do you think my baby has silent reflux?

[bek]

Hi ladies,
I am trying to figure out if my baby has silent reflux or not, and what I can do to help him. He does not spit up, but his tummy always seems to be upset. He also hiccups and coughs all the time. I just stopped exclusively breastfeeding last Thursday and started him on soy formula. I did this b/c whenever I ate dairy and breastfed him his stomach would get really upset. While breastfeeding he also never pooped. Now on the soy formula he seems to be doing better. He is pooping every day. My pedi also suggested that we start giving him Mylanta up to 3 times a day as needed, which I also think is helping. HOWEVER, his stomach still does not seem okay to me. He snacks all day, not really drinking more than 2 ounces at a time (he is in the 50% for weight), and arches his back and acts like he has to poop ALL day. He is also very gassy. I can' t decide if I should try to switch to a hypoallergenic formula, or if I should try to thicken the soy with cereal. Or maybe I should just continue with the soy and Mylanta for a little while since I just started last Thursday???? I am a nurse so I do have a medical background, but I am going crazy seeing my 10 week old baby in pain. Sorry this is so long, but I am desperate. I am so glad I found this site, and hope that you experienced Mom's can offer some help and advice. Thank you so much in advance!!

:) Rebekah

[cary]

Hi,

Isn't it the worst feeling when your baby is in pain. You situation sounds very similar to mine.

My daughter is also breastfed, never spat up, hiccuped all the time, ate really frequently, and arched her back. After multiple trips to the doctor and finally a referral to the Pediatrician they decided to try her on reflux medication.... that was a week ago. I can't tell that much if she's doing better because of the meds but she's definitely sleeping much better at night and she doesn't arch her back and fight as much while feeding.

Your baby sounds suspicious that it could be reflux, so hard to really know I think. One thing that everyone suggests is to raise one end of the crib up so that when they're asleep (if you're lucky enough to have that happen) that their stomach is still lower than their mouth to help with the reflux.

It your little one continues to be uncomfortable you should talk to your Dr. about the possibility of silent reflux, better to deal with it earlier than later.

Good luck and hang in there,

Cary

[fussybaby]

bek,
I wanted to add the following, I hope it helps:

Your baby may have a reflux problem if:

-If your baby hiccups and cries in pain about it, frequent hiccups are ok if they smile while doing so. My son would cry about the hiccups and that was one strong sign of a reflux problem (coughing and gagging as well, my son coughs a lot even still).

-If your baby arches when feeding and during the day then it is very likely it may be a reflux problem

Reflux is common (as you know I am sure), you just need to determine what level of a reflux problem it is to see if you need meds or not. If they are crying a lot and in discomfort then it sure sounds like a reflux problem. The hiccups, arching and coughing (congestion usually as well) are a sure sign when combined with discomfort.

It is possible that he could have both reflux and colic, I would suggest to try the Soy and Mylanta for at least 10 days. After that then you should know if there is a real improvment or not. I would not suggest thickening the formula unless you start having a serious weight issue and he spits up so much he needs it. I say that because if he also has colic you need to be careful of the thicker formulas and adding rice due to his possible digestion problem. It is hard on a colics baby's tummy sometimes to give a thicker formula or the rice cereal added.

It sounds like he may just be sensitive and have a possible food allergy the way you describe the dairy and now how he is better on the Soy already.

Hang in there, I only can suggest to try and give each item you try a 10 day trial period (unless it makes them worse right away of course).

For Colic: My son was worse on soy, the Soy made him even more gassy and he was always complaining about the gas (other babies I would see have gas and just smile about it, he would always complain and be in discomfort from the gas). I then switched to the Alimentum, but that is why. (You could try Carnation Good Start first, I did that as well, it does work for some).

Hang in there, there is so much out there to help with all of these issues, you will find the right combo for him, unfortunately it just takes time that is always so difficult when our babies are in pain.