Eliminating Dairy to combat silent reflux

[lsmama]

Hello.  DD #2 is 4 weeks and we suspect she has silent reflux.  Lots of blood-curdling screams about 15-20 mins after a feed.  Pulls off the breast & coughs from time to time.  Makes hiccuping sound often.  But doesn't spit up.  She was a big baby (9 lbs 14 oz) and has been gaining appropriately.  She nurses well and sleeps well.  She just has these agonizing crying jags afterwards that are heartbreaking.

Anyway, our ped. suggested that I eliminate dairy & caffeine to see if it helped.  I've just finished my 1st week.  He suggested doing it for 2 weeks and then reintroducing to see if that helps.  We also started Zantac which did seem to help, though it very much depends on whether we can get it into her and then wait 15-20 mins to feed.  Very diificult to coordinate!

Looking to hear from others who have experienced this.  In particular, I'm curious about how and when you "challenged" the dairy.  If it takes 2 weeks to get it out of your system, how long does it take for it to re-enter your milk?  Will the difference be pronounced if there is a sensitivity?  I'm worried that it will be really ambiguous.  I will eliminate anything I need to to help my baby, but I would LOVE to avoid radically changing my diet if the effect is inconclusive.

Also, if you did eliminate dairy, did you begin taking calcium supplements?  If so, what kind?

Thanks!

[elluin]

I already don't eat dairy, but for my daughter wheat made her reflux much worse. The difference was definitely noticeable, especially in retrospect (I wasn't certain so I tried to reintroduce wheat and then I felt awful). Cutting wheat did not fix her reflux entirely, but she had less painful crying episodes. When I tried to reintroduce wheat or when I accidentally ate some she would be fussy or crying again after nursing. It does seem to take about 1-2 weeks for even a small amount to get out of my milk. I think most nursing/food sensitivities (dairy, wheat and soy being the most common) are similar in that sense.

Also, chiropractic treatment really helped our daughter's reflux. For her, chiropractic, no wheat and upright positioning were the winning combination... good luck finding what works for your little one!

[mellzey]

My DS had a LOT of gas and the screaming and crying.  I cut out all dairy and It took about a week for it to all clear up and for me not to mess up and have something on accident. It is so worth it. He is a different baby now!!! I can eat goat products and they wont bother him and I still get calcium. Our chiropractor also helped a LOT. It is hard at first but stick with it for a while just to be sure.