Could this be reflux? If not what might it be?

Question

My daughter is 4 months old, and she always seems to spit up. It's not hardly ever just a little bit of spit up either. She always seems to stiffen up her body. Like I will be feeding her, and I will take the bottle away after 2-3 oz. to burp her. Sometimes, she will start crying, but she almost always stiffens her body up. I try to sit her up in my lap to burp her, but it's hard sometimes because she stiffens up her body so much. I can't even use those little burp cloths or anything cause there is so much. I have to use a recieving blanket when I feed her. She has soaked my pants with spit up so many times. As for my couch, thank God for that stain resistant stuff I had put on it. She has a Dr. appt. on Monday, and I am going to ask the Dr. for sure, but I was just wondering what ya'll might think it is. Thanks in advance for any help.

She keeps down enough that she isn't dehydrated. I mean, she wet plenty of diapers, the indside of her mouth is wet, and her soft spot isn't sunken in, which is all the things they say to watch for for dehydration. This has been going on for a while, but it seems like it has gotten worse. She used to be on Enfamil and I changed her to Nestle Good Start hoping it was the formula, and it seemed like it got better for a few days, but then was about the same as before I switched formulas. I didn't really know how much spit up to expect because my first one was breastfed and hardly ever spit up. But I just got to the point where I was like this can't be normal.

Answer 1

Sounds like it could be reflux. My son had it really badly as a baby. There are lots of ways to treat reflux but the doctor will need to establish first why it is happening. It can mean a lot of tests for your baby. Reflux babies should always be kept as upright as possible. Their cot should be on a 30 degree angle and you should feed them, change them as upright as possible. This is to stop them throwing up a lot which can irritate their oesophagus. Good luck ,I'm sure the doctor will be able to help you. When I had really bad days I would just be grateful that it was only reflux and it does go away eventually!

Answer 2

My son starting to spit up and in my opinion it was too much. Everyone said that being a first time mom I was over reacting. Then I was told it was a laundry problem and not a baby problem. I finally got fed up when he started to projectile vomit and took him to the Children's Hospital immediately. He was admitted and sent for an ultrasound and by 2pm the next day he was in surgery. He had something called pyloric stenosis. It is the muscle (pylorus) at the end of the stomach that grew too quickly. It closed off his stomach and the breast milk couldn't get through. I was told if he was on formula it may not have been detected right away. I would have probably been advised to change formulas. We were lucky and his electrolytes were only down a bit and he wasn't dehydrated. I'm glad I was a 'crazy' new mom and listened to my own gut feeling. He is absolutely wonderful now and seldom spits up at all. I hope this is not your case but trust yourself. You know your baby better than anyone.

Answer 3

She may have an allergy to what you are feeding her. Try using a soy formula rather than milk maybe goat milk would work. Are giving her cold formula? if you are that could be the problem. How long has she had the problem? if it just started look for things that have changed in her food. Even if you determine the cause before your Dr appt discuss it then there maybe something else. Best of Luck

Answer 4

Please, don't let the doctor try to "excuse" it away. There is something wrong-and this doctor needs to do an ultrasound, x-rays, whatever is needed to get to the reason this is happening. ASAP! The digestive tract is of concern to me, and her intestines, etc. From the time food goes into the mouth, all the way to the other end, the digestive juices are working. Is there a children's hospital in your area? And, please, keep after (nicely, but firmly) this doctor, get referrals to a more specialized doctor if you feel the need to. Gastrointestinal doctor, I would think. Something along that line, if needed. Also, ask if your little one needs to be hospitalized till after tests are run, for dehydration (only if necessary). I wish you and your little one the best. Take care.

Answer 5

My son did the same thing you might want to ask your doctor about a pro sobee formula she could having trouble digesting the milk,also try smaller bottles more frequently.

Answer 6

It sounds like reflux, but neurological problems can result in symptoms like projectile vomiting in baby's.Vomiting can be caused by:
pain,pyloric obstruction/stenosis,appendicitis,electrolyte imbalance,hepatitis, heart failure,increased intracranial pressure,migraine headache,peritonitis,renal and urological disorders,
He can dehydrate, so I would suggest to take him to ER as soon as possible. I wouldn't wait till monday.
It might be serious..you need to check out if his vomitus has blood, bile,is it undigested, brown.Infants can aspirate vomitus,as the result of his immature gag and cough reflexes, So position him on his side or abdomen and clear any vomitus immediately.

Answer 7

Could be a lot of different things. Something is definitely not agreeing with her if she is projectile vomiting. The doc can help to determine what the problem might be. Probably something simple....

Answer 8

well, my son did the same thing, and the doctor swore it wasnt reflux, but i totally still think it was... i changed his formula a million times, and finally, good start worked to control it a little.

Answer 9

sounds like it to me. u can buy special formula now for reflux babies, it is better to use this than continue breastfeeding as the babe will not be in so much discomfort