Reflux or Allergy?

[EmLouise21]

Reflux or Allergy?
0 replies

EmLouise21 · Today 07:41
Hi!
I’m new here but would really like some advice, as I don’t know where to turn.

Baby boy is currently just over two weeks old. We are struggling with his feeds. He will drink his bottle happily, but as soon as he is finished he is miserable. He screams out, goes red and tenses, does some strange grunts and occasionally brings milk back up, or it is in his mouth. Yes he is putting on weight, but he is just not happy. After his feed it takes a long time to get him to sleep and then he will sleep
for a maximum of an hour before waking up screaming again and nothing settles him apart from a bottle, which then starts the cycle again. Tummy time or quality time just aren’t happening as he’s too upset. We have tried paced feeding, regular burping (which is difficult in itself), changed his milk, sit him up to feed and afterwards and nothing is working.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Please be kind, it’s taken a lot to post this here, when I feel like I’m failing him.

It sounds to me like he's having some silent reflux as well as the spit up. The being unhappy after a feed but the wanting another feed soon after is very silent reflux! The first feed triggers the reflux and discomfort but the act of drinking soothes the discomfort but starts the cycle again. It can cause comfort eating.

Reflux can be a problem in its own right, especially at 2 weeks old, it can be caused by cmpa and you can have both. At this point I think I would start with the reflux angle. Small paced feeds are better, holding upright for at least 30+ minutes after a feed a must although my daughter had to be permanently held either upright or in the position she fed in and don't stress about tummy time on the floor right now. Tummy time can be any time they are on their tummy with the option of lifting their heads so having them against your chest with you sat up counts and can be a great position to help with the reflux too.

The next step would be to discuss thickening the milk. You can get infant gaviscon on prescription and the theory is that if the milk is thicker it can be harder for it to come back up. The down side to this is the milk is thicker all the way through the digestive system and it can cause constipation. There are also anti reflux formulas which are formulated to be a bit thicker. If thickened milks don't help the next step in treatment would be something like omperazole which reduces the acidity of the stomach. It means that when the milk is refluxed it doesn't cause as much discomfort. I'd also look into a tongue tie assessment at this point too as it can trigger reflux as it causes them to swallow more air. It's probably around this time that cmpa would be considered and potentially a trial of hypoallergenic formulas. The first formulas are still dairy based but the dairy proteins are partially broken down as that can be enough for the body to not recognise it as dairy.