Hi all,
First time posting on the world of mumsnet!
I'm a first time mum with an 11 week old son and I'm hoping some of you may have experienced something like the following...
My boy is formula fed due to me being on medication. Initially he started on Kendamil, he didn't seem to get on with this initially (now I'm thinking it was the bottle as we've swapped to MAM now) and we couldn't find consistent stock, so swapped to Aptamil. He then showed signs of colic, so upon the health visitors advice we swapped to aptamil comfort milk. This didn't seem to do him any favours either and he began to projectile vomit and cry badly after most feeds. A week or so on this, the health visitor recommended a trip to the GP as she said it sounds more like reflux. GP prescribed us gaviscon and said to go onto a normal first infant milk as gaviscon is also a thickener. We went onto HIPP after recommendation from my friend. This seemed to help initially. However a week or so later the projectile vomit came back along with crying after and during feeds and he was incredibly constipated. My sister suggested that it could be cows milk protein allergy due to him vomiting, crying, being constipated, and struggling to gain weight and having rashes. My son has always had a rash since being born, but I thought it was eczema as I suffer badly with it myself.
I decided to stop the gaviscon, go to the GP again where she prescribed as a hydrolysed formula - Aptamil Pepti 1. Again, for the first two weeks he improved. However, the vomit and crying came back with a vengeance and we were having scenes like in the exorcist! So, earlier this week I went back to the GP again where she prescribed Neocate, a completely dairy free formula. My son hates it, still cries badly and had two episodes of projectile vomit yesterday.
So my question to you all is, does he have cows milk protein allergy? Or does it sound more like a bad case of reflux? The only thing that has cleared up on the hydrolysed milk is his rash. He's been on prescription formula for just a little over a month now.
We have asked to be referred to a dietician, but in my area they only refer if baby is failing to thrive. My son is gaining weight, albeit slowly. He was born on the 91st centile and has dropped to just below the 50th now.
Me and my partner are thinking if it is reflux, do wean him back onto a cows milk formula (any reccomendations welcome) and go to the doctors and ask for reflux medication.
I am at my wits end with it. It's hard seeing my little boy uncomfortable and unhappy and I need to make it better!
Thank you and sorry for the rambling!