Silent reflux cough... at a loss

[marlie1998x]

Has anyone had experience with their babys coughing with silent reflux? My little girl is 16 weeks and was diagnosed with silent reflux 4 weeks ago.

Her symptoms are:

● Mega fussy during feeding - squirms around
● Her whole body is totally stiff for hours after a feed
● Windy from both ends multiple times
● Dry cough now which results in her sometimes catching her breath and very congested

She is on infant gaviscon (started on Friday) after developing a horrible sounding cough 2 weeks ago. I've been to the docs 3 times and they've all said her chest is clear so it's looking like it's a symptom of the reflux. He has said if no improvement in a fortnight he will refer to the paeds for further advice and possible further treatment.

It's so horrible listening to her in pain. I have 3 other children and none of them ever had reflux so i am at a total loss!

She is currently on cow and gate - I've already switched her from kendamil. I have also ordered carobel so hoping this will work! Any advice is very welcome, thank you.

[Bayleaftree63]

I’m not a doc but my son had similar and eventually was diagnosed with a dairy allergy. Hope you get some answers x

[CadyEastman]

I was going to say that it sounds as though she might have CMPA too

[Nmvasey85]

@marlie1998x were in exactly the same position. It's awful and it's really distressing for us both.

We were prescribed infant gaviscon two weeks ago and it has made no difference. I'm keen to try omeprazole but the doctor has referred to the paeds for them to decide whether they're happy to us to try as he's only 5 weeks old.

With us it's as soon as you sit him up to wind him, he does this cough and 50% of the time makes this horrible choking sound where it really catches his breath and his eyes go red.

He's gaining weight so they aren't massively concerned but this can't be right surely. I'm not prepared to watch him go through that every feed, I'm thinking of taking him to a&e or an out of hours doctor via 111 if I don't hear from our doctor tomorrow.

In addition, He's congested and snuffley, quite irritable in between feeds (rarely relaxed), he was routing for food even an hour after feeding but that has subsided a little.

If you do get anywhere, please keep me updated.

Thanks x

[CadyEastman]

@Nmvasey85 have you cut out dairy if you're BFing or has the GP prescribed a milk suitable for babies suspected of having CMPA?

[Nmvasey85]

@CadyEastman we haven't get, the doctor did mention it yesterday but I've been more fixated on it being silent reflux and pushing for some medication. I did do some research last night and it could be he does have the cough and the congestion but doesn't have any rashes or explosive nappies which I hear about CPMA - or is that not always the case.

Any thoughts welcome! X

[Nmvasey85]

@CadyEastman were bottle feeding, using hipp organic

[CadyEastman]

I have CMPA and don't have any rashes, they aren't always present

There are two types of dairy allergy, there's IGE which gives immediate symptoms and non-Ige which is more delayed.

Allergy UK have a useful article on babies and dairy allergy here.

Usually reflux is a symptom rather than a diagnosis do the GO probably wanted you to try the milk to see if it is CMPA just to rule it out. CMPA is often diagnosed through elimination.

If his nappies aren't explosive, have you ruled out Tongue Tie?