weaning, reflux and constipation

[yellowbutterfly]

Hello all,

DD now over 26 weeks (corrected 20) due to start weaning this weekend. DD has bad reflux and constipation (a constant battle). DH and I are really worried about her constipation once we start weaning and very confused as to what to do about her reflux meds (gaviscon in particular). HV and GP and Peads all very useless when comes to advice. I was wondering if I could call upon your experiences/advice with these issues. (good and bad)

Thanks xx

For constipation, keep off the rice porridge, though I know officially that's what you're meant to start with. Made mine so constipated by the end of the first week.
Reflux meds? Didn't even realise there were any. DD2 (premie) used to reflux 24/7 like I've never seen a baby reflux, until she was 9 months old, then it just stopped. I didn't even realise you could give them medicine for it.

Hi Yellowdog, I saw from the chanllenging 3 mo threads you are thinking about weaning.

My DD is 16 weeks and I am planning to start when she is 5 mo - she too has reflux.
My HV and Paed told me that you must beware of certain foods that will make the acid reflux worse, that is such things as green veg like broccoli. i have found this website which I hope may help.
Let us know how you get on?
www.littlerefluxers.co.uk/forum/topics/what-to-avoid-when-weaning

Opps sorry Yellowbutterfly, getting mixed up with Angeldog - can I blame baby brain still

Thanks Fhutts thats really helpful, will check out the website. Many, many thanks xx

OMG just looked at that website fhutts- looks great. thank you so much xx

No worries, glad it is of help. i had no idea tomatoes could make things worse! Still I guess it is root veg for ours then eh! Best of luck. Do let me know how it goes. By the way saw the Omaprazale post, but luckily my paed will repeat but I have to visit him every other time. I live in Belgium and the pharmacy make it up by hand in the old fashion bottles with a pestle and mortar! Sorry can't help on that one. By the way have you asked about Motillium for reflux also?

Tried DD on Motilium, was really pleased when they prescribed it as thought would help with constipation, however gave her terrible tummy aches (screaming 5 mins after giving it and squirming lots) so we gave up.

Now using omeprazole dispersible tablets, bit of a faff and she hates the taste but at least we don't run out!!

Oh what a shame about the Motilium - it seems to help our end. What are the dispersible tablets how do they work?

I have to put the liquid in her feed in the morning but no-one could confirm if this still has the same effect if it is in the milk as opposed to giving in a syringe. She too HATES the taste and spits it out. Also sometimes if she doesn't finish all the bottle I worry she has had enough.

Is she b/f or formula, if so which one are you using??

DD is FF.

Dispersible tablets are called losec MUPS, they are still omeprazole. They wouldn't give them to DD at first as she is very small (now 6 months and only just 6kg (12lb). The tablets are 10 mg omeprazole and we just snap it in half and add to a teaspoon of cool boiled water, so she gets about 5mg, we then add it to about 20 ml milk and give it through a bottle. lots of bits get left behind but working ok so far.

Says not to add it to milk but we figured she would be having milk straight away afterwards so whats the difference!!, still works.

She was holding the liquid in her mouth and then spitting it out. (very clever)

Now she pretends to eat it, Takes about 20 mins to get her to take it all but she eventually does.

We had a choking disaster with syringes so don't use them.

Just by way of warning, DS who had reflux and constipation did not take well to weaning at all. He hated food and stuck to milk (mainly) until he was about 10-11m. He almost only went for BLW/finger foods too. (He also had thrush and I think this had a lot to do with it.) The reflux just went once he started eating solids.

If this does happen, my advice would be to relax and leave your LO to take his/her time (within reason) - DS is now an enormous 2 year old with a good appetite (still avoids some food though and some dairy).

Just to add (as they are all soo different!), DS is nearly 7mo and since weaning 3wks ago his reflux is nearly gone and we have ditched the Gaviscon! His poo is still very hard though, but he passes them quite easily.

He started sitting unaided at 6mo and I wonder if this helped the reflux too? Something to do with core muscles...

Good luck

Oh, and avoid banana - clogs them up