I have two questions:

First relates to my 5.5 year old son. He was a happy chucker when he was little. Would constantly spill (and spill and spill) He was never on medication (i didn't know there was anything wrong with him, everyone said he was just spilly..) He has since developed a weird cough. More of a "ahem" type cough, but he does it constantly!! At first I thought it was the cold winter air aggravating his throat but since reading the crying over spilt milk info, I now think different. I think it may still be refluxy type stuff happening... What do you think??

Second question relates to my new bubba 5weeks 2 days old today: he has begun arching his back, screaming after each feed, and spilling. He has spilt from day one after each feed, but they are getting really stinky and cottage cheese looking. Reflux??

oh another question!!! Can anyone recommend a paediatrician in West Auckland..

Cheers
Briony

The coughing is certainly possible to be related to reflux. Does he have difficulty sleeping at night, or regurgitating at all? If you're not sure then maybe just get a script for some losec and trial it and see if it helps. Is it also possible that it may be a food allergy/intolerance?

With new bubs, the symptoms all sound a LOT like reflux. Definitely worth getting started on gaviscon (can get a script from the gp) as this will help thicken the feed in the tummy making it harder to spill. And a paediatrician will want you to try this first anyway. Some gps are quite comfortable prescribing losec or ranitidine so check with yours as you may be able to start on something asap.

About 30% of reflux babies are dairy allergic/intolerant so it may be worth doing a dairy free diet for a couple of weeks (that's how long it takes to see improvements). Also try avoiding foods that trigger reflux like banana's, tomatoes, chocolate.

Have a look at the website: http://www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz as it has tips and advice as well as info on medications etc.

Somethings that helped me cope with my two, were to keep them upright for half an hour after a feed (this allows the feed to move further through the tummy before putting pressure on the valve that isn't working right). Also, tilting the cot on an angle, and keepign them upright during the day by carrying them in the front pack, sitting in the lazyboy, or upright in the buggy.

I don't see a paediatrician anymore, and the one that I used to see I wouldn't recommend. But I am seeing both a allergy specialist and a gastro-paed that are fantastic. So if you want the names of either of these PM me.

Hugs to you .... it's a hard road ....

Hi Dolphin,

Thanks for your response.

I did think of perhaps an intolerance with DS1 (after I wrote this post LOL). I *think* it may be wheat as he seems to do it after he has had bread and the like..

I will go to the GP first to see if I can get Gaviscon. DS2 is fully bottlefed. He is on the Karicare new born one.

I do keep DS2 upright for at least 15 mins after each feed, i'll lengthen that time. The cot is at an angle (has been from day one, learnt that with DS1 ) I do have a Mei Tei that I use frequently, but my pelvis is still really sore from birth (had pelvis difficulties during pregnancy) so carrying him in any form really hurts but I'll perservere.

Thanks again. I'll go make a doc appointment now!

Cheers
Briony

Hi,

Good news

We went and saw our doctor last night. He has perscribed Gaviscon. So we shall see how that goes over the next few days. Fingers crossed!!!!!

Hi
You could try some Gaviscon for your five year old son. This will stop the reflux from occuring as much. Losec only reduces acidity so won't stop the cough from happening although if the cough is caused by acid damage to the throat it will help. It may well be gluten causing his problems also. There is an article here about it and the tests to get done are listed on the author's website: http://www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz/Food/Glutencancausegastro-oesophagealrefluxdisease!.htm
Well done with your baby. Give the Gaviscon Infant for three days and if the problem persists I would suggest talking to the dieticians at Nutricia about trialling another formula. http://www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz/MedicalTreatment/GavisconInfant-bottlefed.pdf

Well the gaviscon seems to be doing nothing Yesterday was a mega spilly/screaming day. This morning has been mega screaming again as soon as I put him down. Am going to go back to the docs to ask for something else.

Sounds like a good plan. I would also recommend trying a non-dairy formula as well. Give Nutricia a call.

ELLO ELLO ELLO!! Strange the places you catch up with people eh Briony! I didn't know you'd gone on to have another baby. Two boys? Who'da thunk it. Congratulations!

If you've still got my number, give me a call and I'll give you the details of my peadiatrician. And you are more than welcome at mine anytime - the last three of mine have been on losec from 3 weeks... carpets farked, so a few more power chucks aren't going to hurt it!!

... have you figured out who this is?

hmmm country mum.. could it be someone i worked with.... initials LT???

Back from Docs. Micah is now on Losec suspension. Hopefully a) I will be able to get that into him and b) he keeps some of it down..

Am going back to the docs on Weds, doc wants to know how he is going on it.

Yep indeedy.

grrr cheeky lil so and so spat most of the losec out!! Do i wait till tomorrow for his next dose, or re administer later??

Hey countrymum! *wave*

If he spits it out, you scoop it back in. Easiest way to give it, its in a little bit of pear. Try to think of it as a carrier for the meds, rather than solids. I would freeze small tsp full on grease proof paper and freeze it. What dose are you on?

He is on 2.5ml per day (one dose) of the 2mg Losec suspension.

We have been mixing it in 20ml of formula, giving that first, then carrying on with the rest of the feed. He seems to be taking it that way.

whoops - forgot it was the suspension you were using.

Well yesterday seemed a whole heap more quieter LOL

He seemed a heck of a lot more settled!! YAY

tho i did notice that he is still refluxing, which seems to cause him a little discomfort. Should I look into an AR formula? Or ask doc to up the medication a little

both?

Back from follow up doc appointment. he is happy with the dosage of Losec, but agrees that I should look into an AR formula.

Any suggestions on which is best??

Just when I thought all was going well..

he woke at 4 am this morning and didn't stop screaming till about 1pm this arvo...

also his farts now smell really sulphuric. Is this normal?? Could he have a slightly sore tummy from the Losec??

I know lots of people like it, but I've never been a fan of AR formula. My boys tend to the constipated, and I found that AR bunged them up even more making the reflux worse. Still, the best one I tried was the S26 AR because it thickens with heat rather than on standing like the Karicare. Its a personal preference thing though.

Something else to consider might be the Nan HA (hypo allergenic) formula. Its got probiotics in it too, which help with tummy troubles. Its easier to digest than regular formula I'm told. Karicare do and HA formula too, but no omega's or probiotics.

Losec suspension is generally not as effective as the granules and not the recommended way to give it. If you are running into problems there is a letter for health professionals on Crying Over Spilt Milk.
Re the sulphuric type poos: unlikely to be Losec. More likely to be a cow's milk allergy and 40% of our infants with reflux have a cow's milk allergy. You would need to try an alternative formula and the only option without seeing a paediatrician is really Goat's milk although this isn't recommended by the allergy experts. You could call Nutricia and speak with them.
Re the AR formulas. Karicare's is the only one that stays thickened in the stomach. Thickened formulas however are not recommended when reflux pain is not well controlled. Using Gaviscon Infant may be more useful in your case. AR formulas don't cause constipation as such. That would be a problem digesting something in the formula or just something that is occuring alongside reflux. Gaviscon Infant on the other hand commonly causes constipation.
Hope this helps.