Reflux - tips and tricks?

Elevate her bed- use big phone books or text books under the legs of the bassinette/ cot.
Isla's reflux was so bad she could never lie flat, so I used a pillow on the change table to elevate her upper body, did tummy time with her body up on an angle too, and always had her on an angle with upper body above her stomach when playing under her play gym etc. I also breastfed her with her body on a angle, not lying straight across me.
Reflux babies love movement, wear her in a sling/wrap or frontpack when shes unsettled. I know people that swear by hammocks for reflux babies too.
Will try think of some more things!

Have u checked out www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz- lots of good tips. Yes dummys help cos the scuking motion keeps the stomach acid down. We used one all the time from when Isla was a few months old so we could get some peace from the screaming, but then had to get rid of it at about 5 months cos we had to keep going and putting it back in her mouth countless times a night. But you gotta do what you gotta do and if its gonna help u both at that time, then go for it! A lot of people just use them at sleep times, but yeah in the end isla was using it all the time.
I should add that Isla had silent reflux- which is when the stomach acid comes up their throat but the dont spew, and then it goes back down again buring their throat on the way down too- a lot harder to diagnose than regular reflux cos u cant see it happening. We also later found she was allerguc to dairy products.

Is she on meds? This time with Aiden we have tried natural ways of managing his reflux rather than using gaviscon cos of the sife effects of constpation which Isla suffered badly with. So Ive been having accupunncture to help my diegestion which helps him through my breast milk, and Ive changed my diet heaps too. Ive also taken him to a osteopath twice and to a Bowan therapist. I cant say which thing in particular has helped cos I have no idea cos we have tried everything simulatneously. He also doesnt spew tho.

Caring for a baby thats mega unsettled is very stressful. I wish I had expressed and had even an hr time away from her and the house on a regular basis, but I never did and in hinesught I so should have.

Thanks Kellz. She's not on meds yet because I'm hoping I can bring it under control naturally. I've gone dairy free to see if that helps, and I've just bought a dummy so will try that too.

And I'm beginning to think I need some time out from her for a wee bit so I've hired a breastpump and I'll see how that goes.

The plunket nurse has also given me the name of a local lady with a baby the same age who has silent reflux and is feeling much the same, so I'll give her a ring too. Will be nice to talk to someone else who's having the same issues.

Glad to hear somethings are working for Aiden

No problem! Definatly get in touch with the