This is a follow-up to my question from yesterday about my seven-week-old with reflux. We had another terrible night last night, and I am desperate for some sleep! I've tried raising my son's mattress to 30 degrees, and I've tried letting him sleep in his car seat and papazan chair - neither of which makes me very comfortable since he needs to be swaddled and, therefore, can't be buckled into the seats.
In my research online about inclines / wedges for babies with reflux, I came across one called the "nap nanny." I have two questions...
First, has anyone ever used this product?
Second, does anyone have any ideas about the swaddling issue? All of the wedges I've found / seats / chairs, etc. involve strapping the baby in for safety which means that babies can't be swaddled! =(
I don't know if this would help, but.....
Could you lay a blanket in the seat between the straps and the seat back; then buckle baby in, then tuck the blanket snugly around the baby? maybe even take a separate blanket (might have to fold it) and wrap baby's legs?
Just a thought.
K. Z.
The Swaddle Me wraps have slits in the back in case you need to strap your baby into a car seat while being swaddled. I never used this feature when my boys were using the Swaddle Me wraps, but I think there are instructions either with the package, or else online explaining how to do this properly.
I wish you all the best with this!
K.
Have you explored dietary sensitivites as the cause of your baby's reflux? Is your baby bottle fed? It's most likely the formula. If you breastfeed, look at the food you are eating. Infants are especially sensitive to reflux because of thier underdeveloped system. Gripe water and homeopathy work wonders as well. Zantac is extremely harsh on infants, I'm really surprised doctors actually prescribe meds like this the babies. Look to the underlying cause of the reflux, it will save you from other potential digestive disturbances later on as well. Good luck!
Probably a lot of people will adamantly disagree with me, but my daughter would/could only sleep in a bouncy vibrating chair until she was about 3 months. She also had to be tightly swaddled. She slept next to my bed and we did not buckle her. She could not roll or move much. I know it is NOT what is recommended, but if it is something YOU feel comfortable with, I'm just putting it out there. Ideal? No. A bit risky? Yes. But sometimes it may be "the only way" to preserve sanity. I just thought I would pass that along to you.
Never used the nap nanny but my daughter had severe reflux (surgry at 11months). The wedges didnt seem to work for her as far as comfort. My husband and I would take turns sleeping with her and she stayed on our chest a lot. We kept her on our chest for 30 mintes after feeding and prevacid seemed to help her pain. I know that fatigue is horrible but it will pass. Hang in there!
Co-sleep.
That's your answer.
At least until he gets over the reflux.
Good Luck.
If you swaddle your baby- but leave swaddle a bit loose for leg- you might still be able to put in car seat.
You might want to look in to chiropractic care. Babies can be seen as early as the day they were born. Chiropractic helps acid reflux, ear infections and many other ailments. I have taken my 3 1/2 yr old since she was 6 weeks old and she hardly gets sick and took my 4 week old yesterday for the first time. Many people are hesitant and do not believe in it but do research and find out for yourself. I personally would highly recommend trying it, esp. if your pediatrician will prescribe medication. Better to try the natural way then to medicate so early on. Good luck!
I know there is a swaddle me blanket with slits in the back to allow for swaddling in situations just like this! I think they sell them at babies r us, you can google it.
Good luck!
p.s. - I know another poster said it could be formula or what you are eating if BF, but I exclusively BF my kids, and they both had reflux (I also took them both to the chiro). Sometimes kids just have reflux due to the immaturity of the esophageal sphincter...my kids both outgrew the reflux...
good luck - sleep deprivation is so terrible!
Have you tried a Swaddle Me wrap. My daughter had the exact some issues, awful reflux and needed to be swaddled. I used the Swaddle Me wrap, which has a pocket for the feet and then wings to go around the arms. You can keep the childs feet out of the pocket, thus allowing them to be strapped in (My daughter slept in her bouncy seat until 7 months old and then a reflux pillow until 10 months) yet you can still swallow the arms. Good luck, I know how hard it can be.
