uddermummy
Well-Known Member
Hi, anyone with babies with moderate to severe reflux? Need help on which pediatrician to go to and common tips on how to cope.
thanks!
thanks!
mummies with babies with GERD (reflux)
- Thread starter uddermummy
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- gerd hereditary reflux regurgitate
Angelmum
Moderator
class no students with above so unable offer advice.
This is what I found, hope helpful. Reflux Disease (GERD)
This is what I found, hope helpful. Reflux Disease (GERD)
epicurean
Member
Hi, my baby boy has severe reflux (GERD). He sees Dr Marion Aw at NUH (Children's Specialist Clinic, Clinic A). He's on Ranitidine (otherwise known as Zantac) to minimise acid production so that his esophageus can heal from all the acid burning it each time he voms.
This website is excellent for info & tips on coping ... a lot of it worked for my baby.
Infant Reflux / Pediatric GERD - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Mothers Support Group and Much More - InfantRefluxDisease.com
My baby takes thickened smaller feeds at frequent intervals (2.5-3 hours) rather than large feeds. We use "Thick & Easy" thickener and/or rice cereal to find the right consistency for him. Post-feed, we hold him upright for an hour without moving him, even if he falls asleep. We only put him on his bed, in his chair or play with him after that hour ... that helps to minimise vom or amount of vom. Coz he sometimes coughs in his sleep & voms, he sleeps on his side on a raised (inclined) bed with his head raised higher than his tummy. Hubby found the inclined bed at "The First Years" (KK Hospital) and I raised it further using thick towels for a gradual slope so that he doesn't slip down. When he's in a lot of pain from the acid reflux and extremely unsettled, it helps a lot when I sit reclined against pillows and hold him vertically on my chest so that he's also on a recline. Btw, the 'monkey-hang' holding position is also good to ease reflux symptoms.
His GERD started from 3 months ... now still on-going at 1 year. Doc says it's likely to continue for many more months.
This website is excellent for info & tips on coping ... a lot of it worked for my baby.
Infant Reflux / Pediatric GERD - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, Mothers Support Group and Much More - InfantRefluxDisease.com
My baby takes thickened smaller feeds at frequent intervals (2.5-3 hours) rather than large feeds. We use "Thick & Easy" thickener and/or rice cereal to find the right consistency for him. Post-feed, we hold him upright for an hour without moving him, even if he falls asleep. We only put him on his bed, in his chair or play with him after that hour ... that helps to minimise vom or amount of vom. Coz he sometimes coughs in his sleep & voms, he sleeps on his side on a raised (inclined) bed with his head raised higher than his tummy. Hubby found the inclined bed at "The First Years" (KK Hospital) and I raised it further using thick towels for a gradual slope so that he doesn't slip down. When he's in a lot of pain from the acid reflux and extremely unsettled, it helps a lot when I sit reclined against pillows and hold him vertically on my chest so that he's also on a recline. Btw, the 'monkey-hang' holding position is also good to ease reflux symptoms.
His GERD started from 3 months ... now still on-going at 1 year. Doc says it's likely to continue for many more months.
uddermummy
Well-Known Member
thanks angelmum and epicurean!
epicurean, what are the symptoms of severe GERD?
the pd that i went to, she seems to think that i'm making a mountain out of molehill cos my dd not losing weight and seems to be quite alert. she even asked if i was projecting my own feelings of pain onto my bb!!!
but the thing is, my dd spits after every other meal and sometimes even up to 2 hours after feed. There are times when she spits out quite a bit of clear liquid that doesn't look like saliva-- suspect it's bile.
She can cry suddenly in great pain when lying on her back or when sleeping. And when she cries, she arches her back and cries herself blue in the face.
At night, she wakes up frequently crying in pain or arching her back and neck.
even after telling her all the symptoms, she still can tell me it's not serious.
but she still put my dd on domperidon. hope that it helps...
epicurean, what are the symptoms of severe GERD?
the pd that i went to, she seems to think that i'm making a mountain out of molehill cos my dd not losing weight and seems to be quite alert. she even asked if i was projecting my own feelings of pain onto my bb!!!
but the thing is, my dd spits after every other meal and sometimes even up to 2 hours after feed. There are times when she spits out quite a bit of clear liquid that doesn't look like saliva-- suspect it's bile.
She can cry suddenly in great pain when lying on her back or when sleeping. And when she cries, she arches her back and cries herself blue in the face.
