EBF newborn reflux - caused by anti-biotics?

[Suite88]

I have a 3 week old baby boy who is breastfed and we are really struggling with reflux.

After feeding he is bringing up large quantities of milk. He is very hard to settle and cries a lot before, during, and after feeds, arching his back and kicking his legs. There is very little time where he is awake and not crying.

We've tried keeping him upright after feeds (we can but he cries if he is kept in one position). We are burping him regularly. We've also tried paced bottle feeding with expressed milk but he is still bringing it up.

I have been on antibiotics for two weeks (due to an infected episiotomy) and I finished them four days ago. They gave him an upset stomach - could they also be responsible for this reflux?

Any suggestions for things we could try would be very welcome.

Hi OP. Sorry you are struggling. Purely anecdotally, I have come across other breastfeeding women who feel there has been a link between the antibiotics they've taken and reflux or general colicky behaviour, that seems to improve once the course of medicine is complete. I know a couple of HVs whose opinion is that there may be a link. As I said, this is anecdotal, so don't quote me! It's a hard one, as relux and colic do generally start to become more apparent after a couple of weeks after birth and settle down again around the 3 month mark. So spitting patterns is not always easy.

How long do you have left of your antibiotics? Do make sure you complete the course, it's very important to do so. I'm sure you know that anyway. Fingers crossed your baby's symptoms will improve afterwards. Meanwhile, do you use a sling? This can help. And propping your baby up slightly for naps can also help.

The first few weeks are hard, especially with a baby with relux or other colicky behaviour. But it does improve, I promise. If you still notice bad reflux symptoms after your antibiotics are finished, it's worth chatting to your GP to discuss options that your baby can take to help x

Oh sorry, I see you've finished the course. Fingers crossed things improve now then!

Have you tried infacol? It makes it easier for him to bring up burps so it doesn’t turn into trapped wind.

Also, I use a timer for my breastfeeding (on the huckleberry app) and I’ve pinpointed how many minutes into a feed I need to finish the feed and burp by baby. If I do it too soon he doesn’t burp, and if I leave it too long he brings up a lot milk.

Writing out the above has made me a feel a bit neurotic, but it really has helped!

I think it’s unlikely to be related to the antibiotics, you’re probably just starting to notice it now he’s a few weeks old as he’ll be taking in more milk than before… that’s roughly when my baby’s started too.

It will get better, but I know how difficult it is. My baby’s improved a lot around 9 weeks.