At my wit's end! Trying to figure out if DD has reflux? Please help :(

[MNmomtobe]

I can't decide if it is gas, reflux, milk protein allergy or all three? or two of these? This is my last week of maternity leave, DD is 9 weeks old, and I only slept about 1 1/2 hrs last night and have been unable to nap today. DD has only slept for 15 minutes at most today. She always does a little cough, then cries. DH and I always know when the crying will start when we hear that single cough. This makes me think reflux. Well, I am trying to give the Zantac more of a chance. She is to have 10 mg twice/daily. I have also put Mylicon in all her bottles and have given her gripe water a few times/day. Today has been horrible and I feel like I am no close to figuring this out. Ped keeps telling me she will probably grow out of this at about 3 months. I don't want to wait as she is miserable and I feel helpless.

I don't want to keep wasting time with this if she has a milk protein allergy. If I start her on that, I will not know if the Zantac had finally started working, or if it is the new formula working. DD is crying again....

BTW, she is gaining weight just fine. Was 6 lbs, 2 oz at birth and at her 2 month check was already 10 lbs 11 oz. I wonder if she eats to soothe?

Also, at some feedings she does completely fine. Some days she sleeps just fine. Other days, it's this cough/cry thing all day. Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Rachels]

That sure sounds like reflux, although my daughter's was made much worse by milk sensitivity. I'd begin by switching to hypoallergenic formula to see if that helps, and insist on a GI referral. If your ped won't do that, switch peds. Ineffectively treated reflux causes painful esophogeal damage, and not all babies outgrow it at three months.

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bf.jpg


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya

[saschalicks]

Switching formulas with DS#1 had a lot of success. With #2 we started on Alimentum and still had reflux issues. Good luck. I know how bad it can be.

[mint_chocolatechip]

I agree with Rachel-- try switching formulas (to Alimentum) and assume she has reflux that's being ineffectively treated. She should either see a GI specialist or you could ask your doctor if you could add Reglan to her medication-- this helps the stomach empty faster so that stomach contents are less likely to reflux into the esphagus. Also, are you trying to keep her upright, or at least at an incline after feedings and when sleeping?

[MNmomtobe]

Thanks Rachel and others for responding. I started DD on the Alimentum last night. I will give it a few days to see if there is any difference. I'm glad she took it so willingly. Smells like Cheese Nips. She is still doing the "cough and cry" at times. I am also bicycling her legs after feedings and an occasional warm moist towel on the belly. I have been giving her the Zantac twice daily along with Mylicon after each bottle.
I did get her to sleep but she will only do so (during the day anyway) in her infant carrier which isn't ideal- but at least we are both getting a little sleep!
Thanks again for the replies. :)

[Rachels]

I agree with sleeping propped up. There's also a thing called a Tucker Sling that I would have LOVED to have discovered when Abigail was an infant. As for Reglan, see how your baby does if you try it. Some do fine, some go crazy.

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bf.jpg


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya