Reflux misery

[OhToBeASeahorse]

Just a vent really.
DD is 5 months. DH and I have noticed reflux symptoms for ages. We got omeprazole but she reacted badly so after a week we stopped. The dr said he really didn't think it was reflux so it was silly to give her strong meds. I phoned so many times he actually sighed.

But I cannot shift this feeling of guilt. She has so much saliva. You can hear her bring sick up (its more silent reflux). But she is generally happy. Since she was born I have:

Paid for 2 private tongue tie consultants (first said she didnt, then she failed to put on weight for 8 weeks, 2nd said she did and cut it)
Pumped 6 times a day for a month to reestablish my supply
Given up dairy and egg in case it was an allergy
Spent a fortune on fenugreek and been on domperidone
Had her weighed weekly to try to build her back up. She went from 50th to 9th and is now between the 25th and 50th.

I'm exhausted from worry and thinking and I feel like I've let her down.

Hopeful bump?

Are you still dairy free and have you seen a specialist or just your GP?

We had huge issues with reflux which didn't get sorted until we saw a Gastro specialist privately.

I'm still dairy free tho 2bh I dont think it is CMPA. I got referred to a specialist but the appointment was the week her TT got cut and I knew they would just say 'it will be the TT'

You are clearly very caring and doing all that you can for your child. None of this is your fault or something you should feel guilt over. Obviously you can't reason yourself out of feelings you didn't reason yourself into, but have you considered getting some psychological support for yourself? (may need to be done privately to get on a reasonable timescale sadly).

Although a proportion of babies respond to specific medical interventions for reflux, the main treatment is the passage of team - it is pretty much universally something babies outgrow, even ones where symptoms are severe. Certainly you are not letting your baby down.

You absolutely have not let her down! Reflux is one of things that just happens

My son (now 8 months) suffered with horrendous reflux from birth. He didn't sleep one night in his cot until around 5 months because as soon as he was flat on his back he would choke on his saliva or milk. We got him referred to a gastroenter who ended up prescribing lansoprazole. The lansoprazole did help but we didn't want him on it long term because it's unlicensed in children, although I've no doubt it's safe as his gastroenterologist wouldn't have prescribed it.

We noticed the biggest change at 6 months when we started weaning and I'm so so happy to say he is no longer on lansoprazole and is sleeping flat on his back all night! Like a PP has said the best treatment for reflux is time. Hang in there mama, you're doing great! Reflux isn't easy on you or baby and you're doing the best you can for her by getting the help you need. It seems like forever away but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel xx