So my 2 1/2 month old has been diagnosed by barium swallow to have acid reflux. She's also very gassy, with tummy pains. The prescription they gave her so far does not seem to be helping, shes got a follow up doctors appointment later this week, so we'll see if they're going to try a different one instead. We have tryed many other things to help make her more comfortable, but nothings made a difference. A lot of people have been telling me to give her chamomile tea, but she did not like it at all!! She is exclusively breastfed, so I've been drinking it to transfer, but I'm not sure how much to drink for it to be enough to benefit her...anyone know or have any experiences with this?
TIA!
I agree with the gripe water or gas drops. I have not heard of giving an infant that young anything other than formula or breastmilk.
You should also keep in mind that it is possible that something you are eating is transferring to her and causing the reflux. My SIL was breastfeeding an AR baby, and had to switch to special AR formula.
Chamomile tea isn't everyone's favorite, nor is it the best for tummy upset. It's good for destressing and relaxing.
Fennel tea, however, is WONDERFUL for tummy upset in infants. In many countries, they sell it in the baby aisle for babies! I used to buy mine in Germany.
It has a pleasant taste and smell. I'm sure you can find it at a local healthfood store.
I have a daughter who has severe reflux and I can tell you that chamomile tea did nothing. I tried pretty much everything out there and the only things that worked for us:
1. Cutting all dairy out of my diet while breastfeeding. I think I read that 80% of all infants with reflux also have a dairy sensitivity. The fact that your daughter is also gassy points to a sensitivity of some kind. Try cutting out all dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, sour cream, etc.) for several weeks and see if it helps.
2. Always having her sleep on an incline. That meant raising the head of her crib by 8" and never lying her down flat. Ever. Also, keeping her upright for 45 minutes after eating.
3. A pediatric chiropractor. My daughter went for alignments every few weeks for about six months and the difference was amazing.
Zantac didn't work, Prevacid didn't work, Prilosec looked like it was going to work, but then didn't. Chamomile tea didn't work. I never tried fennel tea so can't comment on that one.
Yeah, I second fennel tea. I am from Europe and it is a staple there. They even make an instant version for babies so you don't have to deal with actually brewing the tea.
We do not give it by "transfer" - I don't think that works. We just give a baby a little bit (usually no more than an ounce) by bottle.
HOWEVER - it is supposed to be given for "tummy upset" or "colic" or "gas". There is no scientific evidence that it actually works - and YOUR child has actually been diagnosed with reflux, a medical condition, so I would talk to your doctor before you give her anything in addition to her medication. Even herbs and nutritional supplements, if you give them to your baby directly, can interfere with her medication.
Good luck!
Before giving your tiny infant herbal tea, start with a product made for babies-gripe water. I like Welement's brand, made from organic fennel and ginger. It's made to ease gas, fussiness, tummy discomfort in babies. That and gas drops, like Mylecon, could make a world of difference when used around feedings and sleep times, in conjunction with the prescription from your doctor.
Who are "a lot of people"? If they aren't doctors, don't give a 10 week old tea. What did your ped say about tea in the breastmilk?
Since you are breastfeeding, look into what you need to be eating (and not eating) to help. Sit her in her carseat to sleep so that she isn't laying flat.
Ask the doc if warm compresses against her tummy might help. If you don't have a pediatric gastroenterologist, get one. It sounds like you will need one her first year.
Good luck!
Dawn
I second the suggestions for gripe water and chiropractic adjustments!
I hope your little one feels better soon!
Chamomile tea is safe for babies. I use one tea bag of chamomile and tea bag of mint for flu and colds or sinus infections. when my granddaughter was a baby she would get a sinus infection with every tooth and giving her chamomile and mint tea helped get rid of the infection. We would just make a potfull and give it to her in a bottle. Make sure you let it cool a little.
Mint is also good for tummys.
I don't know if this would be attractive to you but here goes: have you considered pediatric chiropractic or craniosacral therapy?
The reason I ask is that we took our son for adjustments from when he was 2 weeks until he was about 3 years pretty regularly. The pediatric chiro we worked with, Dr. Elise Hewitt, (she is on the Board of Directors for the Integrative Pediatrics Council and is the President of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics and as the Pediatrics Council representative to the American Board of Clinical Specialties.) She gave me a lot of information which I studied; there have been great successes with pediatric chiropractic and treating reflux.
Consider having your doctor refer you to a pediatric chiropractor in your area. It's worth a shot and can make a world of difference.
