I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???****UPDATED****

I know that i don't post much about Ds #2. I almost can't take it anymore. Honestly there is SOMETHING wrong with him, I just can't figure out exactly what.

If I give him a bottle straight, he gags, spits up and it even comes out his nose sometimes, with which he screams in pain I started to put cereal in his bottle at 5 weeks (which is what I did with Ds #1 because he always threw up his bottle). It helped at first, but as the weeks go on he is gassier and gassier and constantly crying for at LEAST 1 hour after a bottle if not more. He stools are getting harder and his gas is insane. Now I think it is from the cereal, but if I don't put in the cereal every now and again, he screams from the reflux and it comes out his mouth/nose.

I HATE the idea of meds Does it sound like he may need them? I have him on Similac Sensitive for fussiness/gas but it is obviously not helping. I give mylicon in every bottle plus sometimes in his mouth. It only helps a little bit. I have switched bottles - no improvement at all. I go to the pediatrician next week. Are there any tests they can do? I hate the idea of meds without knowing for certain, KWIM?

I don't even know exactly what I am asking here, but all I know is I need help. I know he is in pain. I know I need some sleep. I just don't know what to do/ what it is. Any insight/advice/suggestions?

ETA - He is 9 weeks, 10 on monday

***UPDATE****

Well, my little meatball at 2 mos old is already 13.6lbs

The PED agreed that he has reflux and prescribed AXID. He wanted me to increase the ceral, but I told him my hesitation becuase of the gas/constipation, so he wants to try the enfamil AR now and see how it goes. Please it works out... I am going on day #2 of straight screaming This kid really knows how to make me feel like a crapppy mother

Message edited 1/14/2011 5:10:31 PM.

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

my ped said that the reflux meds are just like adults taking a tums... they are harmless!

IMO, if they make DS feel better & help to stop him from screaming crying at EVERY. BOTTLE. then i'm all for it!

i saw a big difference after 2 weeks on the meds & a formula change

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

see, Ds #1 threw up every.single.bottle. I started putting cereal in his bottle at 6 weeks and he was a new boy, problem solved. I started putting cereal in DS#2 bottle, and it seems he has delevoped constipation and gas.

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Ugh! I feel your pain. It sounds like reflux and then constipation from the cereal. My twins have bad reflux and I started rice cereal at 4mo and they both had bad constipation. You can try using AR formula that is pre-thickened. If he has a lactose intolerance (not saying he does, but if it turns out that is where the gas is coming from, then you won't be able to use the AR.
I recently started thickening with Simply Thick. It is a xantham gum mixture that works really well! But, it is expensive. You can make your own, but it isn't that easy.

Some kids do just need meds, if it is really bad. Make sure you get it taken care of, though. It can cause some feeding issues...we just started feeding therapy with DD.
I started mine on zantac, which helped, at first, but has since stopped working (even with the highest allowable dose). So, they are on Prilosec now (similar to Prevacid) and it is working great.

For more acid reflux info, you can check out www.marci-kids.com.

Hang in there!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Posted by shelby34

Ugh! I feel your pain. It sounds like reflux and then constipation from the cereal. My twins have bad reflux and I started rice cereal at 4mo and they both had bad constipation. You can try using AR formula that is pre-thickened. If he has a lactose intolerance (not saying he does, but if it turns out that is where the gas is coming from, then you won't be able to use the AR.
I recently started thickening with Simply Thick. It is a xantham gum mixture that works really well! But, it is expensive. You can make your own, but it isn't that easy.

Some kids do just need meds, if it is really bad. Make sure you get it taken care of, though. It can cause some feeding issues...we just started feeding therapy with DD.
I started mine on zantac, which helped, at first, but has since stopped working (even with the highest allowable dose). So, they are on Prilosec now (similar to Prevacid) and it is working great.

For more acid reflux info, you can check out www.marci-kids.com.

