get a bit of time but may e not good idea....

What's the joke? If its not one thing it's your mother....