She brings up so much milk - and hungry AGAIN!

[*Julie*]

   Hi everyone, I`m so frustrated...
Daniella is sick so much, almost after each meal she brings up a lot of milk - sometimes fresh, sometimes semi-digested (white clots)
  I know she`s not malnourished as she is gaining weight and weeing/pooing a lot but I end up having to feed her sometimes EVERY HOUR because she throws up lots and then cries for a feed again. She won`t take a dummy, won`t go to sleep unless I feed her!
  She sucks for around 10 mins and appears happy. (And no, I don`t let her fall asleep on the breast.)
 
  It gets me down because
  1. I fear that she snacks (re: sucks for only 10-15 mins)
  2. I am locked into a cycle of feeding - cleaning up sick - and feeding!

  I need to hear I`m not alone and perhaps what to do?  I`m trying to establish EASY with her and she`d respond so well (Textbook - Touchy) but the puke issue throws us off everytime! 
  
   H E L P ! ! ! 

[lisi's mum]

Have you ruled out reflux or an overactive let down on your side? Often a refluxer will spit up alot and want to feed often as this soothes the acid in their throats rather than from hunger.

there's a lot of info on this link about causes of excessive spitting up and how to minimize it.

http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/reflux.html#normal

[donna_issabella]

Hi Julie,

Sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment!! Bet your laundry bill is sky high

So Daniella brings up large amounts of milk? Does she seem in discomfort with it? How does she feed? Is she breast or formula? How long after she feeds does she bring up?

It sounds like she might have reflux. Not all babies with reflux experience pain when they reflux. If she is bringing up such big amounts, digested and semi-digested milk, it might be worth looking into it. Also, gaining weight does not exclude the possibility of reflux.

What do you do with her after feeds? Lie her down, or keep her upright? Genereal advice is to keep LO upright 30 minutes after a feed. Makes it difficult when they are super small, as that is almost the full extent of their A time, but it does pay off. Does your DD wind well? Any other problems with gassiness or windiness?

Many of us have been there. Hang in there!!

xx
DI

[donna_issabella]

Oops, *blush* I just saw you posted on the BF board... needless to say, ignore the question of what do you feed her with... (I blame sleep deprivation!)

[*Julie*]

  Thanks for replying.
 She can be sick anytime between feeds,from a few mins to an hour or more.
 Sometimes she seems in discomfort immediately before she`s sick  and grunts a lot.
 I try to keep her upright as much as possible,even raised her mattress which helped a little at night. During the day she has to nap in the bouncy chair because it`s more upright.
  As for wind,she burps well and is not bothered by gas.
 
  Re: reflux, you have just confirmed my fear because it probably is reflux.
  I`ve heard of meds, but has anyone any info of whether any alternative methods work? Like craniosacral etc.?

  Thanks Julie

[donna_issabella]

CCranial osteopathy has helped for some, but if it is a physiological thing - ie the way things work in your LO's body, the success is limited.

If she brings up curdled and undigested milk - Henry used to bring up undigested milk sometimes 2 hours later - it might be worthwhile trying to eliminate dairy from your diet. If you check out the food allergy board for an example of the foods you can and cannot eat.

What does her nappies look like? Does she sometimes have an unexplained nappy rash?

Using a thickener would be difficult due to the BF, but if you are in the UK there is Gaviscon Infant which helps to thicken the milk and might make the reflux better.

[deb]

We didn't go the alternative route, opting for Zantac instead, but I have heard of some moms who've REAVED about chiropractic and/or CST.

There are different kinds of meds for reflux (the voice of experience here, even 5-1/2 years later!!!! ): one kind reduces the acid in the stomach, so when reflux does occur, it's less painful. J was gaining TOO MUCH weight for a while because when she nursed, the milk was soothing the pain in her esophagus; once we got her on Zantac she was a different baby like 2 days later. There are also meds that work to control the refluxing action itself. (I'm not familiar with which ones are which any more beyond the Zantac, so you may have to do some digging and/or rely on moms w/more recent experience.

The good news: reflux meds have basically zero side effects AND most babies outgrow reflux around 4 months; more extreme cases by 6, some still have it at a year, but that's really the exception.

Hang in there! And let us know what you try and how it works so we can learn from you!

[*Julie*]

  Thank you donna isabella (sorry don`t know your name) and thank you Deb!
 It makes me feel better straight away just to read your input.
 Off to see a doc today, will let you know how it goes.

  Re: bringing up fresh milk - she only brings up undigested milk soon after the feed, otherwise it`s curdled.

[*Julie*]

  A quick update - we got Gaviscon Infant so I`ve been giving it to her and it made a difference - a lot more stays down and we finally get long feeds and more time in between! 
  The only trouble with this Gaviscon is that you have to make it up  (powder+water) and give it in a syringe or bottle after a feed. So a lot of faffing about and she still might not take it  Easier if you formula feed or express...
  Thanks for reading 

[daisymelan]

I was just going to say that it sounds exactly like my first lo.  But I see you have found help.  Hopefully it works for you and your lo is in more comfort. 

[donna_issabella]

I used to actually give the water/milk and gaviscon before a feed, as I was afraid he might fill himself on the milk and not take the gaviscon afterwards.

Then I started to express and mix with the milk... Was horrendous but did it for near enough two months, until we switched to formula, as I was due to go to work.

I am super pleased that she is keeping much more down!!! Long may it continue!

xx
DI

[lisi's mum]

Glad things seem to be settling down a bit