Reflux, how do we sleep?!

[Sparrowlegs248]

Ds 3.5 weeks has silent reflux and a lot if wind. He's bf, and has gaviscon every other feed.

He woke fir a feed 12.15. Fed, changed nappy, winded etc. Held upright. (I fell asleep propped up in bed with him on my chest)

Woke up, offered feed, refused. Put back in sleepyhead. Minutes later, the noises start again getting progressively worse. Of course it's two hours since last feed. So he's feeding again despite having refused ten minutes ago.

I'm.exhausted. Other child gets up before six. I've been up with Ds2 since 1/2 am all week.

I am another one that ranitidine did wonders for. I too used to fall asleep after night feeds holding DD upright waking up hours later for the next one. We were initially prescribed gaviscon by GP but after 10 days of use and no results we went to walk in clinic (DD used to bring up full feeds with no other symptoms of illness - she just couldn't keep it down!) the doctor we saw there just had to ring one of the on call paediatricians for info on how much ranitidine to prescribe as she was only 6 weeks then. Been on the good stuff since then and at 5 months is now doing 100x better with only minor set back after jabs.

Go back to GP and good luck.

So sorry to hear about your baby's problems. It brings back a lot of memories for me of when DS was little. I really wish I could have got him some help sooner. We got to the stage of him feeding slowly but constantly from 12-8 overnight as the only easy we could both sleep and he flew up the weight centile charts, which meant the doctors took it less seriously as he was doing well.

He was prescribed Gaviscon at around three months and would yell horribly at feeds when he knew he was going to be given it (from a syringe with breast milk). My health visitor was extremely helpful and insisted we go back to the surgery when I got a second Gaviscon prescription after I'd explained the difficulty with administering it to the GP. She asked me to explain that I'd seen her and she had concerns that the chosen medication might affect the breastfeeding relationship we'd established. She asked me to request Ranitidine but the GP preferred to prescribe Omeprazole (Losec MUPS) and that made such a difference to DS even after a few days, although stopping the Gaviscon resulted in a couple of days of constant vomiting, which he didn't have before. Within a week, he could lie down to sleep, seemed more relaxed, hiccupped less, had lost his nappy rash and didn't scream whenever we heard his little refluxy gulps. She also booked a couple of follow up appointments with me supposedly to check that DS was doing ok but I think more to check if I was coping ok too.

I was wondering if you had spoken to your health visitor and just wanted to suggest it if your GP doesn't offer any alternative suggestions to help your son when you visit today.

I hope the breastfeeding support is useful too. Feeding in laid back position for the first few months and then koala position (upright astride the knee) from about ten weeks really helped DS although holding him in the koala position was really uncomfortable until he could sit unsupported. Both positions seemed to give him a lot more control over feeding and reduced how much air got in.

Hope things get better for you both soon.

I posted when DS was 5 weeks and acting in a very similar way. Absolutely no disrespect to anyone but many told me it was 4th trimester stuff, it wasn't - it was reflux, once medicated with ranitidine (which the GP can give!) he settled rapidly. I mostly attachment parent so I'm really on board with 4th trimester, but mine needed the meds so that he didn't need to be literally upright on me all the time

I've had the shitting day but I have the ranitidine. God I hope it helps. Only tried four pharmacies to find it.

Does it matter when I give it? Before/mid/after feed? Three times a day.

Usually 20 minutes before

Does it say on the prescription sticker?

I just spread it out so there is at least 4 hours between doses

Hi. My dd2 had silent reflux. I survived on 2 hours sleep a night for 4 months. It was horrendous. I cut out dairy gluten and soya which helped abit. Saw 2 x paediatric docs. Second at children's hospital prescribed omeprazole. This miraculously transformed my baby into a normal one! At 4 1/2 she's just off meds and starting to eat normally.

Agree with dinobum this massively sounds like cmpi, allergy to cows milk protein. Do try cutting it out of your diet and see what happens.
In the meantime sling, white noise etc helped me survive this. I know it's not revolutionary advice but it's what got me through terrible colicky times with my second child (shudders remembering).

It doesn't say when to give it anywhere for babies, just suggests morning and night for adults.

I'll look into cutting dairy out too, happy to do that if it helps. He's currently asleep. Laying down (raised head.....) Hopefully a sign that even the first dose has helped.

Poor ds1 is being thoroughly neglected, I feel so sorry for him. Must be hard enough having a new baby arrive let alone one that has to be constantly held.

Good luck. Ds was like a new baby once the acid was neutralised with ranitidine. Made me feel awful for not getting it sooner, but they'll never remember it.

Another one for ranitidine here and if GP has correct baby weight can provide the right dosage. I remember having to see Heath visitor for weighing before GP would prescribe. Only used it a few times before symptoms cleared up. Also used a next to me crib that could be tilted, but I think the only think that really helped in those early days was cuddles. Good luck x

Just wanted to add my sympathy- we have just been going through very similar symptoms with DD3, now 5 weeks. I absolutely understand the 4th trimester, and don't have unrealistic expectations of how a newborn should 'normally' behave- this was completely different to anything I saw with my older DDS. All the same symptoms you describe. Anyway, long story short, gaviscon was nightmarish to administer (bf), and made zero difference, so after a week I returned to gp and was given omeprazole. That was a week ago, and for the last 5 days she has been a different baby, so do hang in there. Feeds are now almost 'normal' and while she does of course cry like any newborn, the medication in combination with careful handling (upright after feeds, propped up cot) is working. I absolutely understand that reflux is an immaturity issue and she will outgrow it.in due course, but equally if medication will reduce/ remove the obvious pain she was in at every single feed, it is worth it. Good luck!

