Is this reflux? I'm a new mum and SO confused!

[ccrb]

My five-week old son is presenting the following symptoms:
A very bloated, rock hard and distended stomach, immediately after every feed and at other times too. He screams, arches, stretches and tries to kick and scratch his tummy. It's worst after the night feeds and he takes forever to settle.
During the day he has lots and lots of hiccups, won't lie down flat, possets clear-ish milky liquid with milk curds, snuffles and snorts like a pig and has a 'bubbly' mouth.
Is this reflux? Or colic? My GP isn't being very helpful.
Poor little poppet us miserable and I can't seem to do anything but cuddle him.
Thanks! x

The possets, arching, not lying flat and bubbly mouth all sound like reflux.

The bloating sounds and snorting sound more like allergies. Are you breastfeeding?

It's possible yes. Make sure you wind regularly during feeding and tilt the cot mattress. Keep upright for 20 minutes after feeding.

What did the GP say? Some GPs are very unhelpful when it comes to reflux saying 'they'll grow out of it' or 'he's putting on weight'. None of which are helpful when you have a miserable baby.

My DS has reflux and we were given gaviscon at 8 weeks. It helped but made him very constipated and we eventually got ranitidine which he's still on aged 2 (so they don't all grow out of it!).

Have you spoken to your health visitor? Or can you see a different GP?

Sounds like allergies and reflux. GPs arent great! Ask for referral to paediatrician at the hospital and dietician referral especially if you are breast feeding x

Could it be a cow's milk protein allergy/intolerance? I think reflux can often be related to CMPA. Is he breastfeeding or bottle feeding?

Tongue tie could also be a factor here.

DS1's belly used to be distended. I had no idea what was going on at the time, but looking back, he was swallowing down a load of air because of his posterior tongue tie.

Mention of it here in article by world leading expert Dr Kotlow

Definitely worth having an expert check. That expert is unlikely to be your GP/HV though

Agree it makes me think of cows milk protein intolerance - mostly in formula babies, but can sometimes be seen in breastfeed babies if mum's on lots of dairy.

Thanks everyone! Only just worked out how to view replies! He is breastfed apart from one bottle occasionally for the 11pm feed - certainly not every day. I consume almost zero dairy.
He starts to cry and bloat DURING feeding, scratching and kicking at his tummy and squealing in pain with every few gulps. I can't bear it.
Gaviscon no help unfortunately…
x

Agree that there could be a few different reasons and tongue tie could well be one of them. It's certainly worth contacting a Lactation Consultant who specialises in tt and getting it ruled out. Details of how to contact one are in the article.

There is some good information on Cow's Milk Protein here and on intolerances in bf babies here.

I'd take Lo back to the GP and insist on a referral and contact a lactation consultant.

If you need some extra support, the details of the bfing helplines are here.

Exactly like my baby all those weeks ago. Check out CMPA website and phone for dietician referral asap.
Good luck x

Hi OP, I know this was years ago but do you remember what happened? My son is 9 weeks old and has exactly the same symptoms 😢