Reflux or is this 'normal'?

[GruffaIo]

DC1 is five weeks old (born via ELCS at 38 weeks for maternal health reasons). I'm not sure what's relevant, so will try and cover everything! He was 8.5 lbs at birth, and 10.5 lbs at 4 weeks. He's bottle-fed as I couldn't produce anywhere near enough milk - very upsetting, but it is what it is, and I couldn't express anywhere near enough to keep any kind of supplementation, though I tried.

Since two weeks, he's been screaming a lot after meals in addition to the regular strained, pained faces when processing. MIL stayed for two weeks, and thought he was in pain a lot, but it was normal. When we saw the HV at 4 weeks (first appointment she could attend since birth!), she saw him in action feeding and screaming and was quite alarmed and said 'reflux, see GP'. GP saw us that that and, without examining baby at all, and based on us describing his behaviour, prescribed infant Gaviscon. We tried it that night, into the next day and it was awful - even more screaming and obvious pain, so we stopped.

Where I'm at now is trying to work out whether his screaming and crying is 'normal', and the HV overreacted, or whether we need to push for better treatment. This morning is typical example of how our days go. Fed at 8am, held him upright till 8.45am. Had to briefly put him down to give a dog medication (time sensitive, and it should have been given at 8.30), during which time he threw up most / all of his meal. Spent 30 minutes cleaning and changing him, changing bedding, etc. Then he's hungry again. Feed him and hold till 11am as screaming throughout, and hiccuping at various points. Wonder if he's hungry so, as bottle ran out, have to run to get a new one, which he then doesn't really want, but just wants to be held. Eventually put him down, and he leaks milk (more than posseting), but basically settles and is now asleep.

Basically, if he's not asleep, he's feeding or screaming, and very rarely awake and not agitated or in pain. Is this normal? If it is, that's fine, but I just want to make sure we're not letting him down by not pursuing things with the GP (though we'd probably ask for a doctor who will actually examine him!) / asking for a referral.

It might be a cows milk allergy. Youc could try changing formula. It really does sound like reflux though. Some babies don't take well to the Gavison - my DS got constipated an it was awful! If you go back to the doctor and say the Gaviscon didn't work, they may prescribe Ranitidine. My LO had it and ddn't take to it well. But others have said its worked wonders.

Thanks for the reply.

When I said 'if so, that's fine', I really meant I'd find a way to cope, but it just seems like holding him for 18 hours a day to feed, try and soothe the screaming, and prevent the throwing up even when asleep, just isn't right. And he must be in such pain. He wakes himself up screaming and just throws up in his sleep.

He also hasn't settled into bigger meals, and I wondered if the pain was part of that - like he knows to self-regulate how much to have with each meal? But it does mean there's literally no time between the end of each meal (if you include winding and settling) and the start of the next.

I wondered if the adverse reaction to Gaviscon meant it wasn't reflux as it wasn't just that it did nothing but that he screamed for almost 6 hours straight. It was really horrible, and both me and DH were in tears with it.

I'll mention it to the GP and see if we can try something else.

No it doesn't sound normal at all. We had similar issues with DD (now 9) and infacol really helped.
I would definitely be pushing it further with the GP.

Honestly I know exactly what you are going thru...My DD had the exact same problems.If it was reflux it was constipation from the Gaviscon.I had to bring her to the out of hours gp and they prescribed me a bottle of lactulose solution and I changed her to the Hipp organic comfort milk.Every time I would feed her I made sure she wasn't lying down straight after,as the milk needs to settle in her belly and made sure she was winded properly.Then when she could lie down the GP said to put a cushion under her head so she wasn't lying flat as it can upset her reflux.My DD is now 4months as is soo much better.I use 1 sachet in her bottle now and doesn't need the lactulose anymore.Hope any of that was useful ❤️

@MyBambi, what pillow did you buy? I was looking for one for his change mat as he's almost guaranteed to throw up no matter how the change is timed in relation to feeding.

I'd say reflux/cows milk allergy.
Are his poos normal? Any rashes?

Some gps will prescribe thickened "staydown" milks or carobel to add to normal formula.
Medications such as ranitidine don't stop the vomiting, it stops the pain from the acid.

Unfortunately from my experience, they only take you seriously if baby doesn't gain weight well. But if your lo is in pain I would push for a referral to a paediatrician/dietician.

I have a heart shaped cushion,it fit perfectly into the Moses basket ☺️ It will get better..how long you are using the gaviscon?

Sounds like reflux / milk allergy
After trying gaviscon the doctor should give you ranitidine and if that doesn't work omeprazole.

You could try to get a second hand babocush (v expensive new) and I found a swing and vibrating chair helped too.