Need advice from moms with reflux babies

Sherri - posted on 02/28/2011

Not yet Erin...but I guess it is time for further testing. He has been abck on his meds now for a week and no change whatsoever. In fact his eating is getting worse...he eats roughly 4 oz of food a day...thats it. And the only thing we can get him to eat is the 6 month baby food so he certainly isn't getting the nutrients a 15 month old baby needs...I dont think Ive gone a day in the last week without crying. My poor baby...if only I could take this away from him.

Erin - posted on 02/28/2011

sorry to say this, but have you had him checked for Autism? That is sometimes what Autistic kids act like. I hope I'm wrong, but whatever the case, it sounds like you have one very sick little boy. My heart goes out to you.

Joanie - posted on 02/24/2011

My eldest son had reflux - we had him on ranatidine, and stopped when he was about 9 months - but he reflux flared up again around 12 months - so we stated him on it again and kept him on it until we go the sleeping and eating under control, then stopped it. Just so we knew if there were problems with either we could rule out his reflux. Then we could concentrate on eating and sleeping and start stratgies for dealing with both. Some kids stay on the medication for a few years.
Eating was difficult - but don't stress as long as he is maintaining his weight take your time - we found puting small amounts of everything on the plate and letting him eat it with his fingers helped - a dietican told me that our responsibilities are to provide nutritious food and a stress free fun enviroment to eat, your child will get it eventually. Remember they will eat when they are hungry. My toddler is starving in the morning and loses his appetite as the day progresses - so i feed him lots in the morning and so I know he had the calories he needs.

Belinda - posted on 02/22/2011

Thats awfull maybe you should look into changing dr's. Lucky you have a good paed, fingers crossed for you

Kim - posted on 02/22/2011

I agree with other moms... take to the doctor asap. That's something we can't help you with. If your doctor doesn't feel there is anything wrong than get a second opinion! My boys both had reflux as infants, tried the medication route but with no success, but after switching to alimentum they were fine, now they are happy babies with no issues at all. Get that baby to see a gastroenterologist or however you spell it, or even an allergist.

Sherri - posted on 02/22/2011

Thank you Belinda! His Pedi definitely thinks it is his reflux causing the issues and has put him back on his renitatine. She says if there isn't a change in a week she will start further investigation into what is going on as well. I was so happy I cried...finally someone is taking this as seriously as I am. My family Dr compltely brushed it off. Some babies don't need much sleep she said. Your son is a fussy eater she said. Bull! I feed my son bottles all night long, up to 3, now just so that he won't loose weight. He is starving him literally because it hurts to eat. I sure hope for things to turn around for him soon...my son is my world!

Belinda - posted on 02/20/2011

Im in the same boat as you!! We finally found a medication and formula that controlled her silent reflux at 7 months old and within a week she was such a happy content little girl. We still had some teething sleep issues but nothing I felt was a major problem. Our paediatrician reccomended that at 10 to 12 months we cut her medication in half and see how she goes and that he would like her off it completely by 15 months or he would like to see her again and review everything just to make sure there are no other underlying problems as most children out grow their reflux by this age. I halved her medication at 10 months and within two days she was a screaming mess so we upped it again and I tried again at 13 months she was ok for a few days and then the sleep issues started and she became very irritable throughout the day, constantly needed entertained and was very clingy. I thought not much of it just figured it was a stage and perservered. It got worse up through the night up to 12 times sometimes and just beside herself during the day and like your little one stopped eating I could only manage to get her to eat a little toast. So I upped her dose again and within a few days she was a happy bubby again. I do have to say that in the time I had taken her off her losec she cut two teeth and seemed to have what I think was a tummy bug so Im going to give her a week or so back on it and try again. I dont think there is anything seriously wrong with my daughter I do think her reflux is still an issue though and that she may just take longer to grow out of it than most. It does sound to me like reflux is still the problem but im no proffessional just a mum living through the same kinda thing. In your gut I think you think it is too, I would take him back to the paediatrician and if you have to wait to long I would take him to the hospital. Its so hard on them and you, I hope you find a solution soon.

Sherri - posted on 02/18/2011

Thanks for responding Kristy. I have an apt Monday with his pediatric specialist. another Dr has already down played the significance of his symptoms and I have no intentions of coming home monday without some answers. He has only very recently gotten so hard to feed that he is loosing weight but you are so right it is serious business. I guess I just wanted to see if anyone else has been where I am. Monday seems do very far away!

Kristy - posted on 02/18/2011

I would be going to see my doctor asap. You need to find out what is causing this and what can be done to help. If your doctor doesnt listen then go to another and don't stop until you get the help that is needed. Loss of weight is a major concern. I have never had a baby that has had reflux but my friends babies that have had it, they have all grown out of it well and truly by 12 months. If baby wont eat or drink then i would be off to the ER, as bud will get dehydrated really easily and thats not good. Good luck, i hope you find the answers that are needed.