Help with Acid Reflux

We had the same problem. I found that giving them some probiotics for babies really helped. I found them at Whole Foods. I think the brand was Natren. Good luck!

J. Cafferty
www.glutenfreeclasses.com

Take her to a GI doc. Get it straigt from the "horses-mouth" so to speak. Only a doctor can give the correct diagosis: not someone's sister, cousin or friend. When ever a child may have a MEDICAL CONDITION do not rely on anyone but a medical professional.

Same problem with our baby around the same age. He also developed a brutal cough, for which he was given a breathing treatment and prescribed a mess of meds for. We opted to not return to THAT pediatrician, and when we found our new one he gave our boy Zantac and within 2 weeks he was a million times better. By 6 months or so he was off the Zantac and he is a healthy, juicy, nearly 2 year old who eats what doesn't eat him first.
He was also nursed for his for the better part of a year, I know some say that could contribute. I cut out beans, broccoli, cabbage etc but only b/c our older son was very very gassy. In any case spicy food, chocolate and dairy didn't bother him. Wishing you relief!
BTW, the answer that discusses the chiropractor, Reflux is actually caused by the esophageal sphincter not being fully closed a t birth, so the acid backs up and burns the throat and esophagus. In a few months time it should close. Simple as that.
Oh and as far a sleep training, not until 4 months. I know its so hard but 2 kids is sooooo many more than 1. I can be a bit of a shock. An unbelievably exhausting SHOCK!!!!

Have you looked into CranioSacral therapy?

It's hard to distinguish between a high need baby, a colicky baby and acid reflux. My son was finally diagnosed with acid reflux at 4 months. He would start crying around 9am and cry most of the day, then in spurts all night. Walking him, holding him, swinging him and rocking him did not help. Cutting out dairy and eggs helped, but it took 4 weeks to see a difference. The doc eventually put him on Axid, a prescription medicine for acid reflux. He continued to wake up many times at night and during the day until he was over a year old. Even with the medicine, if I would consume any dairy or eggs, he would spit up and cry. Because your daughter sleeps when you hold her, it makes me think that she's a high need baby or colicky baby rather than having acid reflux. In any case, your pediatrician has a checklist of symptoms. If your daughter had a certain number of symptoms they may have you try an antacid for 3 days. If there is a dramatic change, they'll give you a prescription. The prescrption meds are supposed to be safe for long term use. My son did outgrow acid reflux and went off the medicine at around 14 months. He's fine now but I would still consider him to be a high need child who needs more nurturing than some other kids I've known. If your daughter is simply a high need baby, she just needs you to hold her more than your son did. All kids have different needs. Looking back, I'm glad I held my son all the time. The household chores will be there forever, but my son was only a baby for a short time. Best of luck with your beautiful new girl!

Have you tried putting her down for a nap in her infant seat, a swing, or a stroller? She would be on an incline and might be more comfortable in one of these naturally inclined positions. My daughter did not have reflux, but did not sleep except in her infant seat or swing (or if we were holding her) for her first few months. Newborns just don't like to be put down! But eventually they get better at sleeping on their own. Just try to make sure that you and the baby are okay; the housework can wait!

Best,
R.

I feel for you! Our 2nd had serious reflux and it was hard. Both our kids had reflux, but our 1st basically spit up a lot and preferred to sleep in his bouncy chair (more upright) and everything was good. Our 2nd was MISERABLE and screamed all the time like she was in pain. I think it started earlier than 6 weeks, but it's all a bit of a blur. She also projectile vomited for many months. During this time, I cut EVERYTHING out of my diet, and read and tried about everything. The doc gave us Zantac which didn't help, but Prevacid worked miracles after about a month I think. She was 5 or 6 months old by that time and she suddenly became such a happy baby. We tried to take her off it at 8 months, but within 2 weeks she was miserable again, so she finally stopped taking it around 11 months.

All babies are different, so I'm just sharing my experience. I hope it helps. It will get better. Good luck!!!

My son had acid reflux at about the same age. There's something about a valve on the top of the stomach that sometimes takes longer to grow to shut. I took him to the pediatrician, who gave him Axid. I gave it him three times a day before he ate. It worked wonders! I'd recommend talking to you doctor.

Hi Stephanie,

How do you know it's acid reflux? I have 3 boys 2,4,8 and my 4th due in May....So I do have a little many to compare too. They are ALL diffrent and slept diffrent also. I had some that nursed every few months forever it seemed and one that slept through the night but didn't take many (long naps when a baby) Regarding the acid reflux....my 2nd had projectial vomiting...Gross.... It showed up about this time your in too....good news is it went a way in a month or so!!!! The doctor explained it to me as the valve the closes the esophagus spelled wrong...was imature...Well she was right...so just keep plugging away..I had two of my boys like that....not wanting to be put down. They did MUCH better if they could see me. Use the swing or portable rocker/bouncy seat...I had them all over my house...I also used the car seat just threw a blanket in it..I liked that to with the throw upper...that he was upright and it was easy clean up!! My second eventually got into the swing of a regualr nap schedule...Just keep plugging away and wait for the sleep signs then put her in for a nap..My kids are the BEST sleepers and it's due to them being on schedule with betime, naptime and meals ...with in reason! Good luck hope this helps!!!
D.

