7 week old boy diarrhea and relux. Help

[strawberrycake]

MY little boy has just been diagnosed with reflux and given baby gaviscon. He was at the point of almost refusing feeds. I can't give him the gaviscon yet though as he has awful diarrhea, bottles literally run through him as he eats them. Took him togp yesterday and sent on to a & e with him and he started to take enough milk to remain hydrated (probably one feed over the entire day in small amounts) so they sent him home.

I just feel awful. He's so uncomfortable and struggles to eat. It's a nightmare combination. The relfux causes pain and stops him eating after an oz then the bug causes belly aches and what he does take in runs (or explodes in a froth) out of the other end. The only time he's happy is asleep so I've been encouraging a lot of sleep, but it's in short bursts because of pain. There has been some progress, it's gone from yellow water to some solid bits and he managed a wee last night.

I feel awful. My husband and entire family are also away this week so I'm completely alone.

Any ideas for bringing him some relief?? A & E said just keep giving milk, but I wonder a little as I find milk is the worst think ever on an upset stomach.

I think your baby needs to see a paediatrician and get expert advice, it is not acceptable for your baby to find it so difficult to eat. Your GP should refer you to a paed.

I'm wondering if he has a cow's milk allergy or lactose intolerance, and he might need difficult milk. But this is for a doctor to decide.

In the meantime, speak to your health visitor for further advice and support.

Normal advice is to limit formula but continue to breastfeed. Given your ds is so young I think you need to see someone again asap. The diorrhea may well not be related to the reflux but one condition will not help the other and he needs to retain some fluids so it all needs careful monitoring. If he can't, as you seem to suggest, they may want to admit him again. Ring the ward where he was monitored yesterday and see if they can review him today.

Oh I wrote a huge reply then mumsnet crashed! argh. I'll copy this time.

He's perking up and started to eat 50/60ml (normally 140ml) every 3-4 hours. As I said though it runs out the other end as he eats.

I think they were less concerned as he's a very big baby who has previously gained weight very well. IT's built up and up to the point where he is refusing feeds and screaming when he spots a bottle, even before it gets to him. The paed in children's a & e (not a ward) didn't seem too concerned after he managed to eat a few oz (he hadn't eaten all day before that feed at 6pm). He's alert now and basically happy as long as nowhere near a bottle, That's not exactly sustainable though. Today he's managed since midnight 60ml at 5am and 50ml at 8am, which ran straight through. He was dehydrated at GP (soft spot down) but not a lot at A & E.

I can't breastfeed, milk dried up

I meant that as comparative advice. I'd still suggest you call again if you are n't happy he is keeping enough in. The situation with lo's (even "big" babies) can change very quickly so you need to react fast if he becomes lethargic and drowsy, has a temperature or starts vomiting.

I'm keeping an eye. Just had 30ml, though became very distressed (red, arching back, screaming, biting teat and shaking head) suddenly and refused more. Now has hiccups. Bottle stayed in for 10 min which is an improvement.

He is very sleepy, but I guess he's very tired after such a rough time. When he's awake he's alert.

Have you taken advice on what formual to use ? Maybe it doesn't agree with him esp if oyu changed over recently. You can get thicker formulas for refluxy babies to use instead of Gaviscon, may even be available on prescription. Alternatviely we used an powder called Thick n Easy (acts similar to cornflour) which is used in scbu's and thickens up milk.

It's always been sma gold, no issues at first. Tried a thicker milk but gave him constipation. I'm wary of changing while he's not well. I thought changing around can cause problems? Or should I give it a go?

I think you should speak to a hcp before doing so but they may be able to recommend something less rich while he is unwell. There may be soemthing in between he can tolerate better.

Hope he is feeling better today

speak to a dr, DD had reflux which was awful, but she never really lost weight. She was properly diagnosed at 8 weeks. There is a prescription formula you can get, for us it was life changing, she ate well and slept better. It was called Enfamil AR. It was thicker and could have given her constipation, we were told to give her a small amount of cooled boiled water before some feeds to help with that.

She was also on ranitidine and domperidone. We got some really good support from a paediatric consultant who helped us sort the problem

DS seems a lot better, more alert time but he's still refusing feeds. He'll have around 50ml often. He was having 130-40ml per feed until last week

Here's his feeds since yesterday:
7.15am-110ml
9.05am-40ml
10am-20ml
11am-100ml
3pm-70ml
6.30pm-60ml
11pm-100ml

( Total just over 16oz, the most yet this week, Tues in comparison was a total of 8oz)

Today:
7am-100ml
10.20-11.10am-70ml

It doesn't seem enough. He's 8 weeks and a bit over 11lb. He seems to be is lest discomfort, but more screams at the sight/ touch of bottle often. Could this be a learnt reaction from feeling ill? Tried a night feed by the way when he stirred at 2am but total refusal so let him go back to sleep.

What would you do?

Oh by the way I've tried:

different feeding positions
gaviscon for a fe feeds (seems to help as doesn't scream after the bottle, just during, milk doesn't flow up as he sucks plus will lay on his back)
Different teats
calm places
distractions
his favourite hairdryer noise (just dozed off)
feeding outside in fresh air