Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

The PED mentioned DD has reflux at her appt. last week. She said it off the cuff like, "Oh, she has reflux" when DD spit up and kind of coughed when I layed her down on the exam table.

I've noticed that every time I lay DD down to be changed she does this. It's not alot of spit-up, and it occurs whether she just ate or even when it's been hours since she nursed. Otherwise she's not a big spitter at all.

The Dr. didn't seem concerned at all- just told me to keep her upright for one half hour after she eats (THAT sucks for the middle of the night feedings).

She shows no signs of discomfort during the day. BUT every night she's witchy (hence the avatar). I'm wondering if there is true discomfort, or it's just a witching hour. She calms down in a warm bath, but will cry once we take her out. She'll nurse, but *fight* with the boob (crying on the breast, suckling, then choking, then crying).

Today she was all around fussy, but once *witching hour* hit- OMG she was a monster. Just as I was reaching my wits end, she calmed down (I swaddled her) enough for me to put her down with her mobile and she eventually fell asleep.

Am I looking at colic, reflux, or just a normal witching hour?

Re: Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

It's probably a mixture of reflux and a witching hour, persay. Your ped. probably said it nonchalantly because all babies experience reflux to some degree, that's what spitting up is. If you notice she is fussy while eating, as hard as it is, try to feed her more upright. Easier to do with a bottle fed baby. If you don't already have a bouncy seat, I'd invest in one to put her in after feedings. We finally had to because Ava also needed to be help upright for 30 minutes, and we'd get nothing done all day except for feeding and holding her up. Finally I realized I could use the bouncy seat for that. If it only bothers her in the evening, it could be a build up of stomach acid over the course of the day, or like I said, just a witching hour. Many babies have them, and it's not uncommon. I forget how old she is, but what I started to do for Ava was give her water for her bad constipation around 7 or 8 weeks old. Consequently, that helped neutralize the acid in her stomach so that she was more comfortable from the reflux. HTH

Re: Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

Sounds like maybe a bit of both? My DD has reflux - but enough it bothers her on and off all day and she is now on meds for it.

My ped told me many babies have reflux and most don't need to do anything for it other than sit them up after feedings. I find that the bouncer seat helps a lot for that - or the swing works too.

If she has reflux it might bother her she might react to it more when she is already fussy during her witching hour.

Re: Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

interesting...i won't be much help but what you describe is exactly my DD from the fighting with the boob to quieting down just for a bath. she spits up from time to time too and is EBF. i looked up reflux and it seems a lot more intense than just spitting up here and there if thats what your DD is doing. i was convinced my DD had colic but i think it's really just a witching hour that she is SLOWLY growing out of b/c i do see slight improvement. during the nighttime feedings does your DD go right back to sleep or is she uncomfortable? mine goes right down (most of the time!) it's really hard to say at this age. (my DD is 9 wks)

Re: Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

Reflux is also used to describe spitting up in general. What you're describing is in fact reflux, but what us girls on here are treating our "reflux" babies for is GERD (at least in my case.) Many kids with normal reflux outgrow it. Keeping them in the upright position does help alot.

Re: Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

Christopher has both Colic and reflux.
By changing bottles, to Dr. Brown's, putting rice in the bottles and formula change to Nutramigen...HELPED.
He was put on Zantac, but that did NOTHING.

Re: Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

ds like me has reflux but doesn't seem bothered by it. he does projectile vomit from time to time, cough and gag, and kind of choke on his own saliva. he used to get weird on the boob too. here's what i do to help him:

- put him in the bouncy chair after day time meals for at least 30 minutes.

- for night time i have him sleeping on a wedged positioner (if u use a crib then you can prop up the mattress a bit.) this way the acid doesn't come up in their throats and mouth.

- i burb him frequently during eating.

good luck!

Re: Reflux mommies....(long- but thanks for any insight)

If thickening his current formula doesn't help, try Alimentum.