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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

CMPA or reflux/wind?

5 replies

Trufflepuffpuff · 29/12/2020 08:39

My seven week old baby has developed some worrying symptoms in the last week or so and I'm wondering if it could be CMPA, or whether it's just colic, wind or reflux.

She's formula fed on Aptamil. She was previously partially breast fed but has been having formula to some extent since her first week due to tongue tie/latch issues. I've since given up breastfeeding so she is having formula only now. She previously took it with no problems, but recently has been more fussy, making the odd gulping noises or coughing, and sometimes bringing up milk which she either possess or swallows. She's been crying a lot more and seems generally more uncomfortable. I've also noticed her breathing being a bit more 'wet' at times, and she wakes up quite congested each morning. She also prefers to be held upright to lying down, although she will sometimes settle in her cot or Moses basket. She is often quite windy in the morning too.

Is this a normal phase? Is it an allergy? The docs have been fairly unhelpful, and suggested feeding her smaller feeds more frequently, or reducing what we feed her (which makes her more angry). They haven't really offered any explanation and don't seem very concerned. The problem is I'm exhausted, and so is she (although she's sleeping a lot in the day) and I don't know how long I can cope with this if it's or going to get better.

We've tried infacol which doesn't seem to help and I'm thinking about trying gaviscon but am worried about constipation.

Any experiences or suggestions welcome. Obviously I'll continue on at the HV and GP but I'd like some anecdotal experiences to help me make the case if needed.

Thank you!

OP posts:
JingleJohnsJulie · 29/12/2020 10:08

Has she had her Tongue Tie divided? If not, I'd really recommend getting it done as this could be the source of all of your problems.

The trouble is it's pretty hard to distinguish whether it's TT, CMPA or something else bothering them at this age and can just be a case of eliminating each one.

Do any of her symptoms sound like CMPA?

One other thing to try is swapping her milk. This board was full of MNers a few months ago with very unsettled babies and they were all using Aptimil. I think they changed their recipe and now it doesn't seem to suit some babies. My DN had Hipp Organic and they seemed to thrive on it.

As for remedies for the wind, you could try Dentinox. You can add it to the bottle so it's much less faff to administer Smile

Trufflepuffpuff · 29/12/2020 12:56

Thanks for your reply @JingleJohnsJulie. We did have the tongue tie divided at one week but the symptoms on that link sound exactly like what we're going through so it makes me wonder if it's reattached. Interesting re Aptimil too, although she coped fine before. I'm going to try Hipp Organic anyway as I've heard good things.

OP posts:
Ellax · 29/12/2020 13:01

Hi there, I’ve had a similar experience!

The first thing I would do if I were you is switch her formula to a hydralised formula like aptamil pepti 1 its for babies with CMPA. You can but it online but you can also get it free from your GP.

Also, if you suspect reflux then I would treat her as if she definitely does have reflux so never have her flat, if you can raise the top of the cot, when you’re changing her put a pillow under her head, basically always try to have head above tummy. This sounds like a bit of a drag but you get used to it!

Oh and give her a good burp if you don’t already after every feed.

Try those things and I think you really will see a difference! X

Trufflepuffpuff · 29/12/2020 13:10

Thanks @Ellax what symptoms did your baby have? I was wondering about trying Aptimil Pepti but not sure whether it is CMPA or not. It's very expensive, so I could order one I guess then if it works ask the GP for a prescription.

OP posts:
Ellax · 29/12/2020 13:24

He had all the symptoms... constantly unsettled and I literally mean constantly. He nonstop wanted to fed and I think this is because feeding instantly soothes the reflux pain but too much feeding makes reflux worse so it’s a vicious cycle really.

It may seem confusing that she was fine on the milk but now suddenly seems uncomfortable but the pain reflux causes can build up over time.

If it is reflux, after a while it becomes painful because the milk that is coming back up has mixed with the stomach acid and when it comes back up it makes the oesophagus sore. After a while the endless exposure of acid on the oesophagus becomes very uncomfortable and painful. Because of this it can take a little while for the œsophagus to heal up so give the hydralised milk a week or 2 to see if CMPA was what was causing it. There is a bit link between CMPA and reflux. I know other symptoms of CMPA are green poos, mucusy poos and rashes. My son had none of the typical symptoms but I’ve now had to cut all dairy out of diet! 😩

If I were you I’d switch to a hydralised formula and spread the feeds out across the day. With formula they get a large amount in a short amount of time and so it’s much easier for that to come back up.

Hope that helps x

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