Possible reflux in breastfed baby

[spydie]

I'll start by saying we have a Drs appointment next week, so just posting for opinions really from those who have first hand experience.

4 month old DD2 is just so unhappy right now and I'm wondering if it could be reflux?

She can be incredibly sicky, not just the usual bringing up of a little milk after a feed, but bringing up pools and pools of the stuff. It's been on and off and the first time it happened was maybe 4 or 5 weeks old. She's also always been really, really farty. She can be asleep at night and let's out the loudest farts possible.

But right now in addition to that, she's pooing multiple times a day, and as the day wears on gets grumpier and grumpier and feeds get harder and harder. She starts arching her back and thrashing her head and legs around, and as the day goes on she gets to a point where she won't feed, yet is constantly crying and won't be put down and constantly has her fist in her mouth. I'm really struggling with it in all honesty!

Does this sound like reflux? Can it come on later on at this age?

Yes, it could well be reflux. Or cows milk protein intolerance. I cut dairy out from my diet and within a week there was a change, but it can take a couple of weeks. It did not sort out the reflux, so my DD needed medication, but it is good to rule out an intolerance if you can.

Upright naps in a sling saved us.

Yikes I'd really hope it's not that as I guzzle milk by the gallon I might speak to the Dr first before trying to cut anything out of my diet.

Yes finding the sling very helpful during the afternoons when I can't put her down!

Reflux isn’t really a diagnosis, it’s more of a symptom. Rather than go to the GP first, id be more tempted to call one of the Bfing Helplines and discuss it with them or visit your local Bfing Support Group. Unfortunately, almost all Drs have received no train8gcat all on infant feeding.

From what you’ve said, CMPA does seem like it could be an option. Have a read of [[https://kellymom.com/health/baby-health/food-sensitivity/Dairy and other food sensitivities in the bf baby]] and My baby is gassy.

Has she been checked for tongue tie too?

I saw several GPs who all thought I was mad cutting dairy out of my diet.and just said my daughter was suffering from 'colic'. Ended up seeing a paediatric gastroenterologist and he said I had done exactly the right thing, had saved my daughter months of pain, and it is what they would have advised me to do.

If you drink loads of milk then you could always just cut down for now?

Having read the links, I don't think it's an allergy or intolerance as she doesn't have any of the other signs such as snuffles or rashes.

Anyway, we ended up in paeds a&e for something else and it got mentioned. We saw a paediatric consultant whilst there that prescribed her ranitidine and 3 days in she's a transformed character

I’d have a read if those articles again, not all have rashes or snuffles

There’s 2 types of allergy, ige (which probably would have a rash and wheezing) and non-ige which has less immediate symptoms. Have a read of this on Kellymom.

I’m glad she’s got something that’s working. Did they give you any indication of what they thought was causing the reflux?