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Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

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Original poster

Weaning early for reflux

15 replies

BubbaM14 · 20/06/2017 11:41

Hello,

My health visitor has advised me to start weaning my 18 week old due to reflux. We have tried several medications, which I'm reluctant to give her constantly, but have to due to the severity of reflux.

We have been going for about a week now just with baby rice and she is defiantly swallowing the majority of what I give her, however, her tongue thrust reflex is very much still present.
Has any one else experienced this? Should I continue or stop? I'm worried to start veg purée incase her digestive system isn't ready, but the reflux is awful.
Any advice would be appreciated!
X

OP posts:

DoubleCarrick · 20/06/2017 11:45

I asked for advice on early weaning on here and was criticised heavily. We were advised by the pediatrician to wean at 17 weeks.

Interestingly, I found that Ds didn't really have the tongue thrust reflex.

I think they say that baby rice isn't great any more. We just started by doing puréed vegetables - carrot, parsnip, swede, sweet potato and butternut squash. Apparently fruit isn't great for reflux.

Good luck!

DoubleCarrick · 20/06/2017 11:46

Is there any sign that it could be a milk allergy? Try taking a look at the cmpa support website. They have a list of symptoms

FATEdestiny · 20/06/2017 12:18

Is your aim is to get more calories into baby? Milk is the most effective way to do this - gram for gram, ml for ml, baby will get more calories from the same volume of milk.

If you are breastfeeding and are feeling baby needs more than you can give, then formula milk would be far better than any solid food.

Original poster

BubbaM14 · 20/06/2017 13:23

Thanks DoubleCarrick. I have a read a few bits on here and have found some of the responses and criticism to mum's struggling with this quite awful! With regards to milk allergy, she only has a couple of symptoms but they are the same of those that come with reflux and the medicine I have been given for it, such as being a bit colicky, tummy ache, constipation. The doctor ruled out a milk intolerance when I asked and just diagnosed as reflux. She advised to ween a little early to be able to come off the medication as well as the health visitor. But I personally am just worried that if she still has the tongue thrust reflex that she's naturally trying to tell me she isn't ready. I'm a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place!

Thanks FATEDestiny. My aim isn't to get more calories into her, it's to help cure/improve her reflux and try and prevent her being sick 10-20 times a day without having to constantly give her medication. I know she's getting enough calories because her weight is doing well now she is on medication.

OP posts:

daisygirlmac · 20/06/2017 13:29

DS is 19 weeks and we have also been advised to wean early by the HV as he seems to be having some issues with formula milk. I've just been trying him with little bits of mushed up fruit or veg - usually something we are having and I'll do him a separate bit in a pot. Mango was a hit! I've found he does the tongue thrust thing if he's not keen on what I'm giving him, so I've just left it and tried something else the next day. Also what about trying different spoons? Yoghurt? It's hard when they can't sit up as well, the pram is covered! Has your HV not given you any guidance?

Original poster

BubbaM14 · 20/06/2017 15:55

Thanks daisygirlmac. Maybe it's that she's not overly fond of baby rice then. She does swallow it and I can tell from her nappies that it's going through. So maybe I should just give veg a go and stop worrying so much. She can sit up pretty well in her high chair. No not really just told me to do baby rice for a week or so then move on to veg and that's about it. They didn't mention anything about tongue reflex, I just know about it from reading everything I can about weaning.

OP posts:

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 20/06/2017 15:56

Imo baby rice is polyfilla not baby filler

FATEdestiny · 20/06/2017 16:23

We have tried several medications, which I'm reluctant to give her constantly

Why are you reluctant to give medication, given that it is necessary?

reflux meds can cause constipation. So can weaning, especially early weaning

reflux meds put minerals in baby's immature gut that the digestive system may not be ready for processing. Same with early weaning.

giving medication is fiddly. Weaning is even more so

medication is required several times a day. So are meals after weaning.

I am just trying to figure out why giving solids (way) before baby's body is ready is a better option than giving medication for a few more months?

Original poster

BubbaM14 · 20/06/2017 16:44

Exactly, so why use a synthetic drug over organic food when they will do the same thing and I have been told so by a health visitor and doctor. I'm not sure if you're trying to be a tad confrontational here FATEdestiny, but I'm already worried enough as a first time parent, I don't need more negativity. I'm asking for advise from parents who have experienced the same situation and can support me to make the right decision for my baby.

OP posts:

daisygirlmac · 20/06/2017 17:15

Bubba maybe try some porridge? Not specific baby porridge perhaps just normal porridge made up with your usual milk? Just thinking along the lines of it being a bit thicker so possibly will stay down better. I'm planning in the next few days to try banana, then possibly some carrot and see how it all goes.

FATE I think you're being a bit unkind. OP is following advice from the doctor and HV and is asking for advice on how to do this. I don't think it's constructive to carry on with the milk/meds argument.

daisygirlmac · 20/06/2017 17:16

OP definitely try different spoons as well, a friend of mine swears by the Asda ones!

eviethehamster · 20/06/2017 17:20

I weaned both of mine around this age as they had reflux. Dd1 definitely improved and dd2 did a little. I did do the organic baby rice mixed with breast milk after a feed. They both lapped it up!

Original poster

BubbaM14 · 20/06/2017 19:01

thank you both for your advise. I will certainly give the porridge and different spoons a go. I just tried her with carrot purée and she absolutely loved it and was grabbing for more... the tongue reflex is still there but not half as much as with baby rice.

Thank you for your reassurance. Very hard to know what is best when I have not done this before!

OP posts:

daisygirlmac · 20/06/2017 20:48

Ah good luck! DS is also my first and I feel like I'm just making it up as I go

DoubleCarrick · 22/06/2017 12:35

@BubbaM14 You're doing grand. It looks like they're about to be changing the guidelines soon anyway back to 4 months.

It took DS a couple of weeks to get to grips with the food but he loves he now. He gets mega excited over aubergine strange kid

I will say DS is still pretty sicky and recently we've had to up his meds again. We now just have orange colour patches of puke on the rug! He's getting on well with it though so I'm glad we persevered with the weaning. We just kept it to very small amounts - and still only give him small amounts. Once he hits six months we'll probably start giving finger food as well.

Ella's kitchen (the purple one) and annabel karmel do pretty good books with info on weaning

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