Silent reflux?

[kittencuddles]

In the last two weeks my 9 week old has developed what I think is silent reflex. Before I go to the gp tomorrow what do others think?

Screams/thrashes at breast
Wants to be upright
Hiccoughs
Irritable
Short spells of sleep during the day, crashes at night
Arching back/neck when feeding
Short, snacky feeding
Struggles with wind
Looks like she has a nasty taste in her mouth

TIA

Yes this does sound very much like it x

Could be. Certainly sounds similar to DS.
Does your GP listen? Just that mine was/is awful and it took a while to be taken seriously- we has to go private for 2 appointments to a specialist who then referred us back to the GP with instructions to give DS meds (gp has refused) and to refer DS to the specialist under the nhs. It was exhausting. Was originally told it was teething or that DS was 'just being a baby' - so incredibly patronising, I know I'm a first time mum but I'm not stupid and know when something is wrong. Sorry- venting!!

Find yourself a good GP if u don't have one - makes like a lot easier. DS didn't get the meds he needed until 7mo.

It does sound like it. DS' s reflux got much worse around 9 weeks.

There is a ladder of drugs for reflux starting with Infant Gaviscon. Unless the GP has a different diagnosis, you might want to insist on being prescribed the Gaviscon in the first instance- it is very mild, the worst outcome is likely to be that it doesn't help and gives your DC constipation.

IME HCP s are often pretty dismissive when it comes to reflux, particularly with first-time parents, so you may have to be really persistent. Good luck!

Spoke to HV who instantly said its silent reflux. She's sent us to the GP and has said to say she thinks its reflux and he should give us gaviscon. Fingers crossed!

Not all GPs are that dismissive! I am one with a special interest in baby feeding problems - my ds1 had severe silent reflux and feeding refusal and was in and out of hospital. But yes I do appreciate we vary in our knowledge and understanding of reflux in babies, unfortunately. I think it is only in recent years that we have realised how common it is. A lot of what used to be put down to colic and windy babies was probably reflux, and as there is medication which helps it is important to get an early diagnosis. If you're struggling with feeding and not getting anywhere fast, ask your GP for an urgent referral to Paeds, ideally a Paediatric Gastroenterologist. Gaviscon can help, but only in about 50% of babies with reflux. Ranitidine is the next medication which can be prescribed by your GP and is more effective. Most GPs don't feel comfortable with prescribing more than that and would want a Paediatrician to do that. My own personal experience with ds1 is to get on quickly with treatment and not hang about waiting for improvements that aren't happening - the longer we went on like that, the more he became scared to feed and developed a phobia of milk. Hope your GP is helpful - all the best.

Sorry mummy2benji- didn't mean to slag off the entire lot of nhs Gps. I agree- SR is little known, and it takes a while for things to filter through the system.

But...My GP was both patronising and obstructive, irrespective of lack of knowledge. It was a truly shit time, having to deal with sr and fight so hard for treatment.I wish I had complained about my treatment and my sons- instead I vent on mumsnet! Not productive and not particularly helpful to OP, who I'm glad to see has an hv on the case.

It gets better- though DS now still on omeprazole at 13mo

• we tried reducing it recently but didn't go well. However, he's symptom free on the meds and that's really what matters- drs say he'll get better in the next few months most likely.

Just in case- keep an eye on foods when you wean. Apples and citrus made things v uncomfortable for DS- exactly the foods you give babies during early days of weaning. From what I've read, different foods can cause issues for different babies. Just be aware.

Some good advice here, and it sounds like reflux.

I'm going to say what I always say here so please forgive me - but have you personally checked for tongue tie and lip tie? Both can be implicated in reflux and other issues and are incredibly common and often missed or dismissed. There are photos on google and some great websites.

My DD's upper lip tie and posterior tongue tie were spotted by me at 14months. I suspect we could have saved a lot of 'colic', chronic sleep deprivation, bottle refusing, food refusing, and misery if I'd known about it sooner