Just when I thought we had the reflux under control and the ear infection licked, Helen has been screaming all day. She falls into a restless sleep if I hold her. Once I put her down she's wailing again in 20 min. I just can't take the crying anymore!
Oh well. Thanks for the vent. She just fell asleep on my shoulder. Going to try and put her down for the 20th time ...
Ame

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 06:17 pm:

Oh boy, she sounds A LOT like my DD as an infant! Major {{{HUGS}}} Do you have a baby carrier? I had a BabyBjorn, and DD lived in that thing. Often it was the only thing that kept her happy. I remember cooking many meals wearing her in the BabyBjorn! LOL!

She might need an adjustment with her medicine dosages. Talk with your doctor. I remember it taking awhile to get it right, and then as she grew we had to up them.

By Tink on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 06:51 pm:

It also sounds like my ds who also had reflux. It was one of the hardest times of my life. The BabyBjorn is the only thing that got me through it. Really, some kind of infant carrier is a wonderful thing when your child is like this. Try to get some time to yourself, even if it is 15 minutes in the shower or bath. You need it and deserve it!

By Emily7 on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 06:58 pm:

With Joe we tried almost every reflux medicine made. We ended up having to put him on Neocate formula because he was allergic to milk based & soy based formulas. That along with 2 types of meds helped. We got lucky with Olivia & the reflux meds worked right away.
Good luck & take time for yourself!

By Emdee on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 07:16 pm:

My dd had that also. One thing we had to do for the first 2-3 months was sleep in the recliner. She would not sleep laying down, so the only way for both of us to get some sleep at night was to sleep in the recliner with her on my chest. She would only wake to nurse and then back to sleep. If I tried to lay her down, she never stayed. And I second the baby carrier! We used that and it worked very good. I hope you both get some sleep!

By Kaye on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 07:49 pm:

one of the things I did to get some rest was use a heating pad and get the crib all nice and warm, pull out the pad and add the baby

By Kim on Monday, November 1, 2004 - 08:31 pm:

Kayla had this too, really bad. She would scream for six hours a night and it lasted until she was almost a year when we figured the reflux out (she swallowed hers so there was no sign). I used a NOJO sling and it worked miracles. We also had her sleep in her chair a lot (kinda like a car seat) during the day so she was at an angle. I feel for you, I know what you are going through!

By Amecmom on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 04:51 pm:

Thanks ladies. I did finally put her in a snugli. She was quieter in that. Eventually she was able to go to sleep last night. The reflux was so bad I could hear "wet burps" going on inside her. She also does not spit up, so she's constantly swallowing the acid.
She wasn't even comfortable in her car seat or in her bouncy seat.

She also has serious constipation issues. I have to stimulate her more often than not to produce a BM. I think the zantac has made the constipation worse. She's on karo, but that's not working too well. Any ideas?

Today she's much better. She's sleeping now. I hope that does not mean she won't sleep tonight.
Ame

By Andi on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 07:13 pm:

When DD was was born for the first couple months we had issues with spitting up all over and she seemed to be uncomfortable from Gas or upset stomach. The doctor rold us to give her Mylanta and that worked great. We gave her a 1/4 teaspoon about 3-4 times a day and it really worked for her. She is 4 months old now and I really don't have to do much for her.

Good Luck and I hope things get better for all of you fast.

By Tink on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 07:49 pm:

The only thing I've heard for constipation, other than Karo syrup, is a teaspoon of prune juice. Honestly, I'm not even sure if it works. None of my dks had trouble with constipation. Lots of hugs.

By Kim on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 10:21 pm:

We did prune jiuce and it worked great. You don't need much, but I cannot remember how much to use!

By Andi on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 - 10:42 pm:

Yes, Prune juice, about 1 ounce diluted with some water. I remember the nurse told me to have DD drink water when she would get constipated. So I kept a bottle of water close by so she could suck on it.

By Vicki on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - 12:02 pm:

To be honest, with all of this going on with her, I wouldn't do anything with out talking to the Dr. If you give her something for constipation, it could make her reflux even worse. Have you been talking to the dr? What is he/she telling you about all of this??

By Amecmom on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - 02:54 pm:

Thanks Vicki, The doc is sticking with the karo and the stimulation for now. The zantac and the levsin can cause constipation.
She's really too little right now for prune juice. I will sometimes give her a little sugar water in between feedings if she's looking for something because the levsin has a dehydrating effect.

My doc is really great and we have excellent communication.

She's been great so far today, and she slept really well last night! From 11:30 'til 4:30 am. After her feeding, she was up for a bit, but went back to sleep and slept until I woke her around 9 am.

She's was up on and off this morning, very alert and smiley!!! Now she's sleeping.

The doc said she might have picked up a virus which made the reflux worse.

Hope this continues ...
Ame

By Vicki on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 - 07:03 pm:

Wow, that has to be tough to be so up and down! I guess you just enjoy the good times and wait for the bad! I am glad she seems to be feeling better and I hope for both of you that it continues!! Poor little thing... it has to be uncomfortable for her... I know that is hard to remember during the 4th hour of screaming. LOL