Thanks all. He seems better already though tonight we are struggling with the congestion which I understand is a symptom of reflux, sounds like he has a snotty nose and coughing and spluttering. So I'm still up holding him up but he's not crying.

I also get the 4th trimester thing but as pp have said this is different.

OP this sounds very much like possible cows milk protein allergy. I'd urge you to look it up and see if the symptoms fit. Ours was diagnosed by the paediatrician, and the 'cure' was me going totally dairy free (and some go soya free too). The before and after was like night and day.

Hi op. I had to respond. My son is now 3 and has suffered with GORD since birth. His silent reflux was so severe he had blue episodes and he is medicated to this day. We had to go private to get the care we needed. We were prescribed esomprazole granules, domperidone(they may not prescribe this now) and Gaviscon in every feed. He is still on esomprazole. He will probably always be on esomprazole. He may require surgery to tighten the muscle but he may not. He is at higher risk of oesophageal cancer as an adult if we don't Medicare as a child. I'm not writing this to scare, I'm writing this to Inform you and others that silent reflux can be very serious (I'm not saying your sons is as bad as my son's) but people have no idea what they're taking about if they've not been through it. I hope you get some help. We broke all the rules in terms of co sleeping, what he slept in, etc (bouncy chair/our chest) as we had no other option. The GORD in my fine case has affected his chest as the acid goes into his lungs and he has regular barium swallow and chest x rays. As I say I am sure your son won't have as severe but to let you know that it's not in your head and that you deserve more support from a paediatrician who specialises in gastrointestinal issues xx good luck xxx

Hi,

As someone who has a baby with reflux i feel for you.

My lb had severe reflux - mainly silent. He was ebf too and would scream, choke, feed and repeat all night every night. Hv and gp never took it seriously as he would sleep in the day.... until i showed gp a video of him aspirating on his own vomit at night - like he did every night....then i got an apology and an immediate paediatric referral for that very same day.

Gaviscon is ok but doesnt work for most babies as all it does it thicken the milk. Most babies actually need ranitidine or omeprazole which reduces the acid levels to finally get some comfort.

It is exhausting. I remember the long sleepless nights, weeks and months... holding him up at night and crying with him. You are not alone although it can feel very much like it at 3am, especially as its not a very well understood condition.

Honestly, it will get better, but there are things you will need to insist on. I will list what genuinely helped in our case as your lo sounds a lot like mine!;

• push, push, push for ranitidine. Your baby is in pain, gaviscon is not working and reflux can be extemely dangerous because of choking and potentially aspirating.
• keep bf as its not only the easiest milk for your baby to digest, feeding on demand and being so close to you provides your poorly baby with so much soothing and comfort.
• buy a wedgehog from amazon. This goes under the mattress and elevates your baby's upper body to a safe elevation level.
• use the minimum amount of gaviscon possible as it can cause severe constipation. If you dont think the gaviscon is helping, stop using it
• keep your baby's upper body elevated as much as possible.
• ranitidine dosage is determined by your baby's weight. Once you have it, if you notice symptoms worsening then have your baby weighed and get the dose altered.

I really hope this helps. Our lb was on ranitidine for 15 months. He started it at 8 weeks and became a different baby almost overnight. He finally slept (although i didnt for a while as i was still so worried about him!), he was no longer in pain and finally became the happy boy he is now. He still has a bit of silent reflux depending on what he eats but it doesnt bother him at all.

Good luck x x x

Just seen that you have ranitidine! Fantastic!

We used to give it morning, mid afternoon and night. Try to space it evenly.

All the very best to you x x

Today he's been a million times better, fx for a good night too. Thank you areason that's really helpful. I will re read later when ds1 is asleep...

After such an improvement yesterday I had hopes for tnight. Sadly has been snuffling coughing and choking since 12.30 unless I hold him up. He's been having a bottle of formula before bed so will stop that tonight

It will take a few days for the ranitidine to work. The congestion isnt congestion. Reflux doesnt cause that - it sounds like aspriration to me, you are doing right to hold dc up in the night!

This wont last forvever. You can do this! x x

Really sympathise OP - My daughter has just been through this with our first GC - even ended up in hospital overnight things got so bad.
If you are on Facebook please join the following group - Living with Reflux (Child Support) - Charity Number 1132614. The people on here have all been through it and are so supportive and knowledgeable about medication and anything that helps, you can ask anything and there's always someone who answers straight away with help and support.
Someone mentioned allergies in a previous post - my daughter BF and it turns out her baby is allergic to dairy and soya as well as the reflux so she went vegan and there was a huge improvement .
It will get better once you get the right advice and meds for your baby 💐

Thanks all. Your help and kindness has me in tears. I feel so sorry for ds1, not only has his world changed with the arrival if a little brother, but I have barely put little brother down in two weeks.

You'll get some peace and time for DS too in a few days time - it just takes some time for the meds to work