Reflux in one-mont-old baby?

[angel1976]

Hi,

I used to take DS1 to the baby clinic religiously when he was little and swore not to do that to DS2 as all it did was stress me out about DS1's weight (he is now 21-month-old and perfectly healthy!). So please tell me if I should go get a second opinion on this tomorrow at the baby clinic. DS2 is now 4.5 weeks old and has occasionally thrown up his feed, which I know is perfectly normal. He is bottle-fed from one-week-old (don't ask: tongue tie, supply issues due to pituitary tumour etc...). He was last weighed at about 3 weeks old and had put on 11oz so all was well. However, in the last week and a half, the vomiting episodes have increased... He is otherwise a really easy-going baby, sleeps a lot so I am not sure at all if I should be worried. Yesterday, he vomited twice and once so far. However, today's episode worried me as he looked like he vomited the feed he just had (watery milk) and the previous feed (curdled milk plus mucus). His 'symptoms':

• Vomiting loads once or twice a day (even 3x one day)

• Usually curdled milk + mucus

• Does this 'heaving' thing several times before vomiting so I can usually 'catch' his vomit with a container or cloth

• Lots of hiccups after feeds

• Difficulty bringing up wind and lots of wind the other end too!

• Has a runny nose from birth (midwife told me it was leftover mucus from birth)

• Several times, he has had crying episodes where it looks like he was in pain but this doesn't happen often - maybe twice in the last week?

• Only takes about 2.5 oz each feed. If I try to give him any more, this usually ends up with him gagging and throwing up so I don't force the issue anymore. But last night, he seemed to be cluster feeding (do bottle-fed babies cluster-feed?). From 7-11pm, he had 6oz in 3 intervals...

• Once or twice, he actually had milk coming out of his nose but I have to say, he doesn't seem upset by these major vomiting episodes.

Does this sound like reflux? Should I see the health visitor or make an appointment with the GP? Any ideas? He's weeing and pooing normally otherwise. He's on Aptamil, should I try switching formula? I really don't want to take him to the baby clinic unless I have to (I can feel the obsession with my baby's weight coming back! Argh!) Thanks!

Hi I am not sure, it could be mild reflux as all babies are different, some of the signs are there. But usually they will only treat the reflux if the baby is very irritable or loosing weight. All babies have some reflux. My DS (12 months) has reflux. He is on two medicines for it and has been in hospital a few times with it. His symptoms began at about 2 weeks old and were gagging and choking alot of the time, after feeds mainly. He stopped breathing and was in hospital once, it was terrifying. He also didn't sleep at all at night (was terrible) especially if lay down, he screamed arched and hiccuped violently all night long and most the day. he fed small amounts every 1-2 hrs 9breastfed till 11 months) He was so miserable and screamed all the time he was awake. We can hear the reflux coming up but he isn't really that sick as he swallows it (silent reflux). DS has not lost weight luckily but is very hard work and demanding 24/7.

My older 4 all had some of the signs you mention but as they were not miserable all the time i think they were just 'happy spitters'.

Worth talking to the HV/GP in any case. Good luck.

Thanks jellybeans. I spoke to a friend who used to be a pediatric nurse and she said it does sound like mild reflux but not to worry about it unless it was projectile vomit. DS2 only threw up once today and it was a fairly small amount so I will try not to worry. Will take him to the baby clinic to get weighed next week just to make sure he is growing fine. It does sound like if DS2 has reflux, it's only mild compared to your DS - that sure sounds like hell! I hope he is better soon...

Thanks angel, glad you spoke to someone and feel reassured. It has been really hard as he is number 5! Still we are so grateful he is here as have had really difficult pgs and losses before him. Hope your DS keeps growing well and stops being sick.