Reflux, overeating, spit up ... I am so lost!?

My ds is on Zantac, Alimentum and rice cereal as per GI specialist's order. I brought him to the ped since he was so difficult during and after feedings (got worse around 3-4 weeks of age, including the spit up). Just screaming, hurting me, basically bouncing up and down the walls. After a while he just crashes. Overall, he's not a bad baby, he sleeps fairly well, day and night ... but I am just so lost.

Sometimes I think he's just hungry and he wants more, but the more I give him the more comes out. But stopping after 3 ounces (he usually eats 4 but then he's still upset) or burping in between is nearly impossible. He really hurts me physically all the time, and those moments I "just don't like my son" (if that makes sense).

Part of me thinks it definitely has to do with some kind of reflux issues (2 night nannies we had notice something different as well, he gets really stiff) but other moments I think he's just hungry but he's brain has told his stomach yet that he had plenty of food. He's gaining weight very well. He was 10lbs3oz last Tuesday (6w1d).

He's eating about 30 oz of formula per 24 hours and he's a little over 6 weeks, so that sounds more than sufficient and his sister is doing fine with a similar amount.

I just don't know what to think anymore.

Any experiences, insights? TIA.

 

My ds is on Zantac, Alimentum and rice cereal as per GI specialist's order. I brought him to the ped since he was so difficult during and after feedings (got worse around 3-4 weeks of age, including the spit up). Just screaming, hurting me, basically bouncing up and down the walls. After a while he just crashes. Overall, he's not a bad baby, he sleeps fairly well, day and night ... but I am just so lost.

Sometimes I think he's just hungry and he wants more, but the more I give him the more comes out. But stopping after 3 ounces (he usually eats 4 but then he's still upset) or burping in between is nearly impossible. He really hurts me physically all the time, and those moments I "just don't like my son" (if that makes sense).

Part of me thinks it definitely has to do with some kind of reflux issues (2 night nannies we had notice something different as well, he gets really stiff) but other moments I think he's just hungry but he's brain has told his stomach yet that he had plenty of food. He's gaining weight very well. He was 10lbs3oz last Tuesday (6w1d).

He's eating about 30 oz of formula per 24 hours and he's a little over 6 weeks, so that sounds more than sufficient and his sister is doing fine with a similar amount.

I just don't know what to think anymore.

Any experiences, insights? TIA.

 

Maybe he's still having reflux problems, have you talked to his pedi about changing his dosage or taking a different medication? It sounds like you both are having a really hard time!

 

It does sound like he's still refluxing. When you say hurting you, you are refering to BF, right? If so, have you considered that he doesn't do well with something you're eating. My kids all had/have food allergies, and they acted like that when I ate something they didn't like as well as with the reflux. They all don't deal with milk, and the nutramagin worked better with them than alimentum.

It was explained to me that sometimes when they have an upset tummy they want to eat more because they think that will fix it but it won't and they just spit up more. It's kind of a non ending eating spitting cycle. And adding the reflux just makes it worse (mine all had that as well). Good luck, it's not much fun.

 

Thanks!

I am not breastfeeding. It's just when I try to burp him, he kicks, screams, scratches me with his nails (clipped or not clipped), is all over the place with his head, he pinches me. He's basically out of control ...

 

I really feel for you. We went through the same thing with our little ones. Only a couple of suggestions. I agree you should maybe ask for a different med. Zantac did nothing for my guys. Now we are using Prevacid. We also tried Prilosec, which was better, but still not right. We also went through so many formulas until we found the right one. Alimentum worked best for them, but I've learned here it is so different for each baby. I know its frustrating but it really is trial and error until you find one what works. Lots of folks say that the rice cereal helps, but it made Shannen and Neil constipated and really gassy. Mylicon drops and gripe water helped in between feeds but they really didn't settle until we found the right formula. What bottles are you using? Could the formula be coming out too fast or too slow? Mine also did overeat to try to stop their bellyaches. I decreased them back to 3 ounces a feed and that really helped too. Hang in there, when you find the right combination, your son will probably settle right down and you can relax and enjoy him.

 

I dealt with this for 6 months with Brooklyn, no meds, no special formulas because no doctors would listen to me. They kept telling me "Well, shes gaining weight" Which Yes, she was, she would take 28-32oz in 24 hrs. The issue isnt gaining weight its the spitting up and puking at every feeding that is the problem.
Finally at 6 months I lost it and got a prescription for Zantac. The doctor informed me that there is no real "cure" for reflux. The Zantac may not stop the spitting up or puking, it just makes it more comfortable for the baby (not as much stomach acid going through the esphogus (sp?) ) Apparently they grow out of it. As long as your child is gaining weight, dont worry too much (I know its hard to do). I know how stressful it is and frustrating, but hang in there and know you arent alone.

 

www.marci-kids.com/ Check out that website, email the Drs for advice (they will respond!). We put our girls on Zegerid and it helped tremendously!!!!

If he is projectile vomitting, contact the Dr about having an ultrasound. Both my girls required surgery for Pyloric Stenosis.

 

I have problems with one of my daughters, too. Zantac does NOTHING for her but makes her vomit after she takes it. I would check with the ped about changing meds and chaning formulas. I know I HAVE to burp mine partway through the feeding even if she does squirm so much as I know she IS squirming so much because she is in pain. Also, sometimes when babies' tummies hurt, they want to suck. Maybe you should try an ounce less and feed more often as maybe your baby is eating too much at one feeding which, from my experience, can make my daughter a monster to deal with...she even sounds like one with all of her groaning.