My newborns with Acid Reflux

My babies doctor diagnosed my twin girls with acid reflux what does this mean???? he told me to put rice cereal in their formula to help with the reflux. one of the twins did not handle the cereal well everytime we feed her she would always throw it up so I discontinue the cereal for her. her sister is handling the cereal really good. I just want to know what are the symptoms for acid reflux 3 times my youngest twin scared me because she would let out a cry and she had formula coming out of her nose and I noticed she would gasp for air a couple of time until she calmed down this was before the doctor ordered to add cereal into the bottle. it was a really scary thing it that normal for babies that have reflux???? as a result of that the doctor ordered for them to eat every 4hrs. and sometimes the poor little things can't make it because they want to eat early and I told the doctor that and he said let them cry because what you are doing by feeding them every 3hrs is making their reflux worse. I don't know what to do I'm really confused.......please help me!!!!!

[Trialanderror]

It seems to be very common for twins to have acid reflux as they are usually of lower birth weight, which means the respiratory system is especially immature and that can mean the esophagus is not functioning properly YET. Food can make its way back up easily and present itself as simple spit-up, very common for most babies, or reflux.
I don`t want to get into the cereal in bottle debate with all its dangers of allergies but one thing is for sure wrong with the picture: to feed them on a 4 hour schedule. That`s nuts. Key is to feed less more often! I don`t know how old your twin girls are but newborns feed rather every 2 hours and then 3, especially so if you feed smaller portions more often. How old are they? That may make a difference in the picture I`m getting here.

[kcs08]

First you should be feeding them small amounts more often.  That way there is less to come back up.  Are your babies gaining weight?  Keep them upright after every feeding for 30 min. (I know that sucks in the middle of the night!) Have them sleep with their head elevated and burp them a lot! I tried the cereal once and didnt like it.  Did they prescribe you any medication?  Have you been referred to a GI specialist?  I was extremely hesitant on meds in the beginning.  I put it off but my baby was in pain.  He put my DD on prilosec (after trying many others) and she was a completely different baby.  It took the burning away and she didnt cry during feedings anymore.  She was associating my breast with pain and would scream bloody murder if I whipped it out.  After the meds she nursed/drank fine.  She also began nursing fine.  She is 10 mo and has been off her meds but it looks like we may have to start again.  She has been projectile vomiting again throughout Jan and Feb.  It breaks my hear to see them in pain huh?

[Logan206]

I have 7 mo old twins that have reflux.  My son is worse, and needs meds for it (Zantac).  many babies just simply spit up a lot but without any discomfort (my 2 year old did this constantly until she was 11 mo old).  Other babies are very uncomfortable during and after feedings, often arching their backs and crying--this happens when the acid becomes irritating to them.

I never had any luck with cereal in a bottle, and you'll see other posts in this forum that debate that strategy.  I agree with the others that smaller, more frequent feedings is better than the 4 hr schedule that was suggested to you.  In any case, don't be afraid to insist on seeing a GI specialist if things don't improve.  With my twins, I ended up switching to one of those milk protein sensitive formulas which they do much better on.  Good luck to you and the girls!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Has your doc explained to you about keeping them upright as much as possible for approx half hour after each meal?  Make sure their diapers aren't too tight around the waist as this can help to push the food back up.  You may also try either proppying the mattress up at one end or having them sleep in a swing/carseat/bouncey seat for awhile.  The formula out of the nose is very commong for babies with reflux.  I have 3 kids and all three of them had it.  My oldest had it the worst, but all three were on medicine.  They all outgrew it and stopped the meds around 10 months.  What type of formula are you using?  I always used soy formula becuase it helps with reflux.  The rice cereal is also a good idea.  With the one that didn't handle it well, did you try just decreasing the amount a little until she got used to it?  Don't give up hope or get frusterated...this is a VERY common thing in infants.  

[Crritter]

My littlest one has reflux pretty bad, he is 10 & 1/2 months old and on 3 different meds daily, he takes Reglan and Zantac every morning and afternoon and also Prevacid every evening.  We were hoping he would outgrow it soon, but no luck yet.  They are also blaming his RAD on his reflux and it gets really bad when his reflux gets out of control.  He sses a pulmonologist for his breathing and we were told it's pretty common to see reflux and it can be linked to other issues.  Babies are still developing and sometimes the flap in the back of their throat isn't quite ready to keep the reflux down.  If it continues to be bad they may try a med to help control it.  I also had to keep Cam elevated when he slept and it helped alot.  He slept in his bouncy chair or carseat and hte recommendation of his ped.  He's too big now and when I tried to elevate one end of his bed, he rolls to the bottom and still lays flat, so it's harder now, but I was told when he was little to keep him elevated almost at all times, even tummy time and time on his back had to be limited to small amounts the first couple months.  It's tough and I can't even imagine dealing with 2 babies who are so miserable.  Hang in there and keep in touch with the Dr.  Hopefully the cereal will help them.

[rubyolivia]

My advice: get a new doctor!!!

[tazz00057]

I want to thank you all for the advices that you gave to me I feel much better that I'm not the only one that is going through this.....

[Me2mommy2b]

I'm with ruby on this one.  It's obvious that your dr is not in tune withe reflux issues.  I'm sorry if I'm repeating others (I didn't read through everyone's helpful hints).  Number 1, you should not put cereal in their bottles.  IT'S WAY TOO EARLY FOR THEM.  Number 2, you should not feed them by the clock.  The girls will get way too hungry, will drink their milk/formula too quickly and swallow too much air with it making them gassy and even more fussy.  Feed them on demand and not when the clock tells you. Plus, overeating (which they wont be able to control since  they're too hungry) will make them reflux even more.  Feed them often, that's the key.  Also, there are wedges for the cribs that keep the babies at 45 degree angles when they're sleeping.  If you can, get those.  Since they're lying flat all the time, that agrrivates reflux.  Try to keep them upright after feeding them for at least 10 minutes.  I know it's easier said than done with twins but that will help them somewhat.  Were the girls given any meds for the reflux?