Reflux?

[Shatteredmom]

Hi, was wondering if anyone could offer any explanations other than reflux to my DS2 regular spitting up of his feed. He is 3 1/2 months and for the first 3 months was regularly feeding well and putting on 8oz a week. Since he turned 3 months he has suddenly started spitting up substantial amounts of his feed. He doesn't do it one go, or directly after he has been fed. It can gradually all come up over the space of 2 hours. As a result his weight gain has dropped off substantially (although he is still gaining - 2 oz per week). I have been reading about infant reflux and I am not sure whether this is what he has as he doesn't have the bad breath, obvious discomfort after feeding etc. In fact he seems fairly content. I have tried keeping him upright (doesn't work), keeping him at an angle (doesn't work that well), keeping him still (works, until I move him - be this 2 mins or 2 hours after the feed, then - spit up). I thought that infant reflux was supposed to get better at 3-4 months, not suddenly start. Any ideas? He is exclusively BF, but does have his final feed from a bottle (expressed). Thanks

I can't explain the spitting up starting so late other than asking whether you have changed your own diet at all? My DS had awful vomiting from birth and many of his symptoms were like you describe. I solved it by quitting all dairy myself. His vomitting stopped within two days. He is now 15months and adores yogurt and milk, but when he was tiny he couldn't cope. I wonder if this could help your DS too? (It wasn't hard to quit with Alpro soya milk/yogurt, goats cheese etc)

I don't know if your son could have reflux or not, but it often starts when babies are 2-3 months old, and peaks when they are 4-6 months.
Some babies are just happy spitters and as long as they continue to gain weight there is probably no reason to worry. If they are in pain (and it can be very painful and distressing) or stop thriving, then it needs attention and treatment.

Thanks for the advice ladies. Will try the dairy free and let you know how I get on. Not looking forward to cutting out chocolate though - boo!

Hi my DS has reflux. He is 15 months now but started with it pretty soon after birth. He was very irritable and miserable all the time he was awake and screamed for hours on end and choked constantly. We could hear the stomach contents splishing up his body. He is sick but usually swallows it (silent reflux).

He is on two medicines now to reduce the acid. He was bf till 11 months and we tried dairy free, no difference for us but worth a try. Reflux usually starts within first 2 weeks of life but can probably start anytime. If they are a 'happy spitter' they won't do anything unless they are loosing weight. Reflux usually goes away anywhere from 4 months to 12 months but for 5% can carry on like with my DS till toddlerhood and beyond.

Worth trying dairy free and keeping an eye on weight. Any worries and the HV/GP may try meds, you can use Infant Gaviscon while bf for example.

He isn't loosing weight, but he was gaining so well that an average of 2 1/2oz per week was a little alarming after the 8oz regular gain from birth. He seems happy enough most of the time but has always had touble swallowing air when feeding due to his snuffles. I don't think he has a serious problem with the reflux, which is why I was wondering if there was anything else that could account for the spitting/vomiting.

I think the growth does slow down at some point in first few months but not sure when. If he seems happy I would just keep close eye on weight, but could always speak to GP/HV if you have any worries.

Happy to report that DS appears to have an allergy rather than reflux as a lactose-free diet has dramatically reduced his spit ups. It is now what I would consider normal - worth considering if anyone has had a similar situation to me. I have just had to be careful that I have enough calcium.