Newborn with reflux advice - Breastfed

[Sweetpea1989]

Little one is 15 days old. HV and myself are both pretty sure she has reflux, symptoms are getting worse each day. I’m just awaiting GP to get back to me but has anyone got any first hand advice?

She absolutely hates sleeping on her back. Writhes and arches all night, I have tried propping her Moses basket, how high should I prop it?

She is getting more and more fussy on the breast and regulary vomits her entire stomach contents up, it’s stressful to see!

Any help or advice appreciated :)

We used infant gaviscon for a while but it made very little difference until my baby went on dairy free formula, turns out the reflux was caused by CMPA.
You could try going dairy free for a few weeks and see if it improves?

Mine has reflux too but silent reflux. I keep her upright for a while after feeds and also make sure to burp her (ignore the books that say breastfed babies don't need burping, not true!). I think it's mostly a case of waiting til their digestive system matures and their sphincter muscle is stronger. Sometimes there is a more serious issue so do get seen by the GP. Best of luck

Advice will depend on who's giving it to be honest as everyone is different but what worked for mine was:
1.i became a bloody expert! Found out that many HVs and GPs talked rubbish once I'd read round the subject.

1. I breastfed - if you can't or don't want to please don't worry, it'll be fine so this is NOT any form of guilt trip BUT it tends to be easier on them physically. + They will vomit formula too so that is not the solution it's cracked up to be.
2. Fed on a roster so eg once every 90 minutes or whatever the schedule should be (I can't remember) because reflux babies cry a lot so it can be assumed to be hunger; but actually if you keep feeding constantly, they're just in pain constantly so you get into a bit of a vicious circle.
3. Put down in cot with top half at 45 degrees. You can get special cushions online.
4. Once put in cot, don't keep getting them up to 'comfort' them if crying, as that just moves all the acids around. Keep them still to the extent you can.

6.after a feed, kept baby upright ish or at least 45 degrees for the same amount of time. Don't bounce them up and down. 7.if you can bear it, not too much cuddling. A lot of reflux babies hate it. 8.Follow your instincts. Everyone gives you unsolicited advice about babies, especially ones that scream a lot, but only you can gauge what's best.

1. Try not to stress. It's so so hard to deal with but one day you'll turn round and realise that it's passed! Also please don't get stressed about the weigh-ins and charts and whatever. If YOU are worried, push for help, but if YOU know in your heart of hearts that baby is OK (other than the screaming!) be confident in the approach you choose to take.

10.wean early. Mine was also on 2 meds but I won't say them in case advice has changed. Good luck.

There's a Facebook group I found quite useful. Babies with reflux and silent reflux. DS had/has reflux but luckily seems to be outgrowing it now. He's formula fed so I can't help with breastfeeding sorry. We found that infant gaviscon did help us but I think it's a bit trickier to give if baby is breastfed so something else might work better for you.

Are they happy before/after they puke or upset?
Have you tried holding them upright for 30 mins after a feed. During the day you can do this in a sling.

DD was breastfed and had silent reflux. Honestly, it was hell, you have my complete sympathy.

Ranitidine was a wonder drug for us but I think it's hard to get ATM. What helped me with the GP:

• stressing that it wasn't a laundry issue, she was in pain and not sleeping more than 20 minutes at a time
• we tried gaviscon first but couldn't get it into her so we needed a GP who understood the reality of breastfed babies who don't take a bottle.

We did the holding upright after a feed for an hour, so at least she slept then even if we didn't (take turns). We tilted the crib but I think she hated that tbh. She did sleep much better in the bouncer but I hated that as it's against the safe sleep guidelines.

Thanks everyone,

I’ve popped a book under the Moses basket, she still hates it and writhes around all night, so hard as she just hates sleeping on her back, on me or in a sling/car seat no issues but all against guidelines.

I’m feeding her upright, making sure head is above her tummy, lots of winding and making sure she’s upright for a while after feed.

I’m deffo thinking about cutting diary out as it’s a simple fix on my behalf.

She’s on folic supplement for 3 months from the hospital, now we have oral thrush so 2 x daily meds for that, really
dont want a third medication to give to my tiny baby :( needs must though.

I gave up dairy but it made zero difference. I found infant gaviscon helped (I syringed it in) but it took a week or so to kick in.
I held my dc upright for 30 mins after every feed. It was brutal but the only thing that minimised the screaming and being projectile sick.