omg

[Philly Mom]

Sending you lots of positive thoughts.

Is there anyway you can get a sitter for DD for an hour so you can take DS out and do something one on one?

[SnuggleBuggles]

Instead of paying more money, maybe see if the LLL can help?

Neither of my boys had those wide open latches. Things were miserable for a few weeks with ds1 but fine with ds2. Soothes were a lifesaver, btw! Kept them in the fridge btw uses so cool and numbing.

We never had reflux; plenty of spit up but no discomfort.

You'll turn a corner soon, I promise!!!

[marymoo86]

FYI - youmay want to try putting breast milk on your nipples instead of neosporin. BM naturally has antimicrobial properties and I noticed when I had a sore spot it healed a lot quicker when I applied a bit of milk on it.

Hugs - DD had silent reflux and while no where near as challenging wasn't a picnic. You can do this!

[pastrygirl]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. My youngest just about broke me. It was impossible having another kid to take care of. I asked everyone for help, even people I barely knew. I needed someone to play with my older son, take him out of the house, and help feed us.

I would help out another mom in this position even if I barely knew her. It was just so life-alteringly miserable.

Toddler size flat cloth diapers help with all the puke...

[ahisma]

I'm so sorry. I had two silent reflux babies, 22 months apart. It was hard. Insanely hard.

Zantac never did work for us. DS wound up on Prilosec. BUT, we had to have it compounded weekly. If it was more than a week old, it lost it's efficacy. The ped thought we were nuts...but every single time we tried to go past a week the reflux triggered again.

The meds didn't eliminate it - in fact he still tested for high levels of reflux while on the meds - because I didn't know I was supposed to stop them before the test (they probably told me, but I was exhausted, had screaming babies - you know the gig). We left two pediatricians offices because they were no help and thought we were exaggerating. The third one had a reflux baby and got it. She was a lifesaver.

Can you seek out some online reflux support groups. I got some great med / routine advice that way. Nothing stopped it, but it helped us get through it.

[gatorsmom]

I wanted to suggest getting some gel pads that are made for nursing moms. I'm pretty sure Walgreens sells them. I'll try to find a link. Put them in the fridge while you are nursing them put them cold on your nipples in-between feedings. I put them right in my nursing bra. They were wonderful and took a lot of the soreness and swelling away.

I got some from the hospital called hydrogels. These look a lot like the ones I had and are called hydrogels too. Maybe Ameda bought the company. I like that they are not sticky.
http://www.amazon.com/Ameda-17261M-C...ef=pd_sim_ba_2

[curiousgeorge]

I'm so so sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time. BF can be so hard! I have no BTDT with reflux, but did have a DS with a small mouth and tight frenulum. His latch was not good and the LC that I saw helped me get comfortable with using the nipple shields they had given me in the hospital. It was the only way I could nurse for the first few months and made the difference between me nursing or giving up because it was so painful. That's really all I have to offer other than hugs. Hope you have been able to play with your DS for a few minutes this weekend. I remember that part too. So hard, but it does get better. Hugs.

[bisous]

Oh gosh. I'm sorry you are having such a hard time! I remember when my DS3 was super needy and it was SO tough. This place had some great suggestions.

Only two things that came to mind. First, I decided to do SUPER easy dinners and foods. Chicken nuggets weekly for a year? Guilty! I had to come up with menus that allowed me to "cook" with DS3 in my arms! I ended up doing lots of oven meals because it required only seconds to remove from oven and the rest could be done while holding a babe!

Also, I don't know if this is possible but I'd see if I could schedule some time when someone could hold the baby and you could have some "special" time with DS1. Have it at the same time every day. Be totally upbeat and happy the whole time (even if you feel like falling apart) and make it part of the rhythm of the day that he can look forward to. When he is having a hard time, remind him that it is coming and assure him it will be a lot of fun!

I hope it gets better! You're doing a great job!

[Carrots]

I had a reflux baby too. It is very very hard.

But you are right- you can do it.

Same here. DD K was a reflux baby. She was a 31 weeker and did well in the hospital, but it seemed that as soon as she came home, the reflux began. We also had/have a milk protein allergy.

One thing that worked well to calm K down when she was OOC was "shushing". It is a technique from "Happiest Baby on the Block" (which I never read), but getting right in her ear, rocking and loudly shushing stopped the crying for a little while.

I am so sorry! It is SO hard to have a reflux baby!!


Also, my skin broke down at the hospital when I was pumping when DD was in the NICU. The LC helped me get a RX for "APNO" (it had to be compounded at a special pharmacy), but that stuff worked wonders.

[theriviera]

Big mama.

Just wanted to add that you can make APNO at home. Use equal parts polysporin, hydrocortisone ointment and clotraminazole cream (Lotrimin).