How to deal with reflux?

[Trufflepuffpuff]

My 10-week old DD has been suffering from reflux from about six weeks. It started quite suddenly, and early on was more silent reflux. I'd hear her bring something up and then swallow, and she'd grimace or cry. She also has an acidic smell to her breath. More recently it's turned into more throwing up/possetting but also quite an bit of coughing, hiccuping and bringing milk up with burps. Sometimes it doesn't bother her but other times she'll be playing happily and then cough some up and cry. I can see it in her mouth so I know that's what it is.

The doctors have told me she'll grow out of it and it's normal. They've given me Gaviscon which I think is helping a bit but she doesn't have it with every feed and I think it's making her a bit windy.

I don't think her case is extreme, she has her happy moments and doesn't scream all day, but she's generally a bit grisly and miserable, and I'm wondering if I should be doing more to help her rather than trying to wait it out.

The GP told me the next steps would be omeprazole (sp?) and possibly testing for CMPA. I'm not sure whether to pursue these or wait it out. Does anyone have any experiences to share? Is it likely to get worse or better? Would you wait it out or medicate?

Another GP I spoke to said CMPA seems unlikely as she's been having cows milk protein since the early days and this only stated at six weeks. She doesn't react to every feed either and her nappies seem normal. The HV told me genuine allergy is rare so also seems to think it's unlikely.

I'm desperate for an answer though to what's causing this. She did have a tongue tie, could that have contributed? Any other ideas what might be causing it or what I could try?

She was only breastfed partially in the early days due to the tongue tie so has been on Aptamil since she was small, with no issues to begin with.

Thanks for any advice. The idea of a year or more of this is getting me really down.

Sorry you’re going through this. My DD is 8.5 months and has had reflux since she was 5 weeks old so I know what you’re going through. Gaviscon helped, she’s still on it now but I agree, it makes her very windy.

Have you tried an anti-reflux milk? They also do a milk thickener called carobel which may work better? It didn’t work for my DD sadly; it made her very windy and didn’t stop the sick but I’ve heard it’s worked for lots of babies.

I have to children and both had/have reflux caused by CMPA, DC1 had no more reflux after we cut out dairy but DC2 still has it

Signs that it could be caused by an allergy include:

• digestive issues, things like gas, wind, constipation or diarrhoea, mucus in stools, green, frothy and/or foul-smelling stools
• eczema, rashes, etc

And other things. There is lots of helpful info including a list of the main symptoms at www.allergyuk.org/information-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/469-cows-milk-allergy If you read through all that and you're sure it's not CMPA, fine. But if you're not sure and still have a nagging doubt, it would be a good idea to try cutting dairy and see what happens. You would need GP to prescribe a hypoallergenic formula, and if you're also breastfeeding, cut dairy out of your own diet.

If it's "just" reflux not caused by CMPA then there are a few basic things that will help:
Keep baby upright as much as possible and especially after feeds
Tilt the crib/cot or get a wedgehog so baby is not completely flat when sleeping

My DD is 4 months old so a bit older than yours and we've been using the bouncer a lot. She does like the playmat but can sometimes be sick and generally refluxy when she is lying on it, so I have to time it carefully (never straight after a feed).

We have been trying Colic Calm after a friend recommended it, we give it in the evening when she's refluxing and distressed, it does help her to calm down and settle.

We haven't given DD any meds yet. With DC1 they didn't make a massive difference tbh, although they do help many babies of course. I would just prefer to see if we can manage without before resorting to meds.

How's the sleep? That's the killer for me.

@Vicky1989x thanks, has yours got any better? The idea of months ahead like this is tough. Does it get any better? I haven't tried anti reflux milk but I want to, the HV keeps telling me it's a con though. I am really tempted but not sure if I need to get the GP to ok it first?

Thanks @NameChange30 she doesn't have the typical CMPA symptoms other than reflux so I'm not sure, but if it continues I might try the special formula. We do the keeping her upright, tilted cot etc. I'm also trying to avoid any more meds but it's a tough juggle between seeing them in pain and knowing whether you should take action...

Oh sorry @NameChange30 sleep isn't great but she is only 10 weeks so not sure if it's normal. She can do 3-4hrs but doesn't consistently.

@Trufflepuffpuff the anti-reflux milks are thicker so stops them bringing milk back up.. but it can make some babies constipated. My DD’s reflux is a bit better now, but when I tried weaning her off the gaviscon she started projectile vomiting so she still needs it for now. Does yours finish her bottles? Mine used to refuse after 2oz so I tried a faster teat and it helped even though everywhere I read kept saying use slow flow but it made her more windy!

@Vicky1989x she always used to but recently has been falling asleep or refusing, I've tried a faster flow and she seems a bit overwhelmed but maybe will try again. We're using Dr Browns which are pretty slow anyway...