baby reflux

 My poor little Rowan has developed reflux right at the two week mark. He rarely spits anything up, but after feeding he writhes, arches his back, turns red, etc..he is so very uncomfortable. I've figured out how to nurse him in an upright position, we keep him upright for 30 mins after feeding and he's started prilosec. we've also elevated the head of his crib. The throat clearing/coughing sounds he makes, especially when he's trying to sleep, are just heartbreaking. Other than what I'm already doing, does anyone have any suggestions??

I'm so sorry!  It's hard to seem them suffering from Reflux, but it DOES get better!  I lined my sofa with towels, as Everett projectile vomits as well.  I also wear dish towels over my shoulders most of the day.  Zantac has helped some.  Smaller, more frequent feedings help the most (2 ozs every 2 hrs or more).  I've also started adding probiotics to his evening bottle and that helps quite a bit with digestion (check with your ped first though).  In addition, a lactose-free formula can provide relief.  We use Similac Sensitive, but Enfamil makes one and GoodStart works great for a lot of babies.  Since you're nursing, I do believe there are adjustments to YOUR diet that you can make that *may* improve symptoms.

Everett still makes a lot of noise in his sleep, but the coughing has gotten better.

I hope Rowan finds relief soon!  Please feel free to PM if there's anything I can do.

Hugs,

 Thankfully, he doesn't vomit! We have moved to smaller, more frequent feedings. He either nurses for a total of 15-20 minutes (if we do that he wants to eat about every hour) or he gets 2 oz expressed milk in a bottle. I'm trying to probiotic as well (l. reuteri), but the pedi said that was more for colic and probably won't help. I figure it can't hurt!

I just wanted to comment that I am naming my baby Everett Patrick Stephen Layne.  I noticed that your baby is Everett also.  I am having my c-section August 20.  Do you all use gas drops at all?  God bless, Penni

Hey, nice name choice! DH loved the name Everett all along, but I didn't. It wasn't until we were headed to L&D that I agreed on the name. Now, I can't imagine calling him anything else!

I tried Mylicon with all of my babies and it never seemed to provide any relief.

Hugs,

Bailey had this problem and I had her sleep in her carseat in the bassinet or crib - really it was the only thing that really helped at night :(

 Rowan HAAAATES his car seat. I wish he would be willing to sleep in it!

Sounds like you are doing pretty much all that is advised.   Her pedi. named off a huge list of food that I should avoid.  I wish I could remember all that was on it.  I do remember he wanted me to avoid anything greasy, spicy, and that had a lot of dairy.  Hannah was on axid and reglan for 6 months.She was also on an apnea monitor for about 3 months. Her reflux was so bad that it interferred with her breathing. Once she started sitting up it pretty much went away.  Now at 17 months it's beginnging to come back.  We are trying to figure out what foods cause it and avoid those instead of putting her back on meds.  Right now her main trigger is oranges or orange juice.
I hope Rowan outgrows his reflux soon!
Amy
 

  I was really worried about his breathing, so I even took him to the after hours pedi on Saturday morning. She listened to his noises and said she felt that he had the ability to clear his airway on his own, and that even though is various coughs and gurgles sound terrible, they're a good sign. 
They did suggest I avoid spicy/tomato foods and the lactation consultant said I should avoid dairy and soy, which sucks because that's like half my diet right there! I'm not cutting dairy and soy out totally, but I am reducing both, so we'll see if that also helps.

Ohhh I'm so sorry to hear that Rowan has reflux.  I hate that for ya'll. 

Our DD#1 had extreme GERD.  (almost to the point of surgery).  Our DD#2 had mild GERD (went away at 6 months old).  I know pretty much the in's and out's of reflux.  Puke fest was the name of our house!  We had a great pediatric gastroenterolgist that treated our 2 girls along side our regular pedi.

Do what you're pedi says and hang in there.  Most babies grow out of it once they start sitting up on their own.  It's so stressfull......but if I can survive 2 reflux babies......and prolly 1 more reflux baby on the way....you can do it too!

Check out this website.....it helped us alot!  http://www.infantreflux.org/

Hugs,
Ash :)