I got my baby back!!!

[Shanana]

Over the last week or two Sophie developed a pretty bad case of reflux. It kind of happened gradually, so I didn't realize just how bad things had gotten until yesterday morning when she projectile vomited -- out of her mouth and nose . She was screaming in pain, and I could hear her refluxing as well (silent reflux). She had turned from my happy, mellow baby into a baby who was clearly in pain, and fussy whenever she was awake.

So I talked to my homeopath and she recommended an herbal tincture of slippery elm (3 drops, 3xday). AND IT WORKED!!!! I gave her the first dose yesterday around 1 PM, she nursed, fell asleep, and when she woke up I had my baby back!!! :

It wasn't until then that I really realized how bad things had gotten. It dawned on me that nursing had become this frantic attempt on her part to manage the pain. She was always fussing and squirming and popping on and off the breast and wanting to nurse when I didn't think she was hungry. Then she would spit up and spit up and spit up and then fuss some more and want to nurse more. Repeat, repeat, repeat. We were also having to work hard to get her to sleep at night -- lots of bouncing and holding to try to soothe her. Now she's back to the way she was ... she just dozes off while I hold her and if I want to put her down I can! She's also much less fussy during diaper changes (I think lying her flat on her back was causing pain before).

Anyway ... if your baby has reflux, I can hands down recommend slippery elm! I could not be happier!!!

Now, if we could just get her gassiness in hand (doesn't bother her, but the all-night-squirm-a-thon sure keeps ME awake!).

[amyaebi]

You must be ecstatic! Enjoy your little girl!

Amy

[MamaJ2005]

That's wonderful Shanana!!! I am so happy for you!

[smeisnotapirate]

I'm so glad for you. Give your LO a kiss for me. Reflux sucks.

[mommy2naomi]

OMG! You just described Jaclyn all day... I ran over to the acupuncturist and she gave us some chinese herbal tummy tamer. The ingredients don't list slippery elm though, I tried to get slippery elm at the local apothecary but they only have it in powder form. What form did you buy it in?

[MamaWolfe]

You described my baby exactly! The funny thing is that I took slippery elm throughout my pregnancy because of reflux. I'll definitely discuss this with the mw.
Thanks!

[kwilki8]

I'm so glad she's feeling better! It's wonderful that you were able to resolve it early.

[Shanana]

Originally Posted by mommy2naomi

OMG! You just described Jaclyn all day... I ran over to the acupuncturist and she gave us some chinese herbal tummy tamer. The ingredients don't list slippery elm though, I tried to get slippery elm at the local apothecary but they only have it in powder form. What form did you buy it in?

nak

It's a liquid tincture, but you could try making a paste w/the powder and some breastmilk and see if that works.

[pdxmomazon]

I : homeopathy! So glad she's feeling better!

[sadiesmom]

so glad she's doing better!

[Shanana]

Originally Posted by mommy2naomi

OMG! You just described Jaclyn all day... I ran over to the acupuncturist and she gave us some chinese herbal tummy tamer. The ingredients don't list slippery elm though, I tried to get slippery elm at the local apothecary but they only have it in powder form. What form did you buy it in?

I was at Whole Foods tonight and checked out their selection ... they had a slippery elm tincture, the company was Gaia Herbs. Here's a link. They call it the "inner bark" but I'm assuming it's the same thing.

Originally Posted by pdxmomazon

I : homeopathy! So glad she's feeling better!

I love homeopathy too, but this one happens to be an herbal tincture . Just wanted to clarify for anyone who might be trying to find it .

Oh, and it seemed like it wasn't quite doing the trick today, so the homeopath said to give it to her every 4 hours instead of every 8. She seems to be doing better now. Homeopath said it's still a really low dose (3 drops is almost nothing), but the only thing bad that could happen if we give her too much is it might cause diarrhea.