Experience of Carobel and reflux

[SadieClover]

Hey my LO has awful reflux and has since started on carobel for the second time (last time we only gave it a week due to it causing very loose nappies) and after one day his nappies have got bad again and more frequent than usual, it’s also given him terrible wind, I know these are common side effects to carobel but it really helps his reflux..does any know if these symptoms symptoms will get better with time or if I should take him back of it. Thank you😊

My daughter has cmpa and in addition to other allergies she was allergic to the carob in carobel! Have you looked into cmpa it can be the reason behind reflux

We used gaviscon and omperazole for the reflux. When she was little she also needed lactulose for the gaviscon related constipation. She later ended on domperidone too as she has particularly stubborn reflux

Agree that it sounds like your LO might have some symptoms of CMPA.

Which milk are they on now?

Hi @Superscientist
He hasn’t been diagnosed with CPMA but he has been prescribed Aptamil Pepti 1. We’ve noticed an improvement with his nappies once he moved to this. The problem we have, because the formula is so thin, it seems to make his reflux worst 😔 Feels like whatever we try, we can’t win! He’s being referred to the tongue tie clinic to see if that could be part of the issue

Hi @CadyEastman , he is currently on Aptamil Pepti 1, but it’s so thin so seems to be aggravating his reflux :(

Yes you need a thickener especially if you move to an amino acid formula.

Other options are gaviscon, magic mix and thick'n'easy. We stuck with gaviscon after a reaction to carobel. We had been on gaviscon but couldn't find a minimum amount we could give her without causing constipation. The combination of gaviscon and high dose omperazole made a huge improvement so we accepted lactulose on prescription to help with that. It's very mild and we used it for about 2 months since then she has been on gaviscon without it impacting her stools. In fact hers are loose if anything. She was on 9 sachets at one point. One with every breastfeed in the day which was a right faff. It's much easier with formula!

It might be worth looking into omperazole if the reflux doesn't improve. When my daughter is on the right dose it's brilliant for her unfortunately she has to be right at the top dose but she has particularly stubborn reflux - she's 3 and still struggling which isn't typical just in case this panics you!