Reflux? - Watertown, MA

Hi G.. My second child also suffered reflux as well as myself during and since his pregnancy. I can tell you first hand it's not pleasant. I was unsure of your daughters age though I assumed she is 3 1/2 mos. Are you feeding cereal/oatmeal yet? The night waking could simply be because she is still hungry. Try giving amixed cereal bottle and her rx before bed. She should stay full longer. I would also try slanting the mattress at an angle , head end higher . This will help the acid in her stomach to stay down. I hope this works for you. good luck

Babies magic tea is the best home remedy ever I found great helping for my acid refluxed baby.

Hi G., my daughter had the same exact issue - Reflux and was put on Zantac as well...probably around the same age. However we also found out she was allergic to milk at the same time - you might want to get this checked as well. It's the same symptoms my daughter had as well. The Zantac seemed to work for a little while, but nighttime was horrible. She wound up sleeping in her bouncy chair for almost 8months because of the Reflux. I finally spoke with my pediatrician again and requested that we see a GI Specialist because I felt the Zantac was not working at night. We met with a GI Specialist from Childrens Hospital and he put her on Prilosec - which has been great!! She is able to sleep in her crib and does not wake up screaming anymore from her stomach. See how the Zantac works, but do not hesitate to ask your pediatrician for a recommendation/referral to see a GI specialist. The earlier you can get her seen by one, the better off she is. When we met with our GI Specialist he did make a reference stating usually they see babies earlier than the age my daughter was when we first brought her so they could monitor and possibly adjust any medication as needed to get the best fit for her. Luckily the Prilosec worked without having to adjust at all. It will get better....I never thought it would and I'm a mom of twins! My daughter only has the reflux, my son does not. But really, watch her for a little while to see how the Zantac works and if you don't feel like it's doing a good job for her, then really seek the advise of a GI Specialist.

Good luck!
J.

Hi G. - I hope I can help. I have three children 7, 5 and 2 and all of them have had reflux. From very severe to moderate. My oldest was a happy spitter and thrived. He was put on Zantac and Reglan. I don't think they use Reglan much anymore that was seven years ago. He also grew out of it when was about six months and was starting to sit up taller.

My daughter the 5 year old had reflux so severe it was awful. She would cry all night. She would be stiff as a board and act like she was hungry. Come to find out she ended up having severe allergies.

My youngest had it early on and would cry all the time in the car seat. The car seat is awful for kids with reflux because their slumped which puts pressure on the tummy.

So with all that said, I hope I can offer you advice on a few things you can try that I tried to help relieve your daughter's symptoms.

1. If you're using bottles I would use the Dr. Brown bottles they are great for kids with reflux. If you're nursing you may want to cut down on the dairy products or try a soy diet to relieve her discomfort.

2. Try not to over feed. Kids with reflux always act like they are hungry, but if you keep feeding them it builds up in their stomach and your sure to have them spit up every or just cry in discomfort.

3. After feeding her try to keep her in an upright propped up position for a little while. Sometimes laying her on the floor on her belly or on her side might help as well. Sometime kids with reflux like to feel that pressure on their bellies.

4. Definitely prop her mattress up in her bed so she's not laying flat and maybe position her on her side. I used one of those side sleeper supports for one of my girls so she wouldn't roll over.

5. You can also ask your doctor about Alimentum and Nutrimagin formulas. They are two formulas that have barely any milk in them about 17% casein, but seem to work well for kids with reflux. Both of my daughter's are on prescribed formulas because their dairy and soy allergies. They are called Neocate Jr. and Elecare.

6. If her symptoms or discomfort worsens you may want to see a GI doctor who handles reflux issues. I see Dr. Katz at MGH in Waltham, MA. I've also seen Dr. Biller there as well who is also great! They also have a nurse practioner who would be able to handle reflux problems who is also easier to get an appt with her name is Terry Schnorr. It's a great practice. I've been going to them for 7 years.

7. If you end up going to see the GI doctor you may want to ask them about allergies. Many children today are not able to digest the milk proteins in the milk based formulas or if you're nursing. I had to go onto a soy diet when nursing my son and he ended up on Prosobee soy formula. My middle and youngest daughter's ended up having a boat load of allergies and was extremely allergic to all dairy and soy.

I really hope I haven't overwhelmed you. I know having a child with reflux can be extremely overwhelming and stressful. Please let me know if you have any other questions and don't be afraid to ask your doctor about seeing a GI doctor or about the possibility of you daughter having allergies. My husband and I have no food allergies and all three of my kids do. We just found out recently that my oldest has a slight allergy to milk, which would make sense why he wasn't able to digest the milk based formula's as a baby and did better when I was on a soy diet and on he Prosobee formula.

Good luck and please let me know how you make out or if you have any other questions.

K.

How about some "aloe Vera Juice?" My lil guy had an enflamed esophaugus (sp). I took him to a GI Pediatric spec. and this is what he recommended. I get it at whole foods, however, you cna buy it on line too. I use the brand gift of nature
aloe Vera juice, gift of life. It soothes the throat and it will keep the child regular also. I hope this helps you out.

J.

Hi G.,
I feel for you. It's a terrible thing to watch your baby be in pain. My daughter was diagnosed with reflux when she was 4 weeks old. She was on zantac until she turned one. To help ease the discomfort for her tummy, after feedings I would keep her elevated for at least 20 minutes (either in my arms or in a bouncy seat that was elevated). We also put books stacked up under her crib mattress so that she slept with a slight elevation. Be careful not to make it too elevated, you don't want her flipping over or rolling down the mattress. The good thing is, they out grow it! My daugther is now 5.5 years old and has never had any problems since she went off the zantac.

Good luck!
C.

Hi G.,

My boyfriend had reflux for years and took all kinds of medication for it. He started drinking Tahition Noni juice and less than a week he no longer had the problem and didn't have to use any medication for Reflux after that.

Tahitian Noni juice can be used in many ways. This is what I would suggest for your baby girl, Lay your daughter on her back and gentle rub her stomach and put a Tahitian Noni compress on her:

Preparation:

Take a bowl/mug (glass/ceramic) and pour boiling water in it; Then gentle shake up the Tahitian Noni Juice to mix pulp; then empty the water out after the bowl/mug gets hot; Take a 1/2 capful of the Tahitian Noni Juice and pour it in the warm bowl and let it sit for a few moments; Then take a cotton ball and absorb the warm juice (wipe up the extra pulp with the cotton ball); Then put the cotton ball over her belly button; place a piece of plastic wrap over it and a small towel to keep it warm. Keep it on for 1/2 hour (if possible with a 3 year old) Do this once or twice a day until the condition improves. (usually less that a week.)

G., you can get more information about Tahitian Noni Juice at my website at www.tni.com/2353253 or you can call me at ###-###-####. Good luck with your daughter.

Take care,
C. W.