Has my baby got silent reflux?

[plannedshock]

Hates lying flat, feeds constantly, hiccups loads, trumps loads, sucks hands, irritable, constantly angry and fidgety, looks like she's got something horrible in her mouth, wants to be held, it really does sound like it doesn't it? What can I do it's breaking my heart?!

What age is she?
How is she being fed?
Any history of diagnosed reflux or milk allergy in either family?
How is her sleep?

But yes, she sounds like the classic symptoms. Only posting as loooong history of 3 children with same, and very very hard to get 1) diagnosis and 2) treatment. Tell us more!

She's 7wks breast fed exclusively no allergies or anything in family.
Sleeping is a nightmare, she's so exhausted will fall asleep if being held but as soon as she's put down she wakes and screams, now she's started crying even when she's being pushed in her carry cot. I feel so helpless because I can really see shes uncomfortable in her face

Have you tried infacol as it may just be trapped wind after a feed.

That was my first baby exactly.
If you do go to GP/hospital, you will be asking for a test on her stool sample to test for "reducing substances" (measures the amount of sugars I think, in stools, from effect of milk). It would be an idea to film her when she is in middle of cramping/screaming, because I PROMISE she will sleep FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER in the waiting room.
Keep a diary of her days, focusing on specifically:

1. her feeding
2. behaviour after feeding (crying, vomiting)
3. stools (runny, colour etc).
4. sleep (mine literally never slept, but unless it's written down it didn't happen!). 7 weeks is so young, plenty of time to get diagnosis and make sure you mind yourself.

PS I tried Infacol, Colief and winding etc, I believed every GP and HV who told me it as wind. But i never told them the full extent of the sleeplessness, vomiting, runny poos and constant feeding, so I now know that I should have been very clear, but the tiredness took over.
Can you tell this is a subject close to me!
It may well be wind, give the infacol a go. Trust your instincts though.

Is there any "tricks" to use in the mean time? I've got her cot elevated so far, I'm definately going to do a diary and maybe a food one for me to see if there's any link.

It could well be. Video a feed to show your GP. You will be offered infant Gaviscon which is PITA if you are bf. You can try it for a week (lo might get constipated) and if it doesn't work go back to the GP. You will be offered Ranitidine. Give it a week. If it doesn't work go back to the GP and ask for the next dose level. Give it a week. If it doesn't work go back to the GP and ask for the max dose. Give it a week.

At this point, you need a referral to paediatrics. Insist on it. The waiting list can be long so request an urgent referral. The paediatric consultant will be more willing to prescribe something stronger.

Other things that may help:
A sleeping wedge
A sling
Prop the cot at an angle
A pram that can sit at an angle
A bouncer/vibrating chair

If you are struggling to cope ask your HV to refer you to Home Start - the volunteers can take your lo out for a walk to give you an hour of sleep. Silent reflux is hell for everyone. Do what you have to do to survive.

DH & I had one (different) night away a month at friends so we could get a proper break. One night a week I drugged myself with Night Nurse to get a night's sleep. I rode the bus in a circular journey - DD slept in the pram and I slept with a pillow on the seat. Get a babysitter one night a week for a couple of hours - DH & I would drive to a layby and sleep, hug, cry, etc. as required.

It will get better. I promise. But, it is a long journey. Do what you need to do to survive.

In the meantime, cot elevated, so that's ok. Lots of winding after feeds. Partner to help, so if you can express and give a bottle then get some sleep that will help.
Infacol/Colief after feeds.
Make appointment with GP, with very clear request for further testing for milk allergy/reflux.

Stargirl, a fellow survivor...

Hi. My son had silent reflux and used to make terrible noises and shake his head from side to side a lot when lying on his back. I was really stressed about it and tried gaviscon, coiled, raising cot etc. the only way he would sleep soundly was on his tummy which I was obviously reluctant to do. As a result I was really exhausted and upset about it and asked for a referral to a specialist. By the time we got the appt he was 14 weeks and had grown out of it. The consultant said that often happens around that age so hopefully it will settle down.

Indeed, dontlaugh! My question is...what are the odds on two dc having it?

Do we dare try for another baby?!

Three of mine have it! I dare you....

So I'm in for the long haul!? I feel better knowing it is reflux because I was just getting pissed off thinking there's nothing wrong with you go to sleep!! Now I just feel awful! Did anyone cut any foods out?

Sounds like it to me!! My boy had severe reflux, and at 13 months still spits up sometimes.

Get a sling (I used a Caboo), that thing saved my sanity. Co-sleep too - I found that having baby's head elevated on my arm helped him to sleep. Bouncy chair was good too.

He was prescribed Gaviscon Infant which made him horribly constipated, so I stopped using it after 12 days. It did get slightly better when we began weaning - I started giving one-two teaspoons of fruit puree after a 'lunch' time feed at about 18 weeks, then built up to one/two spoons after every feed during the day. That really helped our boy. But, yours is only little, so don't do that yet!!

I used to co sleep with her literally on my chest (and we both slept) but everyone kept putting me off and then that recent article was sort of "told you so" and my partner became quite anti it, so haven't for a while. The no easy cure is a bit poo isn't it!!

Could be reflux. Could be milk protein allergy. Could be milk transfer/supply issue - too much or too little. Could be something else. Could be normal baby behaviour.

Not trying to be disingenious, honestly. What I think would be most helpful would be to see a lactation consultant for a full assessment. She, unlike the average GP, is more likely to have a clue IME :)

Unless of course there is any reason to suspect other illness or infection in your baby..... in which case it's
deffo the GP you need.
Been where you are - it's bloody awful, I sympathise :(

My baby has reflux and I found these forums very useful when going through it.

At 7 weeks old she started the cry all day every day. We started with gaviscon, then moved onto Ranitidine and then Omeprazole. Omeprazole has really worked and made us all happy. At 11 months old she is still on Omeprazole, but we no longer have to keep her upright for 30mins after each milk, have a wedge in the pram etc and she is a happy baby.

Just wanted to post something which may help another Mum with a reflux baby.