could it be reflux?????

[percy]

Just hoping for a bit of advice - ds2 is now 18 days old - putting on weight and feeding well most of the time.

However, for about the past week (maybe a bit longer???) he gets really distressed over a couple of feeds per day (no set pattern). He bobs on and off the breast but yet seems frantic to latch on. Things are getting worse and tonight he spent the best part of 2 hours inconsolably crying in what i have interpreted as pain (high pitched constant crying). He is very rigid, pulling his legs up and arching his back. But on top of this, he sometimes appears to be gagging and tasting something unpleasant - and is obviously in pain. I think he tends to be better when held upright.

I already posted on a breastfeeding thread earlier this week, and a couple of replies suggested wind. I'm confused - a friend suggested he may be developing reflux - which usually develops at around 3 weeks apparently. Any ideas????

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Could be reflux. It can be 'ordinary' type where baby is being 'sick' as well as having pain, or 'silent' type where baby is not being sick but is getting a lot of pain (burning sensation).

Two of my sons had reflux (one ordinary, one silent)when I was b/f them. What you describe sounds familiar. If reflux, then baby probably does prefer being upright. With my first son, I had to keep him upright in his car seat after every feed - he even slept in it some nights - as this eased the problem.

Check your concerns with your HV. She/he should be able to advise you. May need some medication eg infant Gaviscon and or Carabel.

Hope this is of help. It really can be hard to distinguish between wind/reflux/colic at that age. If needs be, reflux can be checked out at hospital by doing a barium meal test. Both mine had this done.

thanks for both these posts - i don't think it is colic as it can happen at any time of day really. I will continue to keep him upright as much as possible - bought one of the baby bouncing chairs yesterday for this purpose.

Bit confused about one point - if he had reflux would he not be in pain after every feed, or is it just some feeds????

butterflymum - my friend is a doula and also thinks this sounds like reflux. i have made an appointment with a paediatrician - just wondering what this barium meal test involves and will they be able to carry it out on a 3 week old???

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I can only imagine, as Robinw said, that the barium is unpleasant to drink, as I have not experienced it personally. However, as I said, both my sons had it done (one of them at about two weeks old) and I helped feed them the mixture (made up in a hospital baby bottle with the teat cut to let mixture through more easily) then held them for the X-rays. I have no memories of either of them been overly upset and do recall the staff involved being more than helpful. The test is conclusive and you are not left wondering 'is it Reflux or not'(as can be the case if you are just prescribed medication). Anyway, your Paediatrician will only send baby for the test if he/she really thinks it is needed - they don't like causing undue upset either.

Best wishes and do please post outcome.

PS
Baby bouncer chair is a good idea. We used one as well to alternate between it and car seat (to keep baby more comfortable). As I mentioned, my first son had to spend quite some time in the semi-upright position each day/night. Raising head of cot can help if baby does not need to be kept more upright.

Quick question... my 12 week old is on Gaviscon for reflux... does it matter if she has one or two sachets per feed? She has been prescribed 2 but not sure if this is too much.

have a 12 week old baby who is really distressed with reflux. he is becoming really sleep deprived and crabby as a result.Any suggestions as to things that may help would be gratefully received. he is on gaviscon and elevating the cot matress made no difference