Gail's Page

Hiya gail just a query are you giving him the full sachet of gaviscon in the comfort milk ?? only asking because Lydia was on the comfort milk which is great but when we added the gaviscon the milk became very thick and she struggled to feed.I contacted cow and gate and they dont recommend putting the full sachets in only 1/2 sachets as it has a naturel whey which thickens the milk so although it isnt a thicked milk as such when you add the gaviscon it becomes so. Weve now put her onto SMA lf with the full gaviscon which seems to working but shes still struggling with the SR. Ive found putting her in a baby graco swing really helps to settle her and also putting her in the bouncer chair as its upright oh and tilting his cot at night so that the acid dosnt come up as far :). As for routines we havnt got one but if you think of the pain our little ones are in its very hard to establish one and all children are different so dont worry that the mums at baby groups have routines he will establish his own at his pace.were trying the bath, massage, bottle and bed thing at the moment which worked for my other daughter so good luck and chin up.

HI Gail Lydias on the SMA LF lactose free milk as the HV and Dr thought she may be lactose intollerant.We were using level 3 teats with the dr brown bottles but Lydia has quite a weak suck so thats prob why we had the problems. We had the same well shes puttting oin weight etc BUT if there not being sick they are going to put on weight arnt they it annoys me as well. So have you been refered yet and whens your appointment also is he only on gaviscon?? were at the drs tommorow and dont really know where to go next.

Hi Gail!
Lucie is my first child and her first recognisable symptoms of reflux appeared about 3- 4 weeks old (she is now nearly 7 weeks). I worry too about putting her in her own room, but we won't be doing that until she is at least 6 months so I'll have to deal with it at the time - and hopefully she'll be doing much better by then. We had to wait about 2 weeks for the appointment at the hospital and you shouldn;t have to wait much longer because I think most paediatric stuff is fast-tracked. I hope you get a sympathetic doctor and certainly ask for stronger meds if the Gaviscon is not doing the trick.
Lucie has good and bad days, and today for her is likewise a bad day - she has basically screamed herself hoarse this afternoon and hardly eaten anything because she keeps pulling away. I was in tears by the time she went to bed, though she must have worn herself out because she went straight to sleep.
Hope that Callum has a better day tomorrow and let us know how you get on with your appointment.

HI again. well the drs appointment was a failure she just said keep her on the gaviscon and LF milk? i mentioned that although she was better shes still screaming in pain and unwell but she was reluctant to prescribe anything stronger. Some people on another site have mentioned Domeriode(sp) or something similiar which is ment to strenthen the muscle and aliviate the reflux.I havnt seen a consultant or been refered as yet i just feel that reflux isnt taken seriously enough. hope ur both doing ok

Hi Gail,
Sorry for not getting back in touch before now, but life has been a bit hectic and Dec has been unwell (again!). This tims with an ear infection and croup, which has been a bit of a nightmare. This is his 3rd episode of 'croup' and I think it is all related to his reflux. We started the new med (omeprazole) about 9 days ago and are seeing little effects yet, but am unsure how long it takes to work. The cons said give it 2 weeks and if no effect add in domperidone. We were also really upset after appt, as he took bloods to test for chromosome/metabolic disorders and has referred him for an MRI scan, as he feels Dec is significantly developmentally delayed. We were just expecting his meds to be altered, so were a bit taken aback. the dietician and SALT both think that uncontolled reflux can delay development, but the cons didn't seem too fussed about his reflux. We are both a bit gutted and are trying not to imagine all sorts.
Going back to our original post, I wouldn't worry at all about routines, just go with what works for you and Callum and please don't compare him to other babies (easy to say I know!) He was early and he has had that to contend with on top of his reflux and it will all come together in the end. Ha Ha-Not that I'm supermum or anything! I know the early weeks and months with both of mine were really hard and any routine we established were just kind of fallen into, as opposed to involving any great planning on my part! Now most of my routine with Declan is to do with the school run with Benedict and I know that Declan has had to fit in with the rest of us much more than Ben ever did. Not sure if I've been any use at all really, but it sounds like you are doing a great job and really trying your hardest for your son, which is the best you can ever do as a parent. Do let me know how things are going - I do look forward to coming on here and catching up!

Hi to everyone on this thread. Just wondered how everyone was getting on. Lucie is doing okay on her meds, though still screaming the house down after most meals! We still don't venture out the house for long periods as it is just to harrowing. Have you got an appointment for Callum yet Gail? Lucie's stomach scan is this Thursday so has come through really quickly. Not sure what happens if they confirm the diagnosis but hey. I am trying to cut out most dairy from my diet on Michelle's advice and I have noticed a difference in the mornings now I don't have cereals and milk. Perhaps its worth a try? Anyway hope to hear how you are getting on and that it's getting better for you. I've had to learn, as Joy said, not to compare Lucie to other babies her age because she is different and as a friend told me "reflux babies break all the rules". It's so true!

Hi Gail
Thanks for the mail, Would be happy to share the weaning tips but not having much luck at the momment! and could do with some myself. Toby is nothing like my other two who both weaned really easily. Toby is very reluctant with certain foods, mainly savoury and we have had a couple of ractions to certain foods, possiable chesse but we are not sure so I am trying dairy free at the momment. How is your baby doing?

Hi Gail
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply but we've had some difficult days with Alexandra and just realised i'd got back to everyone except you. It's hard to be on top of these things when you're feeling exhausted 24/7, so, sorry!
Glad to hear you finally got your referral to the pediatrician, isn't it pathetic that we have to beg and insist so that our little ones get proper medical attention. And the UK is suppossed to be a role model in terms of health care! Isn't it funny how reflux is such a common condition these days and yet professionals keep failing to spot it, maybe some bloody retraining would help!!
When in dec is it? Let me know how it goes. My consultant wants me to start weaning Alex as soon as she is 4 months, but I'm a bit weary. Let me know what your consultant says about that, it'd be interesting to see whether they have different views on this.
So, how's Callum doing at the moment? I really hope he's well and settled- as much as a baby with reflux can be, that is.
Let me know how you're getting on.
Helena x