PLEASE HELP -3.5 month old with severe acid reflux! What will help?

My 3.5 month old DD has been vomitting and coughing.  I have had her to the ped. 2 times this week.  At first they thought she had a stomach virus and chest congestion. Now they are saying it is from reflux.  It makes sense becuase she is acting like her stomach hurts when she eats and the cough and congestion are worse at feeding times, too.  I didn't know that a baby almost 4 months old with no previous problems could develop reflux, but they said it is not that uncommon.  Does anyone have any suggestions that really help?  The vomitting is almost gone since we have been feeding in smaller amounts and propping her more, but she does act like she is hurting sometimes.  Any home rememdies that really work?

[laura1977]

my brother whom is now 32 has struggled with this all his life.  The best thing he does for it is put bricks under the head of his bed to lift it up.  It helps out alot.  So, make sure your daughter isn't laying too flat in her crib.  We did this also with our first daughter, and one way we did it was we had to let her sleep upright in her carseat until she got better.

[Crritter]

Did they give you any meds for your little one?  Cam has been on meds since 4 weeks old, at 2 weeks when the vomiting and all that good stuff started, they began by putting him on Nutramigen.  Helped some, but then they discovered the refulx.  He has had scans and they were able to see that the meds were not enough and have had to increase several times.  He has a bad cough and rattle in his chest and a very reactive airway, partly due to his reflux.  They have just added another med for Cam, so he takes Reglan and Zantac in the morning and Reglan, Zantac, and Prevacid in the evening.  I hope he gets better soon, it's a touch and go for us.  I have found that keeping him upright helps, he slept in his carseat for months.  Now when he's bad we sleep upright in a chair.  I also keep an eye on him and when I see the symptoms coming back or getting bad, I take him in or call.  We hope he outgrows it, but he's 8 months and we keep maxing out on the meds and doses.  They have linked his ear infection and bronchitis to his reflux.  It's frustrating and hard to see them suffer, just keep up with your Dr. and ask about meds if it gets bad.  Otherwise, keep your DD elevated for a good 1/2 hour at least after meals.  Good luck, hope it gets better.

[jadita]

my baby got reflux she is 3.5 moths, is because of the formula now she is on soy milk and she is getting better

[energy_train]

Both of my kiddos had reflux.  My daughter was on zantac from 3 months to 12 months and it worked for her. My son, on the other hand, went through zantac and prilosec and neither were working. The did a scope when he was 12 months and found that he had an ulcer and severe esophagitis from the reflux and he is now on adult strenth Nexium (60 mg per day- most adults take 40) and it's working. We just got a NORMAL scope (he's 2 and a half now). They usually start off with Zantac as it's the most mild, then prilosec.  I'd ask about it. Also, prop the head, never lay them flat.  I used a crib wedge under the matress. Good luck

[Crritter]

My little guy is now on soy, could never do the milk formula, his reflux is considered bad, they are calling him a gerd baby.  Poor thing, but I have heard that changing formula can help.  I can say too, watch for the projectile vomit, it's a sign that the reflux is out of control.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

all three of mine kids have had reflux...the oldest had it the worst.  My last two had it controlled with Zantac twice a day.  Other things that help....putting a very small amount of rice cereal in with the formula, using soy formula, keeping the baby upright as much as possible for approx half hour after eating.  

All three of mine pretty well outgrew it by 10 months or so.  My oldest still gets it once in a blue moon....but not often enough to be bothersome.  

If you choose to do the rice cereal in the formula...you may have to use the next size up nipple OR take the size you normally use....stick a tooth pick in the hole in the nipple and boil it for 5 minutes or so....that will make the hole slightly larger and easier to get the thicker formula out.