Bf baby with reflux?

So it looks like dd has reflux. She has spit up twice and choked to where she stopped breathing and turned blue. The first time we called the after hours pedi line and she had us call ems. She was fine so they left and didn't make us go to te hospital. She just didn't again today   I called the pedi and they said they have nothing available. I even asked for a diff day or anything and they just keep transferring me to the nurse exchange. Well they haven't called me back  

So what do u have to do for your bf baby's reflux? Will they end up having her go on cereal as a thickener or just keep doing what I was told and laying her on her right side at a 45 degree angle after she eats?

The first time it happened she was done eating and just laying in my arms sleeping like an angel. This time she was eating and pooped Out her diaper so I layed her on her back on my legs so I could sit up and she started choking. I got her breathing again and layed her on her right side in my arms at an angle while I called the pedi and she puked more. Luckily she was able to cough it up and not choke. But I can't even sleep in fear shell choke to death in her sleep   the nurse isn't calling me back and I'm getting worried. She's sleeping and seems to be breathing fine now. But I just wish they'd call And tell me what to do to help her. Te angle thing seems to work. She still spits up Sometimes but doesn't choke. But idk if shell always be that lucky   Shes premature so idk if that has to do with her esophageal sphincter being delayed. Any experiences or advice would be appreciated   thanks.

Quoting lolajessup:" So it looks like dd has reflux. She has spit up twice and choked to where she stopped breathing and turned ... [snip!] ... so idk if that has to do with her esophageal sphincter being delayed. Any experiences or advice would be appreciated   thanks."

My son did this in the begining.. We didn't start cereal until last Monday with him and that was because it was affecting his weight. They started him on meds to help him out and it was for a while but 2 weeks ago we switched his pravicid to morning hours and the dr added zatac and told us she would discuss cereal with his pedi at his following appointment which was the next week. She wanted him seen on a weekly basis for weight check but his pedi is kinda annoying me and just acts like it doesn't matter. I know when his first started they didn't want to start cereal at the time they didn't feel it was necesarry because it wasn't affecting his weight but now that it has thats what they have recomended. With his cereal and the new combination of medications has been AMAZING difference!! He eats like a little piggie.. Also don't stop breastfeeding it is so much better then formula with reflux babies because it doesn't sit on their tummy as long as formula does. Although my son isn't on the breast he only gets breastmilk and now added 1 tablespoon of cereal to thicken a little mixed with his breastmilk.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Kaylees mommy:</b>" My son did this in the begining.. We didn't start cereal until last Monday with him and that was because ... [snip!] ... isn't on the breast he only gets breastmilk and now added 1 tablespoon of cereal to thicken a little mixed with his breastmilk."</blockquote>

Yeah I hear formula is so much worse for reflux. They can't make me stop Bfing. Is there something I'm eating that can make it worse? I'll stop anything I need to. She doesn't spit up a lot usually so I hope it doesn't affect her weight. She has a wic appt tomorrow so well see if she gained weight. The dr said to pump first to get some foremilk out so she's getting more hindmilk. But Its very hard when shes screaming in hunger cause I haven't got my electric Pump yet and im using a hand pump and I need two hands for it. It works good it's just time consuming and I can't do it while she's eating. I do try to keep my boobs from getting that full feeling inbetween feeds.

Did your son ever choke? How'd u know he had reflux to begin with?

My LO had reflux like that. She always choked and turned blue/purple. Sometimes it happened multiple times a day. The doctor was concerned about the choking and put her zantac (it didn't help) so after three days I took her off of it. She was choking on the medicine as well. They prescribed reglan but I didn't like the side effects and didn't feel it was safe for her to take. Eventually the reflux just got better, no choking episodes, still lots of spit up but she wasn't screaming in pain like she was before. Now she rarely spits up and is almost 5 months old. It got better around 3 months. Her doctor told me at her reflux check up that recently he was doing some sort of medical board review and they were discussing reflux in infants. He said that research now shows that most medicines don't help much for reflux and even sitting babies up at a certain angle didn't necessarily help (sometimes made it worse). He told me the only thing they found to help in most cases was thickening the formula or breast milk. He told me that as long as she wasn't losing weight, continuing with the choking episodes and no longer screaming and hurting the way she used to, that there was no reason for further treatment. I would be pissed that they can't get you in to evaluate her, maybe try a different pediatrician? I hope her choking stops soon, I know how scary it can be!

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Kaylees mommy:</b>" My son did this in the begining.. We didn't ... [snip!] ... my boobs from getting that full feeling inbetween feeds. Did your son ever choke? How'd u know he had reflux to begin with?"

Thats what I heard as well so I pump every day and still at night time for him.. Yes he chokes, gags, spits up, refuses to eat sometimes and has stopped breathing.. It has been a few weeks since he has had an episode of stopping breathing though. The only thing I was told don't drink caffine and avoid spicey food other then that they told me it wouldn't affect his reflux. I hope that she has gained some weight and that you can get your pump in soon! She is fine on the breast it wont make reflux worse or better I just had to pump because he woudln't relatch after suplimenting while waiting for my milk to come in.. Once you get your pump in and when after some of the feedings you could always pump and freeze to save later in case she does end up needing cereal later on you will have it to mix.. Also after every feeding hold her upright for half an hour and I also bought the rock in play sleeper since it has a slight elavation to help as well. So far adding the new meds and cereal is working wonders for my son so far.. He goes next week for his weight check and I'm so nervous! He was a chunker at birth and isn't anymore he has dropped down a lot and fast down the charts. Also burp frequently this may help as well. Good job on breastfeeding   I know i've had some try and talk me into formula and I would get so down and every time I would talk to the medical profesional about it they tell me absultulty not don't quit breastmilk is so much better for him.. So i've been pumping for 4 months now!

Ok sorry how we knew well to be honest I had no clue until the dr said he did.. We went in for a two week check up and I asked the dr if it was ok for him to stop breathing and to choke and gag and he told me to give him a minute to look over him and then he told me that he has reflux that we wouldn't treat yet because he wasn't having crying screaming fitss yet (which that started the following week) He tod me the reason he would stop breathing was so he could move the stuff where it needed to go either to spit it out or to swallow it.. Also if babies have really bad reflux it gets worse inbetween 4-6 months it starts to really peak and then gradualy gets better after that.

Meds won't help reflux unless there is an acid component causing pain. My first was super pukey and it's just a weak sphincter problem they grow out of. He got put on acid reflux formula and it made a huge difference for his spitting up. But if you refuse formula there isn't much to do beyond what you already are and will have to deal with it until she starts growing out of it in the next several months.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Mel152009:</b>" My LO had reflux like that. She always choked and turned blue/purple. Sometimes it happened multiple ... [snip!] ... get you in to evaluate her, maybe try a different pediatrician? I hope her choking stops soon, I know how scary it can be!"</blockquote>


Did they have u thicken the bm? Were u Bfing the whole time? how can u tell if they aspirate the milk? That's my concern   I just got a call from the nurse but was talking to Dhs. Gaaah!!! So I had to leave another message   I hope she outgrows this. I sleep on the couch with her on my chest cause I'm so afraid of it happening while we're sleeping  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Kaylees mommy:</b>" Thats what I heard as well so I pump every day and still at night time for him.. Yes he chokes, gags, ... [snip!] ... about it they tell me absultulty not don't quit breastmilk is so much better for him.. So i've been pumping for 4 months now!"</blockquote>


Yeah I've been freezing everything. When do they start thickening treatments?

Medication part is true if it is acid causing pain.. You can still breastfeed a baby that isn't acid related one that just pukes.. I asked the dr this the other day and she said we are taking care of this by adding the cereal that is the only difference in the formula is they added cereal to make it thicker so they can hold it down.. Thats what I am doing down I put just a little bit of cereal in his bottle to make it a bit thicker and it helps hold it down.. The only thing is when you use breastmilk you have to feed right away because breastmilk has enzymes that will break the cereal down and make it thin again which would defeat the purpose of adding the cereal.

<blockquote><b>Quoting BunnyGirl19:</b>" Meds won't help reflux unless there is an acid component causing pain. My first was super pukey and it's ... [snip!] ... to do beyond what you already are and will have to deal with it until she starts growing out of it in the next several months."</blockquote>

Yeah I don't think It's acid. I think it's a sphincter issue too. Formula just seems kind of rediculus to switch her to but I know u couldn't bf so u didn't really have a choice. She's not like projectile vomiting or anything. Just choking and spits some up. Luke a dribble. So she's keeping most of it.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Kaylees mommy:</b>" Medication part is true if it is acid causing pain.. You can still breastfeed a baby that isn't acid ... [snip!] ... has enzymes that will break the cereal down and make it thin again which would defeat the purpose of adding the cereal."</blockquote>

Since she doesn't take bottles would that have me tryin to spoon feed her then?

She seems so gassy today. She keeps waking up in pain. I burp her constantly. And she's been tooting up a storm. Idk if that's a sign of anything.

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Kaylees mommy:</b>" Thats what I heard as well so I pump every ... [snip!] ... pumping for 4 months now!"</blockquote> Yeah I've been freezing everything. When do they start thickening treatments?"

They try and wait as long as possible it just depends on how severe the reflux is.. We just started with him last week and he turned 4 months the day before.. I know the pedi that first diognosed him said that if it became worse he would discuss adding cereal but I had to be seen back on base after so many days since DH is military.. I know some have to start early on and I know if they are formula fed I think the dr said the brand was Enfamil AR something I wanna say which already has the cereal added in it..

Quoting lolajessup:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Kaylees mommy:</b>" Medication part is true if it is acid causing ... [snip!] ... today. She keeps waking up in pain. I burp her constantly. And she's been tooting up a storm. Idk if that's a sign of anything."

If she is gassy as well try and avoid foods that cause gas.. I'm not sure
the dr would have to tell you that because my son was only son the breast in the hospital.. I know with 4 ounces of breastmilk I add 1 tablespoon of organic oatmeal cereal to his bottle

<blockquote><b>Quoting Kaylees mommy:</b>" They try and wait as long as possible it just depends on how severe the reflux is.. We just started ... [snip!] ... are formula fed I think the dr said the brand was Enfamil AR something I wanna say which already has the cereal added in it.."</blockquote>


I'm hoping she won't have it long and it's just an effect of bein preemie and it'll just take a little longer for her to mature in that area. I just hate the choking   it scares te smurf out of me