Important Supplements
OK – Your infant has been diagnosed with reflux. Now what?? Finding the right combination of treatments is often a case of trial and error. You will probably be frustrated with the conservative approach that your doctor will want to take at first in treating your infant’s reflux.
Just try and be patient…
Be sure to ask your doctor how long you should try a certain option before notifying her of the results (it’s typically TWO WEEKS for EVERY CHANGE). You need to know at what point you should be noticing some improvement. If you do not notice any improvement in the amount of time suggested by your doctor, then it may be time to try a new approach.
WHAT’S NEXT? Research! Arm yourself with knowledge so that you can be the best advocate for your baby! If you can’t find the answers, ask! Post Questions on the forum! Help Others! Post your findings, so that others can benefit from your wisdom!
DIET (Formula/Breastfeeding) AND MEDICINE
Ok, so you looked at the Signs and Symptoms of reflux. You are fairly certain that your baby has reflux.
You want to know WHY your baby has reflux, so you read: Possible Causes.
DIET: You learned that sometimes reflux is caused and/or exacerbated by a reaction to her/his diet. You think perhaps this is your baby’s issue (or one of them!). You came to this conclusion because of one, or more, of the following: abnormal poop, gas, skin reactions.
Poop
- Formula-Fed Babies: the consistency should be like peanut butter; they can range in color from yellow to tan to brown to green.
- Breastfed Babies: poop is yellow/mustard with ‘seeds’ (an occasional green diaper is normal!)
- Formula Fed & Breastfed babies: If you see blood or you see what looks like coffee grounds (this may be dried blood), tell your doctor!
Gas : foul-smelling, hard to pass gas can be an indication that your baby is reacting to something in her/his diet.
Skin: rashes, eczema, a red ring around the anus, and sometimes even cradle cap – these can all be an indication that baby may be reacting to something in her/his diet
OK, SO I TRY (switching) FORMULA?
If you are breastfeeding, NO DOCTOR should tell you to quit breastfeeding and switch to formula! Click here for Breastfeeding and Reflux.
If you are formula feeding, you might want to switch to a soy based formula, or, to a formula that is more broken down, like alimentum or nutramigen. You might want to try the alimentum ready-to-feed (rtf) because it doesn’t have corn solids, and the powder does. Or, you may choose to go straight to an elemental formula such as neocate or elecare. Many don’t try soy because so many babies who react to milk proteins also react to soy proteins.
What formula? As with everything, research and discuss with your doctor. You must give every change a good TWO WEEKS. Click here for Formula Feeding and Reflux
WHAT ABOUT MEDICINE? Click here “My baby is an infant! I don’t want to give her/him medicine!” Of course you don’t, especially medicine(s) that you know are for adults! However, if your baby is in PAIN, then that’s a sign that s/he needs medication. “But you mentioned diet! What about THAT?” Yes, by all means explore this path. In the meantime, address the pain. Give medicine, change diet for two weeks and reassess. If everything is great, try backing down on the meds (do not stop cold turkey!).
WHAT ABOUT ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES? (Probiotics, Enzymes and More)
Of course you can explore ‘alternatives!’ As stated above, if your baby is in PAIN, then I would recommend ‘Western Medicine’ simultaneously with ‘Eastern Medicine.’ As you notice improvement, you can try backing down on the (Western) medicines. Always consult with your doctor! I happen to believe it’s worth it to explore ALL avenues, which includes (but does not particularly EXclude anything): chiropractic care, cranial/sacral massage, probiotics, digestive enzymes, aloe vera juice, slippery elm, natropathic care, homeopathic care, and, I’m certain there’s more I’m forgetting! HOWEVER, from MY OWN experience:
I believe in Western Medicine, too, along with whatever else seems to work. I believe in PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS at fairly ‘high’ doses.
This is ME. Who am I? Click ‘About Us’: I am a Mama who had a baby with SEVERE GERD; a Mama who tried the Total Elimination DIet, tried chiropractic care, went to a QUACK (do NOT try the trademarked ‘Bodytalk!!!’), a Mama who RESEARCHED and found this board and the research regarding dosing and compounding…that’s where I’m coming from. I’ve been on this board ELEVEN YEARS and, I’m sorry to say, it’s RARE that a baby, whose parent finds this board (mainly out of desperation), was helped ONLY by ‘methods’ OTHER THAN MEDICINE…Who knows? Your baby just might be that unique baby 🙂 Hang in there!
NOTE: The information on this page is not exhaustive and complete accuracy is not guaranteed. Please consult your doctor with any questions you may have regarding the treatment of your child.
