3 months old, reflex and sleep - HELP!

[Millypad]

We’re at our wits end a little... our baby has quite severe reflux and is on both gaviscon and ranitidine, which has helped with the discomfort but not the throwing up.

We have a little routine - bath, book and milk, but she’s never gone down before 11.30 - but up until last week she was staying asleep until 5.30 for a feed then going back to sleep until 8. Now she’s waking every hour. My problem is this - we can’t put her down awake or leave her awake and crying as she will throw up all over herself and the crib. She will only fall asleep on us and we can then transfer her. However now we seem to be getting to the point where she will pretty much only sleep on us full stop and I don’t want her getting into bad habits... but what else can we do when reflux is involved?! Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated, we’re so exhausted

Should also mention we have to keep her upright for 30-45 mins after a feed else she will thrash around and grunt until she wakes up

We used something called carobel in our daughters bottle, it just thickens the milk and makes it easier for the stomach to keep it down. Worth a try?

My son had horrific reflux, and despite cuddling him to sleep every night when he got to 10 months he decided he was quite happy going to sleep on his own. Don't feel like you can't do something that works now in fear of creating bad habits, do what gives you sleep! Is the top of her bed raised? My 3 year old is still sleeping on a wedge or else wakes quite refluxy. Ranitidine is very weight dependent, so it's worth checking the dose with the doctor once you have a latest weight, it can change very quickly when they're little! If that's not working, there are other medications available, my son was put on omeprazole which has been brilliant! He is still on it, but it works! Also some reflux is linked to cows milk allergy, so that may also be worth considering! It's not easy with such a refluxy baby but it does get better! It's also worth taking out shares in washing products as we seemed to be constantly washing!! Hope this helps.

Thank you so much! We’re so exhausted, she only slept for twenty mins in the crib last night and the rest of the time on us.... so scared to put her down awake in case she throws up but maybe we just have to deal with it...

Our son has had reflux issues too. He is also on GAvison, was on Ranitidine but has since moved to Omeprazole. We don't think the latter is making any difference, and it's a hard drug to give him as we have been prescribed tablets, therefore we have to crush them up and try to give them via spoon and some food. He hates the bitter taste so I'm not convinced much is going in.

We've had all the same issues described above, he can reflux an hour after feeding sometimes, or, not at all. The GP told us it's a phase and should resolve itself. but could be at least a year old until we see any change. Everything seems to be yet another so called phase!

@Millypad

My 6 month old DD has reflux and is on ranitidine. She still upchucks quite a bit, despite being on solids (although there has been some improvement). My GP told me that ranitidine doesn't reduce upchuck, but it reduces the acidity of it (which is why my DD now isn't remotely bothered when milk comes up, as it doesn't hurt).

Is it possible to elevate her crib or mattress? Our DD is still in a Next2Me which we have elevated. She naps during the day in her cot, and we have used towels underneath the mattress to elevate it slightly.

Is your DD breastfed or FF? Either way, cutting out dairy might help (if FF you'll need prescription formula from the GP). I BF'd for 6 months (just starting to cut down now) and I cut out dairy (DD also had other CMPA symptoms). Very quickly, DD was like a different baby. She still had reflux, but gone was the constant screaming and having to be held upright constantly.

I feel for you - it's bloody hard!