The house can wait...it'll always be there. This child NEEDS to be held! She will not learn a pattern to be held. She is made to need you, her mother. Your job is to nurture and love her. It has helped me to know that while doing housework, etc...the interruptions ARE my work! Do not let her cry for 20 mins. At this age, way too long. That is a two year old thing.

Call the doctor. she is still so young, she is working things out.

I know it is frustrating...Let the world go by and enjoy your baby. this time will be over and gone before you know it. You can never get it back. xo

Your baby is 6 weeks old. Some call this the "4th trimester" because babies neurological systems are still very immature. She is too young to be "manipulating" you. Comfort her, hold her, put the housework on hold if you must.

Two things helped us. Have her sleep in the bouncy seat and Prevacid. I changed up my diet and then went through the whole line of formulas until I got to the really expensive one. Her doctor put her on Prevacid which the specialist then increased. No other medicine or trick worked. She out grew the acid reflux and was off of it once she got to be one. good luck

I teach Infant massage and it greatly helps with this. Let me know if you would like more info.
Best Regards
Kris
www.aspecialbond.org

You may want to take a look at the Nap Nanny: http://www.napnanny.com/

I am currently expecting my first and I've already purchased this because of the phenomenal things I've heard and read about it.

Good luck!

Consider adding probiotics to both of your diets if she is getting a bottle of expressed milk. Check out my article on the Chicago Examiner Family Health:

http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

You can also search infant probiotics on www.bodyecology.com and why infants need them.

They can be purchased at www.smartbomb.com called FloraBaby by Renew Life.

Good Luck and definitely hold her for comfort, especially if she is in pain from the reflux; it takes 12 wks for the little tykes to get adjusted to our world.

J. W. MPH
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert

Your best bet is to find a chiropractor who works with children or a cranialsacral therapist. Acid reflux is a malfunction of the nervous system governing the digestive system. There are two tiny openings exiting the skull that ennervate the digestive and respiratory systems. If there is even a little bit of a subluxation it has profound effects. I don't know where you live but I highly recommend Chiropractic First in Evanston. Drs Liz and Dan are terrifc and are always working with children. Also, importantly, they practice something called Network Chiropractic and it is extraordinarily gentle. Cranialsacral is also super gentle yet highly effective. Check out Upledger.com to find a therapist in your area.

try cutting out the dairy in your diet to see if her reflux improves

She's probably already learned to cry and you'll come save her. Stop now. Reflux can be caused from eating too fast or taking in too much air. Doesn't mean acid. Try putting a small soft (folded ) blanket under the top half of her mattress. It'll raise her up maybe enough to let the fluids settle without coming up. Good luck.

Y A,

My son had acid reflux, also. There was nothing that I could do to soothe him. He liked to lay in a reclined position up against my body. You WILL NOT spoil your baby at 6 weeks old. Your pediatrician can tell you about that. It is not until they are older that they get "used to" being held (more like 5 months). At this time, just know your child needs you and take care of her. Eventually, the reflux will get better. Your house may have to suffer for a little while. But your house can get cleaned anytime.... (It was hard for me, too - but it did work out okay and I told myself that my house not being perfect was only temporary...) Good luck, I remember those times. It will get better!!!! :)

I know this is hard to hear, but she may be reacting to dairy. SOOO many of my friends (and I) have babies that can't tolerate dairy. For most it is the protein casein that they are reacting to. My own daughter was having HORRIBLE spit up until I cut out all dairy (I nursed her and cut dairy from my diet.) If you are formula supplementing, it's probably going to be harder to eliminate the dairy, but worth it. Also it takes 4-6 weeks before you see complete results, but I will say that I could see some improvement in sleeping, crying and spit-up within a couple of days.

As far as having to hold her while napping, you might try a swing (we had one of those papasan style ones and it was a lifesaver) or a sling or pouch carrier.

You can ask your pediatrician but there is also lots of evidence that babies with reflux sleep better on their tummies (and safer because of chance of aspirating the spit-up.)

Hope this helps. If you have questions, feel free to message me.

((hugs))
M.

My little guy with reflux slept great in his carseat! I would either buckle him in and rock him to sleep in it or once he was asleep snuggle him into it. I think it gave him the right amount of "snuggle" support and the right incline. That way I still got a break and I did not have to worry about him getting used to sleeping with me holding him. Good Luck.

When my 3rd child was born, she acted like your child. My sister told me my daughter was acting like her son who was diagnosed with acid reflex. She told me to ask the doctor for a prescription medicine (sorry can't remember the name). When she gave it to her son and when I gave it to my daughter, they acted totally different. My daughter did not spit up much. When I originally asked the doctor, he did not seem very interested in prescribing the medicine, but said if I wanted to try it he would prescribe it. I said I definitely wanted to try it. I am not a person who thinks you should give children lots of medicine and I rarely take aspirin for a headache. Both my sister and I had discussed the fussiness with the doctors prior and the doctors did nothing. My doctor explained acid reflux to a child is like adult heart burn and that is why they cry. The child may be still developing something inside their throat or esaphagus (sorry I can't remember details from 6 years ago). We didn't use the medicine long, but it was a huge benefit. Good luck

Have you talked to her pediatrician about this? It is concerning that she won't nap unless she is upright. Reflux is a big deal and can cause feeding problems. Talk to your pediatrician and get a gastroenterologist consult!