Thinking of baby nbr 2 but scared that one will have reflux too - experiences pls

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Permalink Reply by Beverley on May 14, 2011 at 8:42

Must be a tough decision! All I can say is that I've got 2 local friend who had a horrendous time with their first reflux babies and both have said that the second time was nothing like as bad because they knew the signs and the system and didn't put up with any crap from the medics. One of them has managed the symptoms just with ranitidine. The other needed omeperazole but has been weaned off all medication by one. I'm sure there are people who still have a nightmare second time around but I thought I'd share those positive stories. Good luck! X

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 14, 2011 at 9:04

I have two refluxers, but our paed says that's just very bad luck! Yes, reflux has some sort of genetic link, but you aren't absolutely guaranteed to have a second refluxer so please don't let it put you off having another baby! I know everything is very 'raw' at the moment because you are only just coming out of the end of a  very rough 23 months, but imagine how you would feel in 20 years time if you chose not to have another baby because of a few months of sleepless nights!  Both my daughters have reflux related to intolerances. My elder daughter was CMPI (diagnosed at 6 weeks) and my younger daughter has multiple intolerances (diagnosed at 2 days old when they actually thought she must have atresia/malrotation due to the severity of the vomiting!). I know of two other mums of more than one refluxer, and they've found the second massively easier to manage because the symptoms of both have been the same. In their experiences, they've found that the doctors listen to them and get the babies onto immediate medication. Unfortunately for me, my little one is FAR more poorly and her condition is more difficult to control (but it's really rare), but we are genuinely coping with it much, much better because of the experience the first time around and I really think we have been exceptionally unlucky!!! Oh and both my girls vomit for Great Britain. You cope! You just need a very good washing machine :-) Doctors definitely listen straight away!  Go on.... have another baby! They're scrummy!

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Permalink Reply by Emma on May 14, 2011 at 10:37

I'm with Sarah go for it. Yes it's hard, especially with 2 but like the others say no2 may not be a refluxer or you'll know the signs. My 2nd was worse but with my first it took 5 months for anyone to listen to me and she was only out on special milk and omep/Dom at 2! I never knew anything drugs existed. But with no2 it's been easier to get drugs for reflux it's the intolerance side if things I've struggled with. But if I have a 3rd I'll know what to look for.

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Permalink Reply by Vanessa Rollinson on May 14, 2011 at 11:05

I have only got the one but I'm worried about this too however as the others have said its not guaranteed that your second will have reflux plus you know the signs so as soon as anything like reflux started you know what medication to get and can go straight to the doctor and you wont need to go through months and months of struggle and exhaustion and upset wondering what the heck is wrong xx

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Permalink Reply by geribstewart on May 15, 2011 at 2:05

Thank you all for your replies!  It's great to hear positive stories out there and to see how well you have all coped with nbr 2! Verity, it's taken me 23 months to start thinking about number 2, thinking only, not doing anything about it!!  Samuel was tiny at birth and was full term.  My ob gyn here isn't happy about that at all and won't let me conceive until I've had lots of tests done to determine the cause.  I asked docs in england why he was so tiny (my placenta was tiny too) and I was just ignored so I'm glad they are taking me seriously here.  For all we know, his small size could have massively contributed to his reflux. 

 

I really appreciate your advice and hopefully we'll end up having a healthy non refluxy nbr two at some point in the future (paeds here do believe nbr 2 will have reflux though!!). 

 

xx 

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Permalink Reply by Sara B on May 15, 2011 at 10:20

Hi Geri,

I was in just the same place as you last winter. I have one refluxer who is fab and I wouldn't change but she is such a sociable child we felt we owed her a brother or sister to play with. I am now 20 weeks pregnant, which will give us an age gap of  just over 16 months. I had other reasons for having another so quickly despite not being totally sure about the whole thing but I know we will love it just the same as we do our little girl. With the benefit of this site and hindsight I have no intention of standing any truck from the medics. I am banking on it being a refluxer and if it is not then that will be an absoloute bonus!

I am sure if you have the strength to manage one you will be fine with number 2.

Fingers crossed all round

Best wishes

Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Lara Hamilton on May 15, 2011 at 10:47

Hi

I don't know all that many people who have had refluxers (except us of course), however I do know 2 people who have had severe silent refluxers with their first baby and absolutely no problems at all with baby number two.  Nicole is my second, so we were never planning any more anyway but I would say that while there is a lot of research to say next baby is quite likely to have it, out of me and my two friends with babies with reflux, there second hasn't had it.

Good luck and hope you do decide to have a second - like you say you're much better prepared this time, you know the symptoms, and from what I can gather, they are much more willing to help babies quicker over there.

Lara xx

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Permalink Reply by Jenny Rawling on May 15, 2011 at 20:09

I've asked this a few times as we haven't completely ruled out a number 3. DS1 was fine, DS2 has silent reflux and CMPI. Our consultant says we are unlikely to have another refluxer, but as questioning my mother makes me think I probably had CMPI as a baby I think there's a fairly high chance we might. I've seen figures as high as 85% likelihood of the next baby being the same, but I can't find anything backed up by research. Certainly the experience of the people on here seems to be a lot of them have two - maybe because the CMPI or multiple food intolerances runs in families rather than straight reflux? A few months back I would have said no way were we risking that again, now things are more settled and we are all getting some sleep occasionally the idea starts to appeal more....as someone else said in 20 years it will be a distant memory, it would be a shame to limit your family size for the sake of a tough year. I agree with a subsequent child I'd be much better informed, take no crap from anyone and get them on the right diet and meds ASAP.

Hope you are blessed with a no 2 with perfect digestion who sleeps through at 6 weeks ;) Jen xx

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Permalink Reply by Katrina Holdsworth on May 15, 2011 at 22:13

My 1st baby didn't have reflux but no 2 does. I would like a third eventually so this is an interesting discussion for me too.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Moore on May 16, 2011 at 10:31

My first little one was a happy spitter and number two had terrible reflux.  We aren't planning number 3 as I feel too old!  But would presume they would have reflux as well if we did.   I agree with Jenny about it becoming a distant memory - I went through hell with number 2 but now it is already receeding in my mind two years later and if younger would definitely consider another. 

 

Sarah x

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Permalink Reply by Alison Jones on May 16, 2011 at 21:33

My sons paedaetrician told me that 1 in 2 babies have reflux but to varying levels.  Would say you have a 50/50 chance of having another reflux baby but would say not to have that as a deciding factor on having another baby as you may regret it later in life.

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