Some nights, my 15 week old wakes up every hour thrashing about - only calming down when he nurses -which makes both of us miserable. I spoke with my pediatrician and he seems to think that it wouldn't be acid reflux if my baby wasn't cranky all day long as well as night. If you have had a baby with acid reflux or a food allergy, would you mind posting what the baby's symtoms were??? I'm desperate to find him (and me) help. I'm afraid I'm missing something - and could be helping him with this. Thanks a bunch and happy holidays!

By Gammiejoan on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 10:58 am:

I have just one thought. Is there any possibility that your baby could be teething? I know that 15 weeks would be a little on the young side for teething, but both of my grandsons had started by that age. How long has this been going on? If it is teething, a little Tylenol or Motrin at night might help him rest. If this isn't it, perhaps someone else will have a suggestion.

By Mommyathome on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:39 am:

My middle DD had acid reflux. It was a living nightmare. She would throw-up constantly. Everytime she ate, it would come right back up.

Do you make sure that he has all of his burps out after eating? Maybe he is getting gas bubbles. Especially since it's only on some nights.

Good luck to you and your DS! I hope you figure it out soon so you can all get some sleep

By Amyk on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:41 am:

Could be... there has been a little bit of drooling the past few days.. I'm a first time mom so everything is new to me! Thanks for the new idea.

By Amyk on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 11:44 am:

Everytime I burp him, he spits up.... so I know I'm not burping him as much as I should - feel like when he spits up a bunch - all the nursing was for nothing. Really appreciate this feedback - he is not much of a sleeper as it is - and so the nights where he has more trouble than normal, I am exhausted. Hey, at least I didn't have twins :-)

By Marcia on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 12:36 pm:

Write down what you eat, and see if there's any pattern on his screaming days. My dd had a dairy intolerance, and was very uncomfy if I even had a small slice of cheese. As soon as I cut it out, she was fine.
As far as reflux goes, it does feel worse when you're lying down.
Keep on the doc!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 01:11 pm:

My youngest had GERD (acid reflux) as an infant. She was a very fussy and high maintenance baby. More info and symptoms here:

The Gerd Word

By Amyk on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 08:18 pm:

Thanks all - my doc has Zantac (X?) waiting at the pharmacy for me to try. I'll let you know if I see improvements!

Amy

By Pamt on Monday, December 22, 2003 - 10:02 pm:

My youngest DS has reflux. He's 7 and is still on meds for it and just had an endoscopy last Friday to see how his esophagus, stomach, and small intestine were looking (nice, pink, and healthy thank goodness!!). It has taken me 6 years to get him diagnosed and treated, so I know how frustrating it can be. As for symptoms....my DS was always happy and smiley, slept throught the night (8 hrs) at 8 weeks and put on weight like a madman. Definitely not the textbook picture of reflux. However, I was changing his clothes and mine anywhere from 3-7 times a day each, washing swing, bouncy seat, and carseat covers, cleaning my carpet and upholestery, etc, constantly. Because he gained weight so well (breastfed) and had such a happy temperment, it wasn't until I kept a detailed journal for a week of what he ate (we were just getting into solids), when he ate/nursed, how often he spit up, how much, how often we changed clothes, etc. that my doctor referred my to a pediatric GI. As an infant he was put on Zantac and Propulsid due to slow stomach emptying and then we really had no follow-up with the GI doc. The meds didn't work so we took him off. Finally since we have moved to Louisiana and have access to a children's hospital and a wonderful ped GI specialist he has had 2 endoscopies and a 24 hr pH probe. Reflux has definitely been diagnosed and he takes Prevacid and Reglan twice a day. Prevacid decreases stomach acid and Reglan tightens the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach to decrease the reflux. Oh! And other symptoms to look for that my son DOES have are a hoarse voice/cry and coughing.

If you still aren't satisfied and feel in your mommy gut that it is reflux, then do pursue a second opinion or better yet ask for a GI consult. If it is reflux you need to know what is causing it so you know what medications and lifestyle changes will help with it.

Good luck...let us know how things go.

P.S., Do burp him often though, even though it makes the spitting up worse. Believe me, I know But it sure is uncomfortable to have that gas in the tummy and can make the reflux worse later. Also, is he spitting up at night? If so, ask your ped about your baby sleeping on his tummy instead of his back. For reflux babies, the "back to sleep" notion can be dangerous b/c they can aspirate on the spit-up.

By Marcia on Tuesday, December 23, 2003 - 03:31 pm:

Zantac won't stop the spitting up, but will stop the acid from forming. That willsave his esophaugus from becoming damaged. If it is reflux that's causing him to be so upset, you should know the first day he starts the meds.
I hope it works!

By Amyk on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 06:50 am:

OK - we've been on the Zantac for 2 days - with no change. On the overnights my now 16 week old will toss his head from side to side, rub his little hands all over his face, thump his legs around, etc. This happens each hour when he enters his light sleep stage. He always wakes himself completely up doing this... so I guess I need to start looking at food allergies - as I am breastfeeding. Have any of you had gassy babies - what were the symptoms - besides the obvious! What foods did you have to avoid while breastfeeding??

Merry Christmas! Boy, I'm tired! :-)

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 12:10 pm:

It will take more than 2 days for the Zantac to take effect.

My DD had GERD and was also sensitive to dairy and anything spicy or gassy. Once she was on Zantac for the GERD and I cut all dairy and spicy and gassy foods out of my diet she did MUCH better. Although it was tough for me to give up dairy it was worth having a happy baby AND I lost weight as well!

{{{Amyk}}} I hope things get better soon. I've BTDT and know how frustrating it is.

By Amyk on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 01:48 pm:

Thanks Trina - I was wondering how long it would be for the Zantac to work. I am also cutting out dairy, peanuts, broccoli, etc. in an effort to figure this out. I would rather make those sacrifices for my little boy to get some sleep - I could use some as well. 16 weeks w/o a good night's sleep... never thought I could do it!!! Thanks for responding on a holiday.


Oh, Trina - what symptoms did your DD experience? My son don't spit up at night - just struggles to sleep - and acts like something is bothering him.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 02:13 pm:

You're welcome.

My DD projectile vomitted often until about 4 mos.. Then she didn't spit up nearly as much but was very fussy and screamed often as if she was terribly uncomfortable. This was 24/7, not just at night. Nursing was the only thing that soothed her, and then not always. I *knew* something was wrong. My ped. kept blowing it off until I insisted upon seeing a GI specialist. The GI Dr. was a BIG help!

By Yjja123 on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 02:36 pm:

When my daughter was born she did the projectile vomiting every time I fed her and was even losing weight. I changed formulas without success. The DR had me feeding her yogurt and baby food earlier than usual trying to get weight on her. The doctor never diagnosed her and kept saying she would outgrow it. Being my first child I took his word for it (go by mothers instinct--lesson learned) The only time she was happy was in the bouncy/vibrating chair and taking a warm bath. I used to joke that I had the cleanest baby since she spent 50% of her day in warm water.
5 years later my daughter is first diagnosed with asthma and then sent to a Gi specialist. He does a test on her and says she has severe acid reflux and probaly has always had it.
There is some connection between the reflux and the asthma. If we keep the reflux under control she does not have asthma attacks.
Good luck!. My main advice is to keep looking for an answer and get her tested. If you doctor can't help you find another doctor.
Yvonne

By Yjja123 on Thursday, December 25, 2003 - 02:42 pm:

I forgot to add at night my daughter would cry and fuss and you could feel her stomach was all knoted up--it was hard as a rock. She would kick and fuss and the only thing that soothed her was the bouncy vibrating chair. I noticed the chair helped her burb more than my burbing her did. Maybe you should try that if you havn't already.

By Marcia on Friday, December 26, 2003 - 10:35 am:

Even if the spitting up isn't evident, reflux can still be occuring. One of my kids has severe reflux, and is on some different meds for it. The lung probs come from aspirating what's coming back up, which is what often happens with Sonja.
Another thought - try some baby gas drops for him. Simethicone. Works wonders.

By Pamt on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 08:51 pm:

Amy, I would strongly suggest a consult to a pediatric GI who can more definitely pinpoint possible causes to the problem and solutions. Marcia is right that reflux can occur without symptoms. I just found out 2 years ago that I have severe reflux and I have never had any indication until I developed a chronic severe throat problem. Also, removing diary and such from your diet is a hit or miss thing. When my son (the one with reflux) was initially diagnosed with a milk allergy we had to remove casein from his diet, which is milk protein. It is in EVERYTHING!! From breading on some fried foods, to bread, to sausage, etc. not just true "dairy" products. Cutting out some key "gas producing" foods from your diet like beans, broccoli, onions, etc. may belp, but before you begrudge your body and your breastmilk too much of calcium I would make sure you are on the right track first. Also he may not have reflux or a food allergy at all...maybe he's just a poor sleeper or has some sensory issues, etc. It could be a number of things and I would look into it further with my pediatrician or a referral to a specialist if you are truly concerned. Hope he's better soon!

By Amyk on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 12:26 pm:

Thanks for all your posts on this. My son is almost 17 weeks old now and I am soooo tired. Getting up 5-7 times per night is wearing me down. I am so thankful that he is my 1st and I don't have another child to look after. He does seem to be doing less thrashing about since I stopped eating dairy and really watching my diet. The Zantac didn't seem to have any effect. I worry about him not getting the sleep he needs as much or more than I worry about the toll it is taking on me. I have been working on some of the suggestions given in Pantley's "No-Cry Sleep Solution" book and just pray that there will be a slow improvement. Sorry for the diatribe - I have a cold and am exhausted. :-) No sleep in sight. I always tell my son "It is a good thing you are so cute!"

Did any of you have poor sleepers that improved their sleeping habits as they got older?? I could use some hope.

Thanks!

By Jodie on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 09:24 pm:

Hi Amyk. Sorry I'm posting late.