Silent Reflux and Breathing Issues

[ChrissasMissis]

Hi,

I've posted on here before about trying to get my new baby into a regular sleep routine. Unfortunately, this problem now seems to have been superseded by what our HV believes to be silent reflux (which would explain why he HATES being put down to sleep in his moses basket).

He is FF and we have been mixing Infant Gaviscon into his feeds, which along with a pre-feed dose of Infacol and lots and lots of burping, seemed to helping him - he began to cry less and sleep a bit more. That said, when he does sleep, he makes all manner of horrendous noises - it's a bit like something from "The Exorcist" (sorry - not meaning to be flippant).

However, two nights ago I woke up suddenly to realise he had stopped breathing. This has happened twice now and I am now literally terrified. We're off to see the doctor today, so hopefully, they can help him. I suppose what I'm really seeking is some advice and support from people who are experiencing or have experienced this with their own child. Does this pass? How to you cope with it without going completely dotty?

Please help! I am utterly fraught and haven't slept for two nights now, as I just cannot take my eyes off him for a second.

I would ask for a breathing monitor - good luck

let us know how you get on

Hey, OnlyWantsOne,

Thanks for your advice - we did have a night in the hospital last night and naturally, nothing happened! Which, obviously, is very good indeed, so am crossing everything that it is an isolated incident. He has been prescribed a couple of new medications to help with his reflux and we're off to get a monitor, so now all we need is for me to try and get on with things without getting obsessive. I really don't want to be a "Cotton Wool" Mummy!

xx

I don't think you're being a cotton wool mum. It's terrifying to think some thing could happen to your baby

At least your doc is taking you seriously. I have an angel care monitor and highly recommend it.

Hi, we had this - same thing. I noticed it in dd's first week and asked doctors and researched on the internet. The apnoea is associated with reflux in some babies, it is also normal and shouldn't be a cause for concern - though it was for us and would be for anyone I think. The fact that they stop breathing but start again means their systems are working. I watched my baby sleeping for hours on many nights, even accidentally woke her up checking if she was breathing or not occasionally. Yes, she grew out of it by 4 months, but it's not fun. As for sounding like the exorcist - I recorded her breathing on my iPhone on 2 separate occasions. My GP was totally not interested (he didn't believe in reflux at all) but after I finally demanded a paed appointment, the paed was very interested and disappointed when I said I had deleted them. Her terribly laboured breathing (panting, snorting, choking, sniffing, coughing all night long) was part of the diagnosis of silent reflux. We have been on Ranitidine, made a huge difference. Go over to the Feeding forum, there is a support thread for reflux babies which will help you immensely I think. Also - it turned out we had a cow's milk protein allergy. When I went diary free it made a big difference to her breathing, really noticeable. You can get CMP-free formula on prescription if you have a diagnosis that she needs it (it is very expensive otherwise). Good luck!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/1024071-Support-thread-for-all-parents-with-reflux-babies

This is the reflux support thread, ask these ladies your questions, they've all been through it before.

MacMomo - thanks so much. It's so helpful to know that there are other people who have experienced this and that it's not something terribly wrong with my baby only. He is now on Ranitidine and Domperidine and I'm very hopeful that these will help him. We have a paed outpatient appointment next week and if they feel that the meds have not helped with the apnoea, then he will have an EEG (scary). I'm definitely going to discuss cow's milk intolerance with them, as he has quite bad eczema...

Thank you - you're a very kind mummy!