D.B.
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My baby has never been a really good eater. We were on weight checks every 72 hours in the beginning because of it. Soon after birth, she was diagnosed with reflux (she would projectile vomit several times a day, couldn't keep anything down, once puked 9 times in 1 hour). Anyways, she's now on Zantac and I had to break down and put cereal in her bottles because the Zantac alone wasn't doing the trick. So she is fed breastmilk but in a bottle because of the cereal. She comfortably eats 2 ounces of breastmilk every 3 hours, 6 times a day. We have to force her to eat 3 ounces. I know that sounds wrong, but 12 ounces a day just doesn't sound healthy! I don't know what to do-she is having enough wet and dirty diapers, but I don't know how because she doesn't take much in...anyways, any other moms have this issue with their children? I can only force feed her so much...
EDIT: Yes, the ped told us to put cereal in her bottles-she was still vomiting over 30 times a day with the Zantac and once we started cereal, she's down to about 6-10 times per day. Yes, she sleeps from about 10:30pm-5:30am so she's only getting 6 feedings a day.
I appreciate the kind responses and thank you so much to the person who posted the Kellymom link and the other mama who suggested checking out Pyloric Stenosis.
I seemed to have a LOT of responses regarding the cereal, however, that was NOT the question I asked. I didn't ask if putting cereal in her bottle was okay or what anyone's opinion of it was-I KNOW that it is helping and I feel it's best for her right now. Going from throwing up over 30 times a day to spitting up less than 10 times has been such a blessing. So, while I appreciate everyone taking time to respond to my question, most of the responses were to something I didn't ask about.
Thanks again!
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Please take this into serious consideration. Take her into a good chiropractor, our son suffered dearly with reflux and the chiropractor is what got him better and off medication. His upper body was so out of adjustment and tight that as soon as he was "loosened up" he stopped the reflux. If you don't already know a chiropractor find some who does, don't just go to anyone.
ps. we tried the cereal in the bottle and it didn't help that we could see. We also tried a formula and didn't help either.
I'd call your pediatrician and ask. I really don't think you should be putting cereal in the breastmilk unless you were told to by your doc. Were you? It is not nutritious at all and the intestines/bowels of babies that young will have a very hard time with anything other than milk or formula. But as for how many ounces she's taking, 2 ounces might be ok as long as it is ever 2 to 3 hours, around the clock. Her stomach is only the size of her fist when it is clenched up...not very big.
Here's some info that might help:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html
But realize that she has special health concerns and her little system probably can't handle more than the 2 ounces at a time right now. The cereal adds some heft to it so it doesn't surprise me that she can't take more right now. Given her reflux you certainly don't want to force her to take in more than is comfortable for her. If she has wet diapers, is gaining weight (even slowly right now) and seems satisfied then just follow her lead. It's better for her to eat small amounts and keep them down right now than large amounts that are going to come back up.
You might try to include a "dream feed" before you go to bed (if you do later than the 10:30 when she goes to sleep. That way she might get just a bit more in. Just follow her lead right now. As she grows a bit you might be able to gradually get her to take a bit more.
Every baby is different and up side of things is she is eating and she is getting some dirty diapers therefore, having something to eliminate.Please don't force her to eat because her tummy is only so big and she may just be full (especially if there is cereal in the bottle). If giving her the breastmilk without the cereal, she may consume more, but she also seems to vomit more without the cereal in the milk. I would say to do what the dr. says because there is nothing like watching your baby go through something and wishing there was more you could do to help. It can seem overwhelming I know, but give her some time. She will be eating more before you know it. Hang in there!
First, check with the pediatrician about the cereal...6 weeks is awfully young for that.
Second, as long as she is gaining weight, even if it is slowely, she is doing ok.
I agree with Molly that if you haven't talked with your ped. about the possibility of her being allergic to milk (or soy) that you should consider it. My daughter projectile vomitted also until I elminated milk from my diet (it took some time to get out of my system, so there is some patience involved).
If her growth and weight gain is good then don't focus too much on how many ounces she's eating. Maybe your ped. can have you come in to check her growth/weight to ease your mind.
Best wishes!
I work with babies with reflux every day. I would absolutely get a second opinion. Zantac is not working. Prevecid compounded seems to work the best with reflux but every baby is different.
6 weeks is too young to be putting cereal in the bottle. Do your research on their digestive systems. They do not handle solid food well at 6 weeks. I can cause issues in the future.
Check on her dairy allergy. I could be that the dairy you are eating is affecting her.
Most important is get a second opinion. Go to a good pediatric gastroenterologist.
My first suggestion is one I know will help of you are not already doing it... but doesn't sound like you are. If you are feeding her with a bottle turn her on her side to eat just like if she was breastfeeding. Keep a towel on your lap or on the floor under her as you will most likely have a lot of "drool" to start out with. 90% of babies can't drink from a bottle while on their back or leaning back. They often are getting too much liqid from the nipple and have no way to self control the amount going down so it ends up as reflux... puke etc. If she has a huge amount of drool try finding a slower flowing nipple.
Once you get her comfortable with that it will still take a little bit for her to want to start eating what is considered "enough" (won't go onto that here) as it will take her a while to understand that she is not going to hurt when she eats. Remember the last time you got really sick on something....say tequila shooters...:-) how long did it take you to want to try that again.... thankfully it won't take that long for her.
Most kids are able to get off the prevacid with just this one adjustment.
Also try burping her sitting up rather than over the shoulder. This may be putting too much pressure on her tummy and forcing the food and the acids back up rather than just the gas.
Obviously I agree with getting second opinion... trying milk free or soy free variety of formula if you are not breastfeeding and highly recommend trying a chiropractor that has experience with these issues. Many times it reaally is just something out of place during delivery that can cause a lot of these issues.
Your situation sounds very familiar to me...my son also had an extreme case of reflux. We tried the Zantac and cereal in the bottle with breastmilk (Yes, you're doing the right thing!!!) and it lessened the spitting up, but he was still not growing enough or taking in enough. I know how terrible it is and how you feel for your baby. They are so little, and to have it hurt to eat must be awful!
As soon as we switched to Prevacid, it was like a miracle! It was like he had no problem after that. Ask your doctor about it. Prevacid made all the difference for us.
Have you tried gripe water? Any chance she could me milk, soy protein intolerant? My daughter quit projectile vomitting after i eliminated dairy and soy from my diet. Has she had an ultrasound to check for pyloric stenosis? I'd get a second opinion.