Hang in there!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Dina, I know you don't want to just medicate him, but even when I gave him that bottle, he reminded me completely of Sienna at that age-squirming, arching, spitting. I think he will really benefit from Zantac.

My dad said they can do an endoscopy but it is pretty invasive for a baby. I go to Sienna's ped Monday and I can ask them what tests they can do for a NB.

Many kisses to you and my little loves! I know how reflux and tummy issues can suck the joy out of the first 3 months!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Oh Dina!!!!!!!! I'm sorry little D is having some trouble!



Listening to an infant cry in pain is just so.. unnatural, it wears you down in a hurry.And while no one *wants* their baby on meds sometimes it's the RIGHT path. Their digestive systems are still so immature, if the ped recommends them (and you trust your doc) I'd go for it, it really might solve his problem!!

Shane was kinda fussy the first 3 months, he didn't have reflux but the feedings sounded similar; my mother suggested feeding him just slightly sooner than I was doing - if I recall correctly that really helped (plus the Mylicon, they were very helpful for S).

Good luck D and I hope the ped has some suggestions for you next week!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

DD had reflux. She was on Zantac and it helped. Also, make sure to keep him inclined after feeding (this was the biggest helper for us) and if necessary put a towel under crib mattress while sleeping to elevate too. I think you are right the cereal is probably what is making the gas worse IMO. DD also needed to be "cluster fed" because anything else would make it worse. HTH and good luck!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Dina, I know you don't want to just medicate him, but even when I gave him that bottle, he reminded me completely of Sienna at that age-squirming, arching, spitting. I think he will really benefit from Zantac.

My dad said they can do an endoscopy but it is pretty invasive for a baby. I go to Sienna's ped Monday and I can ask them what tests they can do for a NB.

Many kisses to you and my little loves! I know how reflux and tummy issues can suck the joy out of the first 3 months!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

If it is reflux, it usually helps to do smaller meals more often. I would try to give him a bottle before he even gives you hunger cues. It may be making more gas and discomfort because he is wolfing down his bottles.

Hope you find a solution soon

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Posted by 1stimemom

Posted by munchkinfacemama

Dina, I know you don't want to just medicate him, but even when I gave him that bottle, he reminded me completely of Sienna at that age-squirming, arching, spitting. I think he will really benefit from Zantac.

My dad said they can do an endoscopy but it is pretty invasive for a baby. I go to Sienna's ped Monday and I can ask them what tests they can do for a NB.

Many kisses to you and my little loves! I know how reflux and tummy issues can suck the joy out of the first 3 months!

no kidding.. the least I wanted was to enjoy my last one...

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

ok. ijust tied the gripe water, and the 1st bottle ever with no fussing!!!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Posted by Shelleybean11

If it is reflux, it usually helps to do smaller meals more often. I would try to give him a bottle before he even gives you hunger cues. It may be making more gas and discomfort because he is wolfing down his bottles.

Hope you find a solution soon

Message edited 1/8/2011 8:52:24 PM.

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

DS was the same exact way and it did turn out to be reflux.

We also changed formula 5X before finding the right one and he is now on Prevacid for the reflux and Enfamil Nutramigen. Both together have been a life changing experience for him and he is a happy baby now and eats 6oz bottles at a time.

I know Med's scares the heck out of you, I felt the same way but the med's for acid reflux are harmless and temporary. They saw must babies wean off of them when they start sitting up, but again it depends.

If you DC needs them, it's just what you have to do for them and for you.

Hang in there and once you get your DC on the right stuff, things while be so much better

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

ds was the same way, except he never spit up. He had silent reflux. But he would scream in pain before his bottle was even done. It was awful to watch.

he also had pooping problems. Was very constipated. He'd scream because of it. His GI doctor said that constipation often makes the reflux worse.

Once he went on zantac (saw a difference in 24 hours) and switched to Alimentum... my happy baby returned. It was a WORLD of difference.

I wasn't a fan of meds either, but my son clearly needed them. So you have to weigh the options... would you rather that he's in pain or on the meds? Keep in mind that when they're not on meds for reflux, it can actually cause more damage to their esophagus.

ETA: oh and one more thing- for my son, cereal made him more constipated. So that could be irritating the reflux as well. Hang in there!!!!!

Message edited 1/8/2011 9:16:30 PM.

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Posted by 1stimemom

Posted by shelby34

Ugh! I feel your pain. It sounds like reflux and then constipation from the cereal. My twins have bad reflux and I started rice cereal at 4mo and they both had bad constipation. You can try using AR formula that is pre-thickened. If he has a lactose intolerance (not saying he does, but if it turns out that is where the gas is coming from, then you won't be able to use the AR.
I recently started thickening with Simply Thick. It is a xantham gum mixture that works really well! But, it is expensive. You can make your own, but it isn't that easy.

Some kids do just need meds, if it is really bad. Make sure you get it taken care of, though. It can cause some feeding issues...we just started feeding therapy with DD.
I started mine on zantac, which helped, at first, but has since stopped working (even with the highest allowable dose). So, they are on Prilosec now (similar to Prevacid) and it is working great.

For more acid reflux info, you can check out www.marci-kids.com.

Hang in there!

thank you! He really is a good baby until he is hungry.. then he cries that he is hungry, then I feed him, he GULPS own his bottle (only 3-4 1/2 oz at a time) and SCREAMS for the next hour. I pat his back, rub his tummy, give the mylicon...

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

DD would spit up, cry and make terrible faces after she burped. She was put on nutramigen formula and medicine at 3 months. Eventually by about 9 months we were able to ween her from the medicine and has been fine since.

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

It sounds to me like he probably needs meds for reflux. I can understand your hesitancy towards meds, but my feeling was that it was preferable to a damaged esophagus and my DD being in so much pain. Prevacid is a miracle-worker - Zantac did nothing for my DD. DD was also on Alimentum, but for a milk protein allergy. I put rice in her bottle because Alimentum is very, very thin (only a few tsp for a full 8 oz bottle - not to make it thick, but just more comparable to regular formula). You could also use oatmeal or a different cereal - rice can be constipating though it was fine for my DD.

Message edited 1/9/2011 10:38:16 AM.

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Have you had him checked for dairy allergy? My son had the exact same symptoms and went on amino acid formula and never had reflux again. GL

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

It sounds like reflux for sure. Here is my recommendation ( I am a ped dietitian)

I would first try switching formulas to enfamil AR. The benefit is that the formula thickens in the belly, not the bottle. It has added rice starch, not rice cereal so it doesn't change nutrient profile or constipate baby. It souds like you will prob. need to add meds (zantac, etc.) to help stop the acid from burning babies esphogus.

If this doesn't help - should notice almost an immediete result - you will prob need to go to a hypoallergenic product such as nutramigen.

Some helpful hints:
Keep baby upright for 20min after feeding
elevate head of bed for naps/bed by placing books under one side of crib.
You may notice baby sleeps better in car seat or swing b/c of this.

HTH!!

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

My daughter was a premmie and had reflux issues. She was on medication and we put cereal in her bottle. Sometmes when you add cereal the flow is either too slow or too fast. So, check that out if you are still putting cereal in it. If it is too slow your child could get gas from sucking too much and the same if it is too fast. We end up having to put my daughter on Alimentum. The dr. perscribed it and we got it free through out insurance.

So, check the flow for the gass, maybe change the forumula, and what others have said it may be an allergy.

Oh, one more think. Make sure the bed it elevated. YOu can put books under the crib/

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Message edited 1/10/2011 12:09:05 AM.

Re: I need help please re: possiblr reflux/gas/colic???

Posted by OrganicMama

Posted by DRMom

Have you had him checked for dairy allergy? My son had the exact same symptoms and went on amino acid formula and never had reflux again. GL

I was wondering the same thing. I hope you figure it out soon and your DS gets some relief