Infant Reflux Information

[haydensmom]

It seems like this has been a hot topic recently, so consider this an informative post. Hayden had pretty severe reflux and I learned a lot on that journey. I hope those of you questioning it find something informative here.

For Hayden, the first sign that I actually noticed (other than the frequent spit up) was that he arched his back a lot, especially when sleeping. He slept on his side and his head was always thrown back like he was looking up at something. That was my first clue. They do that because it helps the acid to stop coming up the throat. I learned that frequent spit up is really normal. Up to two tablespoons indicates no problems. If you pour that on a rag, it's a lot more than you'd think.

Hayden was in pain a good bit and I guess he was fussier than Ava, but not markedly. Ava was super fussy in the beginning as well. She wouldn't sleep anywhere other than on me and her problem was gas. Most babies that age are very, very gassy because they aren't efficient at the breast yet and tend to swallow a lot of air. We tried gripe water, but gas drops worked so much better for us. For Ava, swallowing all of the recommended amount of gripe water just led to more gas because she didn't take it well.

One of my "goals" is to make sure that people on here (and in real life if I encounter) know that spitting up does not mean a baby has reflux. I see so many people say their lo has it and I'm very skeptical. Doctors are SO prone to just prescribing something to keep the patients happy and I really wish they'd spend more time actually diagnosing. One of the biggest indicators of reflux is REALLY slow weight gain or weight loss. Hayden dropped from 50% at 2 month to 25% at 2.5 months to 5-8% at four months. :shocker:

I guess maybe it would make it easier to just list some of the symptoms for you, huh? Sorry to ramble so much about it, but I feel so passionately that people get an accurate diagnosis. Today, so many people "google" and then go into their doctors saying, "I think I have this, can I get some medication?" Unless they're a really great doc, most say yes. Please educate yourself and GRILL your doctor before starting medication.

Symptoms:

-Frequent spit up, more than two tablespoons, most happening at least an hour following a feeding

-Arching back and neck (biggie)

-Crying in pain while burping or spitting up

-Lack of weight gain, slow weight gain, or loss of weight

-Frequent hiccups

-Hearing a wet burp, meaning that you hear something come up, but baby swallows it before it comes up (this is a huge indicator, along with the weight gain/loss)

-Sudden cry - the cry is often higher pitched than babe's normal cry because it stems from pain

-Coughing and nasal congestion

-Bad breath

There are more, but those are the most prominent. If your baby only has one of these, chances are reflux is NOT present. Most reflux babies have most or all of those listed.

Hayden had every single one of these. Poor kid. :ohno:

For Hayden, his got really bad at 2 months. Reflux usually peeks at 6 months and is gone by a year. His didn't totally disappear until he was 15 months. Once in a blue moon now, he'll spit up without any signs of illness and no illness will follow it. This happens maybe once every month to six weeks, but it still surprises me. For us, instead of going on meds, we started rice cereal at three months, three times a day (just a teaspoon). It helped to weight his bm down and helped his weight get up to 10-15% by four months. It stayed in that percentile until he was over a year.

I hope that some of this information has helped.

If you still think your little one has reflux, here are some suggestions.

*Keep baby propped for at least 30 minutes after a feeding at a 45 degree angle.

*When you burp baby, place them on your shoulder and rub their back in a clockwise motion instead of patting. It will bring up the gas with minimal milk.

*When you feed baby, lean back or to the opposite side. This will allow gravity to slow your milk flow down. It also will cause the milk to hit the roof of the mouth instead of the back of the throat, causing less gas, which causes less spit up

*Get all the gas out of that baby's belly!! The more gas that's in there, the fussier he will be and the more he'll spit up.

*If you think you may have a fast let down, unlatch baby as soon as the letdown starts and either catch the milk in a burp cloth or in a cup. I highly advise NOT pumping as this will increase your supply and therefore make matters worse in the long run.

*Burp more frequently during a feed

*Wear your baby. This has been shown to help lessen the reflux.

*If your baby will take one and is at least three weeks (lessens the chance of nipple confusion), offer a pacifier. It will help soothe his belly and also can help keep the milk down.

*If your baby is older, you could try starting a teaspoon of cereal 2-3 times a day (from a spoon or dropper, not in a bottle). PLEASE consult your pediatrician before you do this!!



This is a really informative site:
http://www.infantrefluxdisease.com/infant-reflux-symptoms.php
Treatment:
http://infantrefluxdisease.com/help-infant-reflux.php

As with any information you read online, consult your child's pediatrician. I am not a doctor. I have minimal medical training. I am only passing along information I learned having a child with reflux.

[flatoutgallop]

and for any confusion between colic and reflux (quite common to confuse the two)
www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz on the 'signs and symptoms' page.

[luvbeingmommy]

Thank you for posting this. I really think my 3 week old has either bad case of gas or acid reflux. He doesn't spit up a lot but he does have the wet burps that you were talking about, and arches his back a lot as well as making a ton of noises and grunts. It is hard for me to burp him everytime, so I will try rubbing his back instead of patting it (and trying to lean back or to the one side like you said). I do have a call into the pediatrician and I am having a lactation consultant come to the house tomorrow to look at my latch. He has plenty of dirty diapers so I know he is getting food, but I think he is getting a lot of air in. Again, thanks for posting this.

[laura88]

Thanks for the post. As you know (if you've read any post of mine in the last month) Caleb has Reflux. It kills me their is no support on hear for babies with Colic, Reflux, (etc, etc, etc). He has every single symptom listed except faliure to gain weight. I work really hard to keep it from bothering him. The worst thing for me is hearing him gagging in his sleep...I thought he was going to choke to death. He sleeps on his tummy now b/c I haven't been able to do an incline where he sleeps for longer than 2 hrs....or roll into an unsafe position. I think I'm just lucky on the gaining weight though. He was spitting up sooooo much. I mean a whole burp cloth would be covered each time, & he's do that 3-4 times every feeding & in between them as well. It was horrible. It actually didnt become noticeable until 2 months. He had signs of soemthing beig wrong, but his old Pedi just kep saying he had colic. On day 5 she said it was colic. I kept bringing up the gaging & congestion, but he never spit up (he did have wet burps though) until his growth spurt at 7-8weeks. Also, my LC said excessive foremilk maes the spitting up/reflux worse & many "refluxy" babies have this versus reflux...the signs for this are really runny stool. She said a BF baby's stool should sort of stick to the diaper, but if it just runs across the diaper, too much foremilk. Green is a sign of astro problems, especially if it gets brighter....Just thought I'd share this....

[haydensmom]

Thanks for the post. As you know (if you've read any post of mine in the last month) Caleb has Reflux. It kills me their is no support on hear for babies with Colic, Reflux, (etc, etc, etc). He has every single symptom listed except faliure to gain weight. I work really hard to keep it from bothering him. The worst thing for me is hearing him gagging in his sleep...I thought he was going to choke to death. He sleeps on his tummy now b/c I haven't been able to do an incline where he sleeps for longer than 2 hrs....or roll into an unsafe position. I think I'm just lucky on the gaining weight though. He was spitting up sooooo much. I mean a whole burp cloth would be covered each time, & he's do that 3-4 times every feeding & in between them as well. It was horrible. It actually didnt become noticeable until 2 months. He had signs of soemthing beig wrong, but his old Pedi just kep saying he had colic. On day 5 she said it was colic. I kept bringing up the gaging & congestion, but he never spit up (he did have wet burps though) until his growth spurt at 7-8weeks. Also, my LC said excessive foremilk maes the spitting up/reflux worse & many "refluxy" babies have this versus reflux...the signs for this are really runny stool. She said a BF baby's stool should sort of stick to the diaper, but if it just runs across the diaper, too much foremilk. Green is a sign of astro problems, especially if it gets brighter....Just thought I'd share this....

That's when Hayden's got really bad as well. His actually got much, much worse following his two month vaccinations. Even the pediatrician said that's probably what made it worse. He had always been a spitter, but had been a happy spitter up until that point. :(

[laura88]

Wow! That's what happened to him. He was doing so well, & then he got those darned vaccines & OMG! What happened to my sweet boy! He can't sleep during the day w/o over an hour of work for an hour nap! I read that 2-3 months it can get worse too. How did you handle it? I mean just seeing your child sick & in pain?

[mohop]

Does anyone recommend a particular sleep positioner to keep baby inclined?

[haydensmom]

Does anyone recommend a particular sleep positioner to keep baby inclined?

I used a wedge that I found at BRU. You could also try stacking a few books under the bottom of one side of the crib. But I was always nervous that the crib would slip off of them.

[laura88]

Does anyone recommend a particular sleep positioner to keep baby inclined?
It depends on the baby, they're size & how fast they grow. Some of them have a drop off at the end, which I don't like. The Ultimate sleep positioner is good if you're baby isn't too long or too heavy. The normal one that's flat and has bumps on the side are good, so long as it's one that the velcro really holds the bump, this allows the baby to lay on his/her side, definetly good b/c then they can't gag on spit-up. BRU sells a crib incliner pad, it fits across the mattress under the sheet. Of course, if their in a bassinet or small crib, a rolle up towel works (which you can also place against their back in a bassi to keep them on their side).
Make sure you keep reciepts, most places will let you bring them back if the baby has issues sleeping on them BRU does for sure.

[zekedancin]

I know this is probably annoying, but I am unsure still even after reading your post.

My little one only has the following:

-Frequent spit up, more than two tablespoons, most happening at least an hour following a feeding -SHE SPITS UP, BUT NOT THIS MUCH IN MY OPINION

-Arching back and neck (biggie) - SHE DOES THIS ALL THE TIME, BUT NOT ALWAYS SEEMING LIKE THERE IS PAIN INVOLVED?

-Frequent hiccups

-Sudden cry - the cry is often higher pitched than babe's normal cry because it stems from pain - SHE ALMOST ALWAYS WAKES WITH A VERY SEVERE CRY, AND TODAY SHE LET OUT A SCREAM/CRY IN THE MIDDLE OF FEEDING AS SHE PULLED AWAY (ARCHING BACK)

-Coughing and nasal congestion - SOMETIMES SHE SOUNDS CONGESTED WHEN SHE IS FUSSY AND WORKED UP.

So, she seems to have some symptoms, but not all. What do you think?

[laura88]

Hardly any baby has all the symptoms. Plus she's young and not really eating enough to spit-up alot, in most cases. Caleb didn't spit up until his 2mnth GS. The best thing to do is keep track of the spitting up & things you feel just aren't right and make an appointment w/your Pedi to see what s/he thinks. It is likely it could be a reaction to dairy our things, especially if you are breast feeding. You can find elimination diets on many websites, including a drastic one by Dr. Sears. I'd start w/dairy though. If you use formula, try soy for about a week (or is it 2?) and see how she does w/that.

[haydensmom]

I pmed you hon.

[JulieC]

Thank you so much for posting this info. It is a big help. Ben has some of the symptoms like the arching (with lots of grunting), wet burps that he swallows and although he doesn't cry when he does burp he makes a face as though he doesn't like it.

BUT, we have not had the 2 month shots yet and I am really concerned about this. Any idea which shot (s) was the culprit? Did you get all of them?

[haydensmom]

Thank you so much for posting this info. It is a big help. Ben has some of the symptoms like the arching (with lots of grunting), wet burps that he swallows and although he doesn't cry when he does burp he makes a face as though he doesn't like it.

BUT, we have not had the 2 month shots yet and I am really concerned about this. Any idea which shot (s) was the culprit? Did you get all of them?

He got all of them, so no way to know. Although combo shots tend to have more chemicals in them. :(

[buttercup]

Thanks for posting this. I think Blaise has reflux. He has the wet burps, holding his head back, frequent spit ups, frequent hiccups, and the sudden crying when he (we think) is calm. We have a pedi appt on friday. I will have to ask him about it.

[laura88]

Thank you so much for posting this info. It is a big help. Ben has some of the symptoms like the arching (with lots of grunting), wet burps that he swallows and although he doesn't cry when he does burp he makes a face as though he doesn't like it.

BUT, we have not had the 2 month shots yet and I am really concerned about this. Any idea which shot (s) was the culprit? Did you get all of them?
Avoid the Rotovirus for sure, lots of mmmies were told this caused it to be worse. Also talk to the Pedi about spacing some, that seems to help. Our doc did all b/c he was "better" & we were sort of testing. Now, we will space for sure!

[hapagirl]

Thank you for posting this. It really helped when we went to the pedi. Since this is our first, DH and I didn't know what was normal baby sounds/movements and what wasn't. We decided to opt for meds since they are in so much distress, not to mention we aren't getting sleep because one of us is always awake to suction out their noses/mouths (we're so afraid they'll aspirate). The pedi agreed it wasn't normal to have to suction them all the time. So, we're trying the meds since me and everyone in my family has a history of reflux. If that doesn't help. we'll switch to non-milk based formula supplement since both me and my sister had severe milk allergies when we were younger.

[JulieC]

Those of you whose LO's have the severe reflux, are they on a prescription of some kind? Are there any alternatives to zantac?

[laura88]

Those of you whose LO's have the severe reflux, are they on a prescription of some kind? Are there any alternatives to zantac?
Regelan, but there are many who don't like it. I didn't like what it did to DS. Zantc really has no side effects. Gripe water is a homeopathic remedy.

[buttercup]

Got a prescription for Zantac for Blaise from his pedi at todays appt. I will lat you know how it works.

[laura88]

Got a prescription for Zantac for Blaise from his pedi at todays appt. I will lat you know how it works.
It will take about 4 days b4 you see any changes & 2 wks to really take affect. Good Luck!

[teachermom]

Thanks for posting all this. This really sounds like Stella to a t.

One question: do these babies ever have REALLY mucousy, green poops? I'm wondering if she's swallowing the acid and it's coming out in her poop.

Cross your fingers the doc gives us a prescription for zantac or recommends something that will help. DH is rocking our girl right now. She's woken up 3 times since she went down already!

[hapagirl]

For any of you whose LOs are on Zantac, have you noticed an increase in gas? Lilian and Lukas have been on Zantac for 6 days now and their gas production has increased a tremendous amount; it's almost non-stop. I'm just wondering if this is a side-effect or if the just are gassy all of a sudden.

[haydensmom]

Thanks for posting all this. This really sounds like Stella to a t.

One question: do these babies ever have REALLY mucousy, green poops? I'm wondering if she's swallowing the acid and it's coming out in her poop.

Cross your fingers the doc gives us a prescription for zantac or recommends something that will help. DH is rocking our girl right now. She's woken up 3 times since she went down already!

Hayden didn't have mucousy poops at all. However, Ava started having them when she started teething and swallowing a lot of excess saliva. Her poops are green sometimes, too, but that's normal.

[laura88]

Thanks for posting all this. This really sounds like Stella to a t.

One question: do these babies ever have REALLY mucousy, green poops? I'm wondering if she's swallowing the acid and it's coming out in her poop.

Cross your fingers the doc gives us a prescription for zantac or recommends something that will help. DH is rocking our girl right now. She's woken up 3 times since she went down already!
Yes, & yes. That was the doc's indicator that he was having acid problems (b/c it was an everyday sort of thing for awhile)
T%o the has Q posted by someone else, Zantac relives acid production which is bubbling in their tummy so some of that bubble can come out in gas. Give them Mylicon if it seems painfull, but unless there is something else causing gas, it should mostly clear up. Oh, if you don't give them the Zantac "on time" it can happen too, again b/c the acid makes bubbles in the tummy.

[JulieC]

OK - more questions.
Did any of your LO's wake up with grunting in the night? I wasn't sure what this was from but now I'm thinking it is from either reflux or gas (or one causing the other). It seems like Ben is struggling to poop in the early AM with severe grunting and struggling and it keeps him up. He also is twisting his head back as described above. The poor thing is exhausted from it usually. Sometimes he cries in pain for a minute then falls asleep, like it's gas pain coming and going. This sometimes goes on for 2 hours. When he does go it is often mucousy. He also has been spitting up more and more. The pedi said it might be from over eating but today he started spitting up after just 6 minutes on one side. I feel so bad for him. I can hear his stomach gurgling (is this normal?) and I never know when he is going to spit up - it has been up to 2-3 hours after he eats sometimes and even his spit up has been mucousy. He also tries to swallow it and he sometimes chokes on it which is really, really scary for me (and him). I mean, he doesn't just cough and spit he stops making any noise and can't get his breath like someone choking on food. I'm getting scared to let him out of my sight. Has anyone else experienced this?

[haydensmom]

OK - more questions.
Did any of your LO's wake up with grunting in the night? I wasn't sure what this was from but now I'm thinking it is from either reflux or gas (or one causing the other). It seems like Ben is struggling to poop in the early AM with severe grunting and struggling and it keeps him up. He also is twisting his head back as described above. The poor thing is exhausted from it usually. Sometimes he cries in pain for a minute then falls asleep, like it's gas pain coming and going. This sometimes goes on for 2 hours. When he does go it is often mucousy. He also has been spitting up more and more. The pedi said it might be from over eating but today he started spitting up after just 6 minutes on one side. I feel so bad for him. I can hear his stomach gurgling (is this normal?) and I never know when he is going to spit up - it has been up to 2-3 hours after he eats sometimes and even his spit up has been mucousy. He also tries to swallow it and he sometimes chokes on it which is really, really scary for me (and him). I mean, he doesn't just cough and spit he stops making any noise and can't get his breath like someone choking on food. I'm getting scared to let him out of my sight. Has anyone else experienced this?

To me, it sounds like he has a sensitivity to something you are eating more than just plain reflux. Grunting is still fairly normal at his age because he's still trying to coordinate the muscles used for pushing and relaxing his rectal muscles simultaneously. However, the mucousy poops and spit up is concerning and can be a flag for a food sensitivity. Have you tried cutting out dairy? That would be my first step. I don't have a lot of experience with sensitivities, but you could post a new thread in this forum about what others have done. HUGS!

[laura88]

To me, it sounds like he has a sensitivity to something you are eating more than just plain reflux. Grunting is still fairly normal at his age because he's still trying to coordinate the muscles used for pushing and relaxing his rectal muscles simultaneously. However, the mucousy poops and spit up is concerning and can be a flag for a food sensitivity. Have you tried cutting out dairy? That would be my first step. I don't have a lot of experience with sensitivities, but you could post a new thread in this forum about what others have done. HUGS!
Our Pedi said the mucous was from the reflux. It can make them congested. I di the food sensitivity stuff, and nothing ever changed.
Julie,
Most of what you are describing sounds normal to me. This is why my son slept on his tummy, and he slept in our room in a bassinett, not his crib in his room. We felt it was better to be safe. I can tell you that at 2 months is when Caleb's got bad, and the Pedi said this is when it happens for most of them. I don't know if you're doing any meds, but burp him frequently. Also feed him so his head is above his belly, not level. A heavy let-down can also increase spti-up, so see if he seems to be gagging or eating fast at the beginning if you are unure if you do this. If you do, you need to pull off and let it spray into a cloth. Also, try and slow down his eating and feed him less more often. Hope some of this helps. PM me if you want to talk more in detail or anything!

[squirrelgurl07]

so how do you get them to latch when they have reflux? My problem is he has all those symptoms and yet he wont latch, even to take a bottle I have to shove it in his mouth and he fights it alot at first, poor boy must be in a lot of pain.

they gave me baby zantax and it seems to be helping but I want to know for after his jaundice incident and I start bringing him to the breast again

[haydensmom]

so how do you get them to latch when they have reflux? My problem is he has all those symptoms and yet he wont latch, even to take a bottle I have to shove it in his mouth and he fights it alot at first, poor boy must be in a lot of pain.

they gave me baby zantax and it seems to be helping but I want to know for after his jaundice incident and I start bringing him to the breast again

I'm sending you a pm, but it seems really super early to be diagnosing reflux to me. :conf: You can't even make out all the symptoms yet because they often lose a lot of weight right after birth and he hasn't yet gained that back (this is totally normal and expected in bfed babies), they have so much gas, etc. :chinscratch: I just want to make sure your little one isn't taking a med he doesn't really need, which so many docs are quick to jump at these days it seems.

[laura88]

I'm sending you a pm, but it seems really super early to be diagnosing reflux to me. :conf: You can't even make out all the symptoms yet because they often lose a lot of weight right after birth and he hasn't yet gained that back (this is totally normal and expected in bfed babies), they have so much gas, etc. :chinscratch: I just want to make sure your little one isn't taking a med he doesn't really need, which so many docs are quick to jump at these days it seems.
ITA! 6 days could just be taking in too much air from poor latching. I think you should work on your latch and try a lot of burping to get out air. Use the circular motion on the back, and try holding your babies tummy against your shoulder and let him fall over your shoulder some, it helps move air.

[haydensmom]

ITA! 6 days could just be taking in too much air from poor latching. I think you should work on your latch and try a lot of burping to get out air. Use the circular motion on the back, and try holding your babies tummy against your shoulder and let him fall over your shoulder some, it helps move air.

Yes!! I meant to include this in my pm but forgot. :doh:

[cheeksy]

I think DD has reflux - she's been crying bloody murder past few days and arching back and neck and always trying to feed. She wouldn't sleep well, always making faces like she is trying to pass stool (which comes actually in blowouts at times but she doesn't normally cry when passing it).
I have been trying out tips on unlatching and burping and latching again and it was quite a help - she was awake while we were having dinner with PIL and for 40 mins she was just quietly laying down there playing with her fingers. So, thank you for the tips! I know they grow out of it but it is heartbreaking when they cry so loud and so helplessly. And it is exhausting to have them on the boob 24/7. :ohno: I feel more optimistic and confident now.

[haydensmom]

I think DD has reflux - she's been crying bloody murder past few days and arching back and neck and always trying to feed. She wouldn't sleep well, always making faces like she is trying to pass stool (which comes actually in blowouts at times but she doesn't normally cry when passing it).
I have been trying out tips on unlatching and burping and latching again and it was quite a help - she was awake while we were having dinner with PIL and for 40 mins she was just quietly laying down there playing with her fingers. So, thank you for the tips! I know they grow out of it but it is heartbreaking when they cry so loud and so helplessly. And it is exhausting to have them on the boob 24/7. :ohno: I feel more optimistic and confident now.

There's a big growth spurt at 1 month and at 6 weeks. If this is just starting, she may just be growing. Is she spitting up a lot? Ava usually spits up more during a growth spurt because she'll take a little too much in. It sounds like a growth spurt to me. :hugs:

[cheeksy]

She is. It is milky and curdy. I do hope it is growth spurt. She had bad colic before and we were getting by with gripe water. The problem is we don't have a proper doctor to consult so I have to lurk around different websites, making assumptions and get nagged by DH cause I get upset and for 2 weeks I was crying every day cause I felt very incompetent.
Thank you for support. I really need it :hugs:

[haydensmom]

She is. It is milky and curdy. I do hope it is growth spurt. She had bad colic before and we were getting by with gripe water. The problem is we don't have a proper doctor to consult so I have to lurk around different websites, making assumptions and get nagged by DH cause I get upset and for 2 weeks I was crying every day cause I felt very incompetent.
Thank you for support. I really need it :hugs:

You are doing great!!! You are so proactive and are successful because of it - GREAT JOB!!!!!! Six weeks is usually the magic age where things start to get better. A lot of babies have super bad gas the first 2 months or so. Gas drops/gripe water were my best friends!!!!! Your dd is lucky to have a momma like you!!!:hugs:

[cheeksy]

Thank you, dear :hugs:

[laura88]

Here's a new one, Caleb had odd smelling breath for over a week. It was like simple syrup, then like strong vinegar! It was awful. That with the upchucking and we have been playing with his med dosage (doc/me). That said, I got chewed out for feeding him past 9:00 pm! She wants me to limit him to 16-20 oz a day, so 4-5 feedings max. I don't get that. She said it's super importnat with refluxy babies to keep there milk intake to bare minimum 3-4 hours b4 bed time and none w/in an hour of bed time....and 9 being the absolute latest, which is 30 minutes b4 he goes to sleep....but occasionaly he goes to bed earlier or later, depends on his nap schedule that day. So, if he wakes at midnight and wats milk, I'm supposed to ignore it?????? What do/did you ladies do w/night feedings, Caleb is 7 months.

[ashley1221]

I think my 7 week old baby maybe experiencing this. Though she doesn't show all the symptoms stated at the start of the thread, she does show some of those. She has been unable to sleep well at night when she's flat on her back. She sleeps better in her stroller especially when it's reclined.

[lawchickasaw]

i just knew my baby was had acid reflux-she had all the symptoms. they put her on zantac. when i got her on a sleep schedule it magically disappeared. i.e. the orginal poster has a point. : )