Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

My DS is only 2 weeks old but he's been having lots of problems eating. We took him to the Ped because he'll scream through a feeding like he's in pain -- he'll take a few sips and then almost like choke and start crying. We try burping him and he's screaming, kicking his legs out straight, arching his back, etc. When he get him to eat finally it sounds like he's about to puke it up (almost like dry heaving) and at least once a day he'll throw up an entire bottle after a feeding. He's also getting watery stools.

The Ped put him on Similac Alimentum for a milk/protein allergy the other day. It seemed to be working for the first day, but now he's doing the same things, still throwing up feedings, and has watery poops. We also tried putting Mylicon drops in his bottles for gas relief -- it only helps slightly though.

Anyone elses' DC have these issues? If so, what did your doctor determine it was and what did you do?? I'm so lost and he's not gaining ANY weight. I feel terrible when he screams and spits up...I practically cry through each feeding with him

Message edited 8/14/2009 5:49:23 PM.

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

I know how horrible it is to see DC in pain like that. It can take weeks for the milk to leave their system. The ped. should be checking the stool again to make sure it is getting better and there is less blood. Hang in there. Feel free to FM if you have any questions.

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

Oh gosh, I feel so horrible for you because I'm going through something similar. My dd is 5 weeks now but the first two weeks she gained nothing (I was bf'ing exclusively). She was crying all the time--except when eating! But b/c she wasn't gaining they have me supplementing and put her on Alimentium as well b/c they think she has reflux and a milk sensitivity. I have been told to have a completely dairy free diet too. I totally forgot one day and had some cheese and she spit up everything the whole next day. Ugh, so frustrating. The last 2 days were a lot better finally except today wasn't so great. She also won't sleep unless we are holding her. Good luck and keep posting how it's coming along for you. I thought I was the only one in this situation!

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

Ann is being EBF but has the same symptoms of your DC ... ped said it sounded like reflux and put her on Axid - so far has not really seemed to make all that much of a difference

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

In MY experience, it shouldn't take a few weeks for your child to adjust to the Alimentum because if it does, it means they have a true allergy to the milk protein and should be on an amino acid based formula or soy if they are not allergic to that, as well. Alimentum is still milk based, so if your child is allergic and not just sensitive to milk proteins, then it really won't help him/her. Again, I'm just speaking from my own experience as a parent who had an infant with a pretty serious milk protein allergy. She had all the same reactions as you stated to the Alimentum and it immediately stopped on Neocate. I could see a couple of days of adjusting, TOPS, but not a couple of weeks.

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

Well from my own experience, it does take a few weeks for all the milk to leave their system. Regardless of whether it's a true allergy or sensitivty, you may not see a change right away in your child. You also won't see the blood in the stool yourself. It is microscopic. The doctor will have you save stool samples that he can test in the office. If there are traces of blood it is positive and your child has a sensitivity/allergy to milk. My DD's became lighter (the test card) and lighter and eventually their was no sign of blood at all. I also saw a gastroenterologist during this time. They don't want you putting the baby on Elecare or another amino based formula unless it is absolutely necessary. My ped. told me it can take up to 6 weeks to totally leave their system. He was right.

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

We went through something similar, but it wasn't with all feedings, just two of them a day when she was about a month old. My doc said she had a mp allergy bc of blood in her stool, but that it was mild. I EBF, so I cut everything w dairy in it out of my diet, and I have alimentum on hand if I need it. It could very well be reflux too, though. Go to a gastro and see if he thinks it is reflux or allergy.

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

My son went through the same exact thing!! He would SCREAM during a feeding, arch his back and get stiff as a board. It was so sad feeding him and he would scream all the time because he was in constant pain. My dr. put him on Prevacid and Nutramigen. The Nutramigen has been a life-saver. He did outgrow this phase eventually but it took about 4 months. You should keep him completely upright during feeding and after feedings for atleast half hour. Also, burping after every 2 ounces is helpful as well. When he slept we kept him at an incline or on his side (Dr. recommendations) Good luck! I know it's so hard hearing your baby scream like that. It's absolutely heart-breaking!!! IT will get easier but it takes time-their little tummies have to get bigger!

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

My son went through the same thing. He is breastfed so I can't help with the formula questions. After some research I decided to take him to a chiropractor for his reflux. I think that helped a lot.

It may just take time. He's 5 months old now and is much better. Good luck. It does get better.

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

Sounds like reflux. DS has it as well, he's BFed but Alimentum should help your DS, but it will take a while. In addition your doc should prescribe something for him...they'll initially most likely give you Zantac. Most peds do, did nothing for DS. Went to see a gastroenteroligist and she prescribed him Prevacid. That's what worked. He still has his bad days but the pain is gone. Good Luck!

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

were you able to BF? my DS had reflux so my doc had to put him on zantac. He was better on Breastmilk , but I had to supplement(couldn't pump enough) and eventually move him to formula, he had a tough time on formula but once he hit 3 months he got better

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

My son was diagnosed with a MP allergy at 3 months old. He was arching his back, spitting up a very acid-y smelling liquid and just "wasn't right". We tried him on Alimentum and was worse so that was for all of 2 days.

The doctor prescribed Nutramigen and within 2 days we saw a difference. He is now 8 months old and and is doing great. Good luck!

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

we were having similar issues in the hospital (i was there for almost 2 weeks) and we switched from Similac to Enfamil and it got better...then at about 4 weeks....i noticed something similar happening again - so we went back to Enfamil. It got worse....she would lurch off of me during feedings and SCREAM!!!!!! I felt HORRID - as she'd do it every time she ate....

i went with my gut and got her on Similac Soy and since then it's been sooooooooooooooo much better! she still has slight vomit issues - but it's nothing like before. honestly - even when she vomits - she's not unhappy - she'll just open her mouth and out it comes. if you weren't looking at her when it happened - you'd have no idea she puked...

the doctor said he doesn't think she has a milk 'allergy' - but a sensitivity...

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

Abby has the same issues.. and now at 6 weeks we FINALLY got it right!

Long story short, She started on Similac but it caused her way too much diarrhea, tried similac soy, same problems. so the doctors suggested to try enfamil. so we started with gentlease she was doing great on that for about 3 weeks and then all of a sudden she had green diarrhea. The doctor said shes almost positive she has a sensitivity to the milk based formuals. to put her on Enfamil ProSobe. We got that and put her on the powder she had such issues (not only the gas problems that shes been having) but now she was spitting up she couldnt go to the bathroom. soooo... we tried RTF Enfamil ProSobe and shes anew baby!!! she does fantastic with it. its absolutely worth the extra 10$ a week to have the RTF. We also use Dr. browns bottles and mylicon every 6hours and shes been doing fantastic.

id give the prosobe a try. DD didnt do well with the Allimuntium and it was VERY expensive!

Re: Come in if your DC has reflux or a milk/protien intollerance

We've had similar problems and wound up trying many different formulas. The one that seems to help us the best is the Similac Sensitive R.S. It has added rice starch so it thickens in the stomach and my DD doesn't spit up as much.