At night, she wakes up frequently crying in pain or arching her back and neck.
even after telling her all the symptoms, she still can tell me it's not serious.
but she still put my dd on domperidon. hope that it helps...
Angelmum
Moderator
I know it is hard and tiring + heartache but probably u wanna read the 2 links that epicurean and I provided ..... yours sound severe, not mild case ... my DD had the mild case whereby every feed she regurgitated daohua (look like beancurd) slight move her will cos her feed to flow out. She didnt lose weight due to this, was with KKH since birth till she was diagnosed with chromosome deletion. She also couldnt sleep well at night, I had to sarong her and sit on an arm chair during her early months .... took milk with cereal slightly better.
Normal PDs may not be able to address yr needs cos they hardly see such cases.
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epicurean
Member
Hi uddermummy,
Main symptoms of severe GERD are weight loss & failure to thrive. That's probably when your PD is bit nonchalant about your baby's condition.
Before my baby was put on Zantac, he would scream, arch his back, try to wiggle off my lap when he burp. He usually has wet burps (can hear the milk coming back up into his throat). He would also merlion (I'm not kidding) his feed out ... half or 2/3 of his feed sprout of his mouth like a fountain, end up on him, me and puddle on the floor. Now he also cries when he burps coz he dislikes the sensation of the acid backing up into his esophageus ... like heartburn. Now amount of vom is significantly lesser tho' he has bad days when he would vom out some of almost every feed.
Spit up is normal, even hours after feed ... his doc told us that the daohua is partially digested milk. What got us worried was the amount he regurgitated and the pain he was experiencing (cry/scream during burp, arching of back).
Btw, watch out for colour of vom. If it's white, that's ok. But if light green or dark colour (like coffee beans), need to see doc ... doc told us that's something to do with intestines. Not sure about the clear liquid you mentioned ... phlegm?? I think bile is green colour.
Try putting your dd on recline to sleep ... it really makes a difference as it stops the acid from flowing up back into her esophageus as it would when she's lying flat. Read the website for tips on how to secure her bed.
Domperidon is a motility drug ie. it's to help to move food faster thru her system so there's less to vom. Try asking your PD for med to help reduce acid production coz your dd appears to be in quite a lot of pain fr that. I know of a 6-year-old boy with severe GERD ... he's on Zantac & domperidon.
Do you want to try to get an appt to see Dr Marion Aw? She's really good and very understanding ... she doesn't dismiss whatever concerns we have, however minor, trivial or silly sounding. She's also moderate & methodical so she won't suddenly suggest a lot of medication ... quite cautious in her approach. Best, she's a paed gastro-intestinal specialist and she knows her stuff. She only runs her clinic on Tues & Thurs btw.
Main symptoms of severe GERD are weight loss & failure to thrive. That's probably when your PD is bit nonchalant about your baby's condition.
Before my baby was put on Zantac, he would scream, arch his back, try to wiggle off my lap when he burp. He usually has wet burps (can hear the milk coming back up into his throat). He would also merlion (I'm not kidding) his feed out ... half or 2/3 of his feed sprout of his mouth like a fountain, end up on him, me and puddle on the floor. Now he also cries when he burps coz he dislikes the sensation of the acid backing up into his esophageus ... like heartburn. Now amount of vom is significantly lesser tho' he has bad days when he would vom out some of almost every feed.
Spit up is normal, even hours after feed ... his doc told us that the daohua is partially digested milk. What got us worried was the amount he regurgitated and the pain he was experiencing (cry/scream during burp, arching of back).
Btw, watch out for colour of vom. If it's white, that's ok. But if light green or dark colour (like coffee beans), need to see doc ... doc told us that's something to do with intestines. Not sure about the clear liquid you mentioned ... phlegm?? I think bile is green colour.
Try putting your dd on recline to sleep ... it really makes a difference as it stops the acid from flowing up back into her esophageus as it would when she's lying flat. Read the website for tips on how to secure her bed.
Domperidon is a motility drug ie. it's to help to move food faster thru her system so there's less to vom. Try asking your PD for med to help reduce acid production coz your dd appears to be in quite a lot of pain fr that. I know of a 6-year-old boy with severe GERD ... he's on Zantac & domperidon.
