Can you have reflux but still be a happy baby and not spit up?

My DD has her 3 month appt. next Friday, but I am debating going in today. I had posted before that the last couple of days she has been refusing alot of breastfeeding sessions. She latches on for a few minutes and then pulls off and cries like she is in pain. She also is very gassy, hiccups, coughs, is congested all the time, etc. The thing is that she really doesn't spit up all that much, and other then during the feedings, she is an overall very happy baby. She does sleep well at night, although the last 2 nights she has been up more frequently. She has taken a few pumped bottles without crying, I am wondering if it could be reflux and she takes the bottles because I am able to feed her at a more upright position.

Is is possible to be happy most of the day and not spit up much, but have reflux? I am getting concerned that she isn't getting enough to eat.

Re: Can you have reflux but still be a happy baby and not spit up?

I don't have an personal experience with reflux, but from what I know from the friends who do, a baby with reflux will scream and cry with every feeding, spit up a lot, including projectile vomiting, and be very miserable.
From what you describe, it does not sound like reflux.
You might have a very forceful let down, and that is why she cries after a couple of minutes, and not with a bottle. Or, it may take a few minutes for your let down to happen, and she it getting frustrated. How long does it take for your milk to let down when you pump? What does she do after the initial cry? Do you put her back on the breast?
Why are you concerned she is not getting enough?

ETA: she may also take bottles because they are "easier" than nursing.

Message edited 9/25/2009 2:01:50 PM.

Re: Can you have reflux but still be a happy baby and not spit up?

I'm not sure that it is the let down because sometimes it happens before the letdown and sometimes after. And sometimes I feel the letdown and she doesn't pull off at all. Once she pulls off and starts crying, I continue to try to put her back on. She will for a few minutes, and then the cycle will start all over again. I'm concerned she's not getting enough because with all the pulling off, she probably is getting that much milk per session. We eventually stop because I feel like I am torturing her.

If I really feel like she didn't get much, that's when we do the bottle.

Message edited 9/25/2009 2:03:58 PM.

Re: Can you have reflux but still be a happy baby and not spit up?

Re: Can you have reflux but still be a happy baby and not spit up?

I think that reflux can present differently in different kids - just like kids respond differently to different medicines.

Both of my DD's had reflux and both were happy spitters. My older DD's ONLY reflux symptom was that she spit up more than an hour after eating (sometimes it would be clear - just stomach fluid) and she would be smiling while it was happening. Zantac made her worse, Axid made a world of difference.

My friends daughter also had reflux and had some of the more typical symptoms - arching of the back, stuffiness, her breath smelled like vomit, etc.

I am a big believer in the "mommy voice" in your head and if you think something isn't right, it probably isn't. Go with your gut

Re: Can you have reflux but still be a happy baby and not spit up?

My DD has reflux and she was happy and sleeping well. Feedings were a nightmare, she rejected bottles, she spit up constantly, hiccups, burps, and regurgitating into her throat. Zantac and Alimentum helped.

Message edited 9/25/2009 3:59:14 PM.