When does posseting become "reflux" and do I really need to see a dr before giving dd Gaviscon?

[HeadFairy]

dd seems to bring up an awful lot of milk after a feed (she's bf) and seems distressed and in pain at times when she's trying to burp/bring up milk. I don't remember ds bringing up nearly so much after a feed.

Reading around most of the advice is that Gaviscon infant should only be given on the direction of a doctor or hv. Is that right?

I don't really know if dd is gaining weight since she was last weighed at 11 days (she's now 4 weeks) as I can't drive yet (had a cs) and the hv is a long way away. she's producing wet and dirty nappies though and seems to be gaining, but I can't say for sure...

Hi - My 6 week ds was prescribed Gaviscon yesterday for (silent) reflux. A lot of pharmacies won't sell it for a child your dd's age (unless you fib of course).

To be honest, my GP took the approach that she wasn't 100% certain it was reflux but there was no harm in trying Gaviscon to either rule it out or not.

Can your HV not do a home visit btw ??

Yes you need to see a doc. I didn't think you could get infant gaviscon without a prescription anyway? Or it's sold behind the counter. I wouldn't give it without medical advice.

In the meantime, can you feed little and often, keep DD upright for 30 mins post feed (spine must be straight), wind by rubbing (patting is worse) and keep pressure of her stomach (do up nappies loosely, only wear bodysuits).

My DS has reflux and those measures alone male some difference. His weight gain was perfect, nappies were fine - it was discomfort on bringing up milk which gave it away.

Whoops - typos galore! I have a sleeping DS in my arms

Infant Gaviscon is a pharmacy only product, so a pharmacist can sell it to you. However you may need to persuade them that you know this is the right drug for your DD.

If you can get to the Dr first, this would be best - to rule out any other cause of the posseting. You would also avoid paying for the stuff this way.

Have you tried Infacol or Gripe water? Some people find these effective. However others find it makes the discomfort of bringing up wind / posseting worse. They did not help my DD and she projectile vomited on Gaviscon (and became constipated).

I was able to drive 3 weeks after my CS. I thought I was going to have to wait 4 to 6 weeks, but my GP said I was OK and my insurance company said that they would be OK with whatever the GP said.

This is a useful website for symptoms and treatment of reflux.

headfairy the other possibility is that you have an over active letdown where your milk flows too fast. As a result baby takes in too much air and overeats. Symptoms are similar to reflux. Does your DD cough or splutter during feeds? If so, that is a possibility. Although you say your DS was fine? You can manage it by taking baby off just after letdown to catch the first gush then pop her back on. Also feed in a more reclined position with DD's head above her bottom I.e she's more upright. If you speak to NCT or Le Leche, they can tell you more.

thanks everyone, I've got a docs appt for 5pm today because I just don't know... It could well be a very fast letdown, she does often splutter a lot, like the milk has gone the wrong way, so perhaps she's taking too much down. The hv said reflux regurgitation usually has massive force behind it, and dd's doesn't usually. It's not exactly a trickle, but neither is it thrown across the room.

Hi Head me old mucker .

I had this with DS1 and he was WRONGLY diagnosed (by me after reading Gina Ford/Gogling symptoms etc. etc.)with refluz when through speaking to bf experts some months later, they suggested it was my fast let down. DS2 is such a guzzler he doesn't seem to have a problem with it so far

Gaviscon is a big hassle as you hav eto syringe it into their mouths before a feed whereas bottle fed babies can have it put in their bottles. I still feel guilty about giving it to DS1 when all he needed was some tips to cope with flow better. Ended up giving up at 3 months as he came to associate my boobs with his medicine .

Good luck and hope the tips for letting your DD cope with your milk work x

thanks blue. I'm fairly convinced now the fast let down is the problem. I've been feeding him in a more reclined position so that gravity takes the edge off the flow and it seems to have helped a bit. she's still bringing up quite a bit, but less than before, and she doesn't seem to be so distressed after a feed, I guess because she's taking down less air with it.

I don't think things are helped by her going through what I think is a growth spurt, she's spent the entire evening latched on tonight, and just had the biggest meltdown I've ever seen just because I took her off to change her nappy!!! She then guzzled like a loon, even though she's been feeding all night. I don't think I'm going to have any weight gain concerns with this one