Do you want to try to get an appt to see Dr Marion Aw? She's really good and very understanding ... she doesn't dismiss whatever concerns we have, however minor, trivial or silly sounding. She's also moderate & methodical so she won't suddenly suggest a lot of medication ... quite cautious in her approach. Best, she's a paed gastro-intestinal specialist and she knows her stuff. She only runs her clinic on Tues & Thurs btw.
epicurean
Member
Hi uddermummy,
This is another good website that I use for reference. Crying Over Spilt Milk Spilly Vomiting Baby - Ideas from Parents
It explains very well the different types of medications (how to use etc) and interventions at various stages of reflux & GERD. Try to read about silent reflux coz even if baby doesn't vom a lot but is clearly in pain, that still shows acid backing up into the esophageus which is painful coz it has no lining unlike the stomach.
This is another good website that I use for reference. Crying Over Spilt Milk Spilly Vomiting Baby - Ideas from Parents
It explains very well the different types of medications (how to use etc) and interventions at various stages of reflux & GERD. Try to read about silent reflux coz even if baby doesn't vom a lot but is clearly in pain, that still shows acid backing up into the esophageus which is painful coz it has no lining unlike the stomach.
uddermummy
Well-Known Member
thanks angelmum and epicurean,
yeah, i was wondering why the doc gave me a motility drug. DD already on breast milk which is very easily digested. I actually wanted something to help reduce the pain caused by the acid.
will look at the sites provided. Have already looked up some info on www.reflux.com
will also try to make an appointment with marion au.
Thanks so much for your help.
Now I actually feed bb in sling in the daytime and let her sleep at 45 degree in the sling. I find that she sleeps better, burps better and is less likely to reflux in the sling. But I can't really do much with her in the sling.
Have also tried putting her in the bouncy chair but somehow she doesn't like it a lot.
haiz, really hope that she'll outgrow it by the time she's 1 year old.
yeah, i was wondering why the doc gave me a motility drug. DD already on breast milk which is very easily digested. I actually wanted something to help reduce the pain caused by the acid.
will look at the sites provided. Have already looked up some info on www.reflux.com
will also try to make an appointment with marion au.
Thanks so much for your help.
Now I actually feed bb in sling in the daytime and let her sleep at 45 degree in the sling. I find that she sleeps better, burps better and is less likely to reflux in the sling. But I can't really do much with her in the sling.
Have also tried putting her in the bouncy chair but somehow she doesn't like it a lot.
haiz, really hope that she'll outgrow it by the time she's 1 year old.
epicurean
Member
Hi uddermummy,
You're most welcome I understand how stressful and distressing it is when your child has GERD and there's little we feel we can do help him/her feel better. I used to hug him and cry when he had a major vom (merlion out almost all of his milk feed), feeling that it was my fault ... that I didn't hold or burp him properly, causing him to vom.
Take heart that it will get better .... your dd's condition will improve *hugs* If my bb's severe GERD can improve and be more manageable, your dd will definitely get better.
You're most welcome
I understand how stressful and distressing it is when your child has GERD and there's little we feel we can do help him/her feel better. I used to hug him and cry when he had a major vom (merlion out almost all of his milk feed), feeling that it was my fault ... that I didn't hold or burp him properly, causing him to vom. Take heart that it will get better .... your dd's condition will improve *hugs* If my bb's severe GERD can improve and be more manageable, your dd will definitely get better.
Angelmum
Moderator
Now I actually feed bb in sling in the daytime and let her sleep at 45 degree in the sling. I find that she sleeps better, burps better and is less likely to reflux in the sling. But I can't really do much with her in the sling.
Have also tried putting her in the bouncy chair but somehow she doesn't like it a lot.
haiz, really hope that she'll outgrow it by the time she's 1 year old.
Given a choice for mummy's cuddle n closeness, I believe most child wont reject. There's always a transition period.
I told myself, I'm not strong to carry DD all the time so b4 I break my arms or end up with backache, we got to do something. Lucky DD was 'understanding'.
Maybe the netted bouncer provided an airy and soft embrace thus, DD's transition was quite successful.uddermummy
Well-Known Member
thanks epicurean and angelmum.
i didn't manage to get dr marion au cos her appointment is like in july. going to see another gi pd at nuh instead. prof quek, hope he's good.
yeah, i feel like a lousy mum whenever dd is in pain from gerd and i can't soothe her at all. especially when she's in the car seat. she will look at me sometimes; it's as if she wants me to help her. wah, at times like these my heart really bleeds loh...
i didn't manage to get dr marion au cos her appointment is like in july. going to see another gi pd at nuh instead. prof quek, hope he's good.
yeah, i feel like a lousy mum whenever dd is in pain from gerd and i can't soothe her at all. especially when she's in the car seat. she will look at me sometimes; it's as if she wants me to help her. wah, at times like these my heart really bleeds loh...
epicurean
Member
Hi uddermummy,
Glad to hear that your dd will be seeing gi pd soon ... he should be able to help with her condition. Yeah, Dr Aw only runs her clinic on Tues & Thurs so need to wait to see her.
You're helping your dd as much and as best as you can. I'm sure she knows you sayang her like anything
Glad to hear that your dd will be seeing gi pd soon
... he should be able to help with her condition. Yeah, Dr Aw only runs her clinic on Tues & Thurs so need to wait to see her. You're helping your dd as much and as best as you can. I'm sure she knows you sayang her like anything
uddermummy
Well-Known Member
thanks epicurean!
have to sayang her cos i've decided to stop at one. Really tough to raise kids without family support.
Really admire your love for and dedication to your kid. Your kid is lucky that he has such a great mummy!
have to sayang her cos i've decided to stop at one. Really tough to raise kids without family support.
Really admire your love for and dedication to your kid. Your kid is lucky that he has such a great mummy!
Angelmum
Moderator
thanks epicurean!
have to sayang her cos i've decided to stop at one. Really tough to raise kids without family support.
Really admire your love for and dedication to your kid. Your kid is lucky that he has such a great mummy!
stop at one :err:
maybe after yr DD is more manageable and u feel the joy of having her, u want to get her a playmate!
uddermummy
Well-Known Member
wah, don't have family support. will die if have another one! and i not as strong as you or epicurean...
epicurean
Member
I'm also considering stopping at one
Hubby wants another child so that bb has company growing up ... but I'm petrified that the same thing could happen to no.2 coz what happened to bb was so random and unexplained ... don't even know what precautionary steps to take to prevent it from happening again.
uddermummy, I agree with you abt family support ... don't know how I would have managed without my mum's unflinching support ... she's a pillar of strength.
Hubby wants another child so that bb has company growing up ... but I'm petrified that the same thing could happen to no.2 coz what happened to bb was so random and unexplained ... don't even know what precautionary steps to take to prevent it from happening again.
uddermummy, I agree with you abt family support ... don't know how I would have managed without my mum's unflinching support ... she's a pillar of strength.
Angelmum
Moderator
wah, don't have family support. will die if have another one! and i not as strong as you or epicurean...
I'm also considering stopping at one
Hubby wants another child so that bb has company growing up ... but I'm petrified that the same thing could happen to no.2 coz what happened to bb was so random and unexplained ... don't even know what precautionary steps to take to prevent it from happening again.
uddermummy, I agree with you abt family support ... don't know how I would have managed without my mum's unflinching support ... she's a pillar of strength.
shld I say I was lucky to start with a normal boy b4 having DD? :err:
When DS diagnosed G6PD I was devastated (didnt know I was the carrier) .... DD's diagnosis was like end of the world, everyday just cry ..... family support really very important, especially when u just rec'd the bad news!
Having relatives/friends who r understanding and dont talk nonsense or suggest this and that eg go temple pray or drink fu shui (holy water), would also make my days better. The numerous occassions I had to correct their mistakes or explain what DD can't do, her diagnose is really irritating.
uddermummy
Well-Known Member
oh dear, why pple still so superstitious??? aiyah, ask them to drink the fu shui first to make sure it's safe lah. If so good, then can ask them to take for all their meals to make sure they're healthy.
yeah, pple who don't understand really suck, don't they?
uddermummy
Well-Known Member
I'm also terrified that another child will have the same reflux prob cos they say it might be hereditary. Everyone tells me to have another one so that bb will not be lonely, but then again, they are not the ones looking after her...I'm also considering stopping at one
Hubby wants another child so that bb has company growing up ... but I'm petrified that the same thing could happen to no.2 coz what happened to bb was so random and unexplained ... don't even know what precautionary steps to take to prevent it from happening again.
uddermummy, I agree with you abt family support ... don't know how I would have managed without my mum's unflinching support ... she's a pillar of strength.
My mil's comment that i shouldn't have a kid if i can't cope still hurts...And my hubby's patience is wearing v thin with bb and me.
My mum has been really helpful too. But she's getting on in years and she still needs to work in the day, so she can't keep helping me. I can't bear to let her help me cos her health is also not very good.