Hi - need some words of wisdom please - I have a paed apmt for my baby on thursday night but that feels such a long way away at the moment. DH just talked me out of taking her to the after hours dr. and to hold on to talk to my regular GP on Monday morning. But need to vent!

Has been on omeprazole since 8 weeks. Very slow weight gains. We had been trucking along ok, having good and bad weeks, but this past week, and yesterday and today been particulary bad. Still so much screaming/crying/arching back every feed time. Can only feed when she is very hungry and very sleepy. But even on a 'good' week, she is like that, but just not as bad. And I am just so used to it now that I feel like its normal for her, but I had a reality check of sorts when talking to another school mum during the week...and its not right or normal for them to cry and be so uncomfortable at feeding time.

But she is lovely and smiley and happy in between feeds. So can this still indicate reflux pain, even though its only at feed time? If still in pain wouldn't she be miserable between feeds too? That is my fear, that I've been giving her all these drugs for so long and its not even silent reflux?

And Dr Reddys, I'm sure I read somewhere on her once that some people dont find this drug works so well? I changed to a diff pharmacy about a month ago and noticed it was Dr Reddy's they gave me. So if this could be the cause of why she seems to be worse of late, then what can i do about it? Ring round to find a pharmacy that will give me another brand??? Do GPs/Paeds/Pharmacists accept that this brand isn't so reliable or would they think I'm talking nonsense?

And have you started your reflux babes on solids early? She is only 4.5 months and I really wanted to get to at leaset 5 months - we have eczema/allergies history - but I need to fill her up somehow. I know her milk intake has reduced this week as I can feel it in my body, am needing to express off a bit. What are the real risks of starting early - is it really a balancing act between not starting too early, but not having a hungry upset baby?

thanks for reading. I will ask the GP all this Monday morning, then of course the Paed thurs night - but maybe someone on here can offer me some thoughts in the meantime. I am just so tired and frustrated and sick of holding my crying baby in my arms at every feed. And scared of all the extra pain/damage that will be caused between now and thursday night if it is a case of needing to adjust the meds.

hugs hun sounds like my daughter, shes fussy at feeding fine in between, sleeps fine etc she is 15 weeks old and is on losec and pepti junior formula (for milk protien allergy) which they think she might have. She is way better on the formula and losec combo but still is hard to feed her, she just doesnt scream through her feeds in pain anymore but is just particular how she feeds - e.g has to be laying down flat (not held) and will have first part of feed up then the rest when she is going down to sleep in her bassinet.

I hope you get some help from the gp, is she formula or breast fed? maybe trying to cut out dairy and see if that helps if she is breast fed?

I tried feeding my daughter more in her sleep when she was really bad and not drinking much

In regard to solids I think you can start between 4-6 months if they are showing the ready signs, holding head up, watching what you eat, doesnt poke their tounge out if you put a spoon in their mouth etc etc

If I was you and I felt that she wasn't taking enough breast milk due to feeling full in the boobs all the time I would not give her solids as it either indicates she is not hungry enough ( which is why solids are given in the first place) and also that she may be developing an aversion to feeding because it causes her pain and she could transfer that to the solids too. Solids could also upset her tummy.
The reasons for starting solids might be, baby is very hungry after feeding milk or possibly if there was a weight gain issue? However breastmilk is a nice easily digested high calorie food and so good to keep with for the above reasons. Maybe you need to get the reflux sorted first? Talk to the GP or paed about the Dr Reddy's. My GP says they are all identical but I know other people here disagree and I think they all have the same active ingredient but the binders in it could be different. In Welly it has been taken off and there is a new brand being offered which I imagine would be national so maybe get a new scrip t an ask around the pharmacies as to what they have in stock?
Those who have allergic issues with their kids will be along shortly and that sounds like it could be something to try in your case. Especially if you have a family history.
I started my second son who had reflux on solids too early thinking if I could get some pears into him his constipation would go away and it was not the best move I think. Definitely more pain.

Oh and my suggestion for calmer feeding times is in the bath! Not practical all the time but in the evening nice and soothing for both of you. Or get a ring sling and wear her. They love it and you can feed in it and they can sleep in it. Swaying motion is great. You can strap them in it upright too which is great for sore arms after holding you bub upright after feeds for so long!

How are things now? How did you get on with the doctors?