Need help with 6 week old with Acid Reflux?

Question

A couple of weeks ago she had x-rays, which were helpful, as she was not having reflux at the time. I did find out, however, that she has a slow esophagus, too. Just this week, the doctor increased her Zantac (to correspond with her weight gain) and has me mixing cereal in her bottle (to help keep it down). Nevertheless, she's still clearly uncomfortable, crying, spitting up, having violent episodes of hiccups, etc. I've pretty much given up on breastfeeding because I'm no longer producing milk since I am not eating, drinking, or sleeping. She is also not sleeping; I'm lucky if she gets 8 hours total in a 24 hour period. The other day, she was up from 11:30 in the morning until 4:30 the next morning, crying the whole time. The only way to quiet her is to give her a bottle, which she sucks and chews on (but doesn't eat). I am going back to work in less than 2 weeks, and I was hoping she'd be feeling better by then. What can I do to make this more bearable for both of us?

Answer 1

I remember those nights (and days). My first son also had reflux. You may want to try switching him to a soy based formula since you are no longer breastfeeding. In conjunction with other things, I found this very helpful in easing my baby's belly. A few other things to try that helped me: while you are feeding your baby prop him up into almost a sitting position. It may seem uncomfortable to you at first, but somehow this helps aid in keeping the formula down; after you feed baby don't lay him down. Keep him propped up in a swing or infant car seat if you have one. The longer you keep him propped up the more likely he will be to keep his formula down.
Through it all, remember that it is okay to ask for help. Get someone close to you to come let you get some sleep girl! You are not doing anyone any good being exhausted. Your baby needs you and you can't focus on him if you are falling asleep on your feet. Try to remember that these long days and nights won't last forever. Try to enjoy the peaceful moments! Good Luck!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

My daughter has reflux so i feel your pain. she also has a milk protein intolerance so she can't have milk based formula...this actually makes her reflux worse. i breastfeed and use formula. i don't consume dairy and she drink Enfamil Nutramigen (i know its expensive but its gently on the tummy and she tolerates it well). she is also on prevacid at 7.5mg 2x/day. I sit her up for about 15-20 minutes after feeding and i sleep her on her side. she does not like her bed elevated so that was out. she loves sleeping on her side. we had a horrible time with these issues the first two months she was alive and then got on the regimen i explained above and she is like a new baby!! also, she is now six months and appears to be growing out of the milk intolerance and only seems to have some reflux issues early in the morning and right around bath time (6:30-7ish). I don't know if any of this is going to help but i think the prevacid is a lifesaver (i heard zantac stops working after a while) and my ped said that there is a correlation between severe reflux and a milk protein intolerance.

Answer 4

I have acid reflux, and I'm trying to think of what might be safe to give your baby. I know yogurt's always helped me. It coats the stomach and takes the pain away instantly. You might ask your doctor if it's okay to give her a little bit of yogurt.

The only other things that help me are too much for a young infant to eat (ie: saltines, cheddar cheese).

Anything liquid-y or acidic such as water or juice will only aggravate the acid and make the reflux attack much worse. Trust me, I know! The pain kills!!!

Usually something dairy with a coating takes away the acid for a long period of time, like the yogurt, so you might try that. But ask your doctor first. Good luck!

Answer 5

Chronic heartburn is usually from acid reflux - stomach acid is getting past the little valve and into your esophagus. You also should know some natural ways to treat your heartburn. Learn them here https://bitly.im/aMGyg

The most immediate thing you can do is to stop drinking coffee and cola. Smoking is not good either, but that might be harder to stop. Don't over-eat. Don't lie down too soon after eating. Don't burp too much - this carries acid up with the burp.

heartburn the most common symptom of acid reflux disease (also known as gastroespohageal reflux disease, or GERD). Heartburn feels like a burning pain in the center of the chest. It is caused by acid from the stomach backing up into the esophagus. is a symptom of acid reflux disease (GERD) Also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Answer 6

Maybe a different medication is needed? We have a reflux baby and Zantac didn't work on him. We switched to Prilosec and it was a dramatic difference.
Hang in there, things will get better!

Answer 7

Dont give up on breastfeeding! Its your best shot at helping the reflux.

Did you try eliminating foods from your diet? Dairy, soy, wheat?

I would reccomend putting yourself on a special diet, getting a good sling and working on getting your supply up.

The diet will remind you to eat and you can probably prepare a bunch of food and a time and then just grab as needed.

The sling should help you get some stuff done and help your babe get some sleep.

Will she still latch?

You will probably not see much result until she is completly on breastmilk. Formula is very hard to digest and VERY tough on babies tummies.

Answer 8

You need to look after yourself or you won't be going anywhere let alone going back to work.
I used to gently 'bicycle' my baby's legs that seemed to help sometimes.

Answer 9

get new doctor ,change milk,check father and mother history.used bottle water only.pray