Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

So we saw the Ped GI today - I had made an appt when some of you told me there may be a long wait - but they saw us right away this week, which is good.
The good news is that there was no blood in his poop today so the Alimentum seems to be working. He wants him to just be on the RTF for the time being. I think the RTF is such a pain and I think powder is easier, but ok. He said the reason he is still so miserable is he has really bad reflux. He's always had this heavy breathing/sort of wheeze and dr. gave me the long medical name and said that reflux babies had it.
He was very thorough in examining him. When he had him flat on the table he said he was arching even then - I could not even see him arching - I told him that was nothing to compared when I see him arching - he literally catapults out of my arms. He said he should never be flat on his back besides changing him.
He still wants him on prevacid for the time being even though he's not sure it's working that well. He added a medication - a suspension liquid that will coat his esophagus and will hopefully prevent the acid from burning his esophagus - this one has to be given 4 times a day at least half hour after meals - so prevacid pill 2x a day before meals - this med 4x after - what a pain!
This is the part I'm upset about - he asked how much he ate at a feeding and I told him for most part, minimum 5+ ounces - sometimes close to six, once or twice seven. He told me we were probably overfeeding him and he should have no more that 4.75 ounces (including oatmeal) at a feeding. He told me that at this age, it's normal and fine for him to want to eat every two hours. Ummm - I don't have to be a doc to know that a formula fed 8 week old should not be hungry for food every two hours. I know my son - I know when he's hungry for more, I know when he's not hungry and not interested in the bottle.
I hate to sound selfish, but the one break I get all day long is when he sleeps his longest stretch which is after his evening bottle - he'll go around 5-6 hours without eating then! I am not going to have him wake up every two hours to eat! My ped has absolutely no problem with the amount he eats - at times when he's been hungrier, he says it's prob a growth spurt. I do trust the GI and his knowledge and he was recommended by my ped who I love - but babies aren't textbooks. He was like - his stomach is only 5.2 ounces big so he should only have 4.75 ounces at a feeding max Being that he has NEVER thrown up a whole, half, or even quarter bottle - I think he can take it. I'm going to ask my ped about it tomorrow but I still think I should feed him more at night.

What do you guys think? What would you do?

If you made it this far, thanks so much!!!

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

I agree with you and would continue feeding him what you are.

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

My concern though is I wonder if the amount of food could be contributing to the reflux? I can lighten up on the food during the day and see if Jordan doesn't freak, but I NEED him to sleep in the evening!!! I don't want to lie to the GI either. We see him again in a week - he wants me to call with an update on Friday.

BTW - he's been eating 5+ ounces for almost 4 weeks now!!

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

I'm glad he no longer has blood in his poop, that's such a huge thing! YAY!
As for the reflux, I'm glad you went to the GI and got something else to help him. It does get better, I promise. Ava probably could have used something like that, but when she was little, they didn't even like prescribing prevaid, let alone anything else for the babies. So hopefully it helps
Also, you know him the best, if he needs to eat more, then he needs to eat more. You're right, not all babies are text books. You need to hear everything the doctors say and then figure out if it really is what you feel is right

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

Posted by prncsslehcar

I'm glad he no longer has blood in his poop, that's such a huge thing! YAY!
As for the reflux, I'm glad you went to the GI and got something else to help him. It does get better, I promise. Ava probably could have used something like that, but when she was little, they didn't even like prescribing prevaid, let alone anything else for the babies. So hopefully it helps
Also, you know him the best, if he needs to eat more, then he needs to eat more. You're right, not all babies are text books. You need to hear everything the doctors say and then figure out if it really is what you feel is right

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

The problem is that he still IS having problems - the reflux problems which is what the GI thinks is the main problem now since the Alimentum seems to be working for the milk sensitivity.

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

Posted by brownie

Posted by mrswask

The problem is that he still IS having problems - the reflux problems which is what the GI thinks is the main problem now since the Alimentum seems to be working for the milk sensitivity.

Then eating the smaller meals might help. I have reflux (I know, I'm an adult) and it makes a big difference when I eat smaller more frequent meals compared to a big meal. I do think what the GI told you sounds like good advice...see if you can try it for a few days to see how your son feels. Hang in there...

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

I can def try it during the day and see what happens but my instinct is to still give a bigger bottle for the evening feed - not HUGE - but a little more. So, if he doesn't cry at two hour mark during the day do I still wait until 3-4 hour mark to feed if he's not hungry at two (which is unlikely)

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

I would offer it to him...at least if he has some he'll eat smaller meals...the evening one sounds fine (not huge, but bigger)

Hope you find something that works for you

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

Posted by brownie

Posted by mrswask

The problem is that he still IS having problems - the reflux problems which is what the GI thinks is the main problem now since the Alimentum seems to be working for the milk sensitivity.

Then eating the smaller meals might help. I have reflux (I know, I'm an adult) and it makes a big difference when I eat smaller more frequent meals compared to a big meal. I do think what the GI told you sounds like good advice...see if you can try it for a few days to see how your son feels. Hang in there...

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

I'm glad the formula is working. I agree with PPs that you should try smaller, but more frequent meals. That may help his discomfort.

That's interesting to read about the breathing being related to reflux. As a newborn and infant, DS was a very heavy breather. It always sound like he had something in his chest even when he was healthy. He had reflux too though not nearly as severe as your DS. I never realized the breathing could be related to reflux.

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

I'd give him smaller amounts/wake him up during the day to eat and see how long he'll go at night.

DS is currently recovering from a stomach bug and we're feeding him less right now, more frequently, and he's still sleeping pretty decently through the night.

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

Miki-

So glad you got him checked out. I would try to cut back a little on the food during the day like you suggested. Perhaps that will help him. I am no expert but if the doctor feels that he is eating too much, perhaps just cut back a little and see how he does. If he is crying for more food, then you know he needs the larger amount you've been giving him.

I hope Jordan feels better soon. Poor little man.

Re: Jordan Update - Saw Ped GI Today (long)

I wouldn't wake him to eat. You need your rest too. With Emma, my theory was that she'd wake if she was hungry. But maybe try the smaller amounts during the day- 4.75 is not substantially less than what he already gets. But defiitely follow up with the ped and get his/her input. Good luck!