reflux, colic or something else!

[dizzynurse]

My 1 month old DS has been unable to settle on his back since day one. The gurgling/congested noises at birth were put down to mucous etc but 1 month later he still has it. Once on his back, whether it be in moses basket, reclining bouncy chair or even nappy changing, he lasts around one minute before going totally nuts. At night (typical) the gurgling starts after a minute or so (sounds like he is drowning) then starts screaming in agony for the next few hours (has been up to 8 hours). Arching his back, throwing himself around and breaking out into a sweat with the effort of screaming. This now sounds like an adult cry, very pitiful. We started with infacol, then Gaviscon (but this makes little difference). he is breastfed but wants feeding every hour or so, especially during the night. We have tried everything, wedges, propping the basket up, propping him on his side and even on his tummy. The only way he will settle is on one of us, sat up in bed (or wherever). We are waiting for a referal but am worried something is being missed. Its not fair that he has to suffer so much pain for so long. Anyone had any experience?

Yes! I had similar with DD1. So much of what you have written sounds like reflux and if it is then poor wee thing, no wonder he is unhappy as it is so uncomfortable for them.

My DD's reflux was resolved pretty quickly by my shining star of a Cranial Chiropractor, who is local to us in SW London.

What area are you in? I'd recommend finding someone similar in your area and getting in there asap.

Call them up first and ask loads of Q's if you're unsure. They should be more than happy to tell you about their experience and whether what you describe sounds like something they can help you and your DS with. Julian Keel is the person we went to. His website is worth a look to get a feel for what it's all about and to see what to look for in your area: www.barnes-chiropractic.co.uk

Hi, we are using a cranial osteopath and had 3rd session today. Have not noticed any difference so far, am I just impatient? Any tips for surviving the nights?

my DS was vastly helped by 2 meds: rantiadine (an antacid) and domperidone (helps move the milk through the gut more quickly)

after a week or so it was like having a different baby

let him sleep propped up/wherever he can settle for now

hope you can get a quick referal

if you are bf, be aware that dairy products in your diet may increase his disconfort. For me this is a typical case of reflux, and it will only get better with proper medication, and before giving you the ones that works, the docs will first give you the soft ones, like ranitide, domperidon, gaviscon.
Don't wait. Go to your GP, insist, insist, insist for medication. try again making him sleep on his tummy one afternoon while you're sitting next to him and rubbing his back. yes I know you should never put a baby on his tummy, but it eases the pain in reflux babies. but do put him on his tummy before he is upset, otherwise it will be worse.
buy a baby bjorn, and wear your baby. call a friend, a baby sit, and get an hour of fresh air.
Try to distract him.
It will get better one day

Hi dizzynurse

Sorry for slow reply.

Have your co sessions had any effect yet?

If they're not helping with the reflux I'd really urge you to book in with a cranial chiropractor who is experienced in treating babies instead. My cranial chiro says that reflux is often one of the toughest challenges to treat but nonetheless he does get very good results and its a great relief for the baby - and the parents (as was the case for my dd1 and us!). He told me that in reflux babies he often finds there to be neck issues that he needs to treat as well as the cranial stuff. Neck probs are something a cranial chiro would look for but not necessarily something a cranial osteo would be looking at/dealing with. Depends on the individual practitioner though but that might be the difference. Can you find a cranial chiro nearby and go there instead? I'd really recommend it rather than medication which doesn't solve the actual problem just covers up the symptoms, and also in some cases just 'moves' the problem into a different part of the digestive tract.

For evenings and nights I'd definitely stick with the propping up idea. For a few evenings, until it was all resolved, we used to build up an incline under a big pillow and have dd1 asleep on the sofa between us during the evening. Then often by the time we went to bed she was OK to be laid down. We also had an Amby Natures Nest baby hammock as her bed for the first 3 months and the angle of that is really good for reflux as the head and upper body are held in a very gentle incline. Its a gorgeous bed too. And easily portable. We even took it on holiday when dd1 was a newborn.

Also the homeopathic remedy aethusa. Helpful for reflux. Good people to call are Helios 01892 537254. You can speak to a homeopathic pharmacist over the telephone and explain the symptoms, childs age etc and they'll recommend whatever is appropriate. pay by card over the phone and they'll send by first class post. if you get drops try and get it in water and also ask for a teat so its easy to administer. if you get pillules remember not to touch them as not meant to touch homeopathic pills.

And like lory says, if bf try and see if anything you eat triggers bad episodes. Dairy, sometimes tomatoes, oranges - various things worth looking out for.

Best wishes for speedy comfiness

Thanks for all of that, useful stuff. CO not helped much as yet, but have pushed GP and have got a quicker paed appointment...tommorrow. Will go with open mind but determined not to be fobbed off. We guessing at Reflux as no-one been bothered to look at him up to now. It seems that as far as primary care are concerned, as long as he is puting on weight, feeding and producing wet nappies then theres nothing wrong! Will post update soon.

We were told after a week that DS had 'colic' and was advised to try Infacol. Didn't work so tried Colief, didn't work either. He's now 3 weeks old and we have done the following:

• One session at Cr. Osteo - some improvement I think
• Propped up his cot at head end - not mattress, as can bend, but actual cot
• I lie back as soon as I hear him 'gulping' when feeding as think my 'flow' is fast and increases his wind - this seems to help a lot
• I have started treatment for nipple thrush today as his probs feeding and wind seem to be related to that
• Leaving him to cry - seems like hours, but is actually 6 mins on average.

The last seems to be biggest improvement - we are still learning, so knowing whether he was hungry or, in fact, overtired have been tricky.

Am cross that MW was sooo quick to diagnose 'colic' (good info on wikipedia) which we thought was wind/indigestion and now I truly think it is not that at all.

Hope you find a solution soon as it is really upsetting to see them sad, isn't it?

My GP has just given us some infant Gaviscon. Only used it once, so not sure how sucessful the effects are yet. You can get it over the counter though and it is just added to bottles if you are bottle feeding. Very easy!

oh...just re-read the original post and saw that you've already tried this. Sorry for my useless advice!

For fear of being a stuck record (not that anyone really has records anymore!), if you can go for cranial chiro rather than cranial osteo I'd make the switch. Best wishes for a useful paediatrician appt x

Appointment with paed registrar today, agreed its probably silent reflux & possibly slightly constipated?? Started Ranitidine and have follow up in 4-6 weeks. Thanks all for your advice, taking it all on board. Will look into chiro. 2 1/2 hours sleep in one go last night with the big man on his tummy (all wrong I know but hey it worked!)