Talk to me about reflux . . . .

[kristen1978]

Was talking to an LC today about DSs (12 weeks, EBF) nursing behavior over last couple of days. She suggested maybe reflux, was curious what you all think.

DS is now squirmy at the breast, pulls on and off and on and off, cries. Not scrunchy/gassy since eliminating dairy, but still squirmy and now the pull on-off occurs at most daytime feeds, coming off breast every few seconds until he gets really upset and I give up :. Nurses fine overnight while sleepy. Fussier than usual between feeds. Seems like he's getting hardly anything during the day -- can't believe he isn't hysterical.

LC says sounds like pain, either reflux or teething.

Oh, and minimal spitup, plenty of wets/stools, but sometimes green poop.

Thoughts?

[Valian]

Its not ringing my reflux bells. I'd guess from the green stools he's getting more foremilk and not enough hindmilk in the short sessions. Block feeding may help this. Are you eating different foods? With the change in seasons/holidays are you perhaps eating more for a food that has been in your diet? With my Ds at 12 weeks popping on and off the breast meant he needed to pee. We took a break from nursing, let him pee, then went back to nursing. That took us a while to figure out but once we did it seemed like a flashing neon sign from him: let me pee!

Have you changed nursing positions to see if it helps? Keep Ds upright for 30-45 minutes after each feeding and see if that helps. You can try a few of the reccomended things for reflux babies and see if it helps without actually needing to medicate, kwim?

When reflux appered in Ds it was a whole new cry, a very distinct something is wrong here folks cry. It wasn't after every feeding, it seemed to build up all day and hit hard later afternoon. He was fussy at the breast but it also showed as a nursing aversion. Clearly hungry and is screaming but refuses the breast, shortens nursing sessions to absolute minimum, must be coaxed into nursing, wakes instantly if laid flat.

[kristen1978]

We've been block feeding for about 3 weeks to see if that's the cause of the green stools and gassiness. Not at all perfect with remembering to do this, though. Stools are still green but DS is not as gassy now, but might be also due to the dairy elimination.

Speaking of positions, over the last week or so DS will NOT nurse with me sitting up. Only manage to get him to nurse while I am side-lying, holding his top hand or else he flails his arm. Otherwise he pulls off and on and tries to look around. Havent tried football again recently, but I will.

How did you figure out that he needed to pee? So what do you do, just do something else for a few minutes to give him the opportunity? I never thought that a babe couldn't nurse and pee at the same time . . . . .

Thanks for your help!

[crocus]

This sounds so much like what I've been going through with DD (13 weeks). She went from having few difficulties feeding to, beginning about 3 weeks ago, pulling off the breast, arching her back, screaming and refusing to eat except when laying down. Every time she eats sitting up I have myself a little internal celebration. (DH doesn't seem to understand how exciting this is.) When she doesn't want to eat while I sit, it takes awhile to calm her down.

One thing that has been working for us is to hold her in cradle position and walk around until she latches on in her own time. (after a bit more screaming.) Close your curtains for this. Also, nursing in a sling is sometimes successful (whenever I can get it on right while she is screaming.)

I'm in the middle of moving right now and am under quite a bit of stress. Perhaps DD feels the stress, too?

[Valian]

Originally Posted by kristen1978

We've been block feeding for about 3 weeks to see if that's the cause of the green stools and gassiness. Not at all perfect with remembering to do this, though. Stools are still green but DS is not as gassy now, but might be also due to the dairy elimination.

Speaking of positions, over the last week or so DS will NOT nurse with me sitting up. Only manage to get him to nurse while I am side-lying, holding his top hand or else he flails his arm. Otherwise he pulls off and on and tries to look around. Havent tried football again recently, but I will.

How did you figure out that he needed to pee? So what do you do, just do something else for a few minutes to give him the opportunity? I never thought that a babe couldn't nurse and pee at the same time . . . . .

Thanks for your help!

Sorry to hear the block nursing hasn't helped. Do you think your Ds is in pain? Was it just the LC's suggestion or do you think something is wrong? I couldn't tell from your post. Also, IIRC, around 3 mo is a time when there are some intestinal tract changes and the drooling/saliva production increases. That can wreck havoc with digestion. I know that's when Ds switched to pooping only every few days.

For peeing, I would stop nursing, lay him on the changing table and open his diaper (CD: prefold and cover) then make a cue noise, like with EC. He'd pee and kick a little, then I'd change the diaper and we'd resume nursing. Eventually I cut down on laundry and had him pee into a small bowl.

We figured it out because I had read a little about EC before Ds was born and thought it was crazy but was willing to give anything a try. The weird nursing pattern was driving me nuts because it both was and wasn't the same as his reflux stuff. Anyhow, its not that Ds couldn't pee and nurse, its that he didn't really want to nurse with a full bladder. He was uncomfortable and nursing relaxed him but he didn't want to pee in his diaper, or else he just wanted to pee first. I swear, my son has had a distinct idea of exactly what he wants from the time he was born.

[paula444four]

does

well to me it sounds like it could be reflux. my guy totally wanted to eat but would pull off and scream try again scream. it was so frustrating! i feel for you both. have you checked out www.infantrefluxdisease.com yet? there forums were a life saver for me when going through the thick of it.

just remember every situation and baby is unique...so what applies to one might not apply to you etc.

my son did teeth from 3 months on...and didnt get a tooth till 6 months...but that actually aggravates reflux..so maybe thats why its getting worse right now?

good luck and definitely look into it more...i feel like its a possibility.

[thepeach80]

The pulling on and off and crying are reflus signs, at least they were for my 2. Another thing you could do is eliminate soy as well (reflux won't make green poo). About 50% of kids w/ dairy issues, have soy issues too. All of mine had at least dairy, soy, and egg intolerances. The last 2 still needed reflux meds after diet changes. Ilana got off them at 6 mos (she started at 10days) and Evan was off them for good at 21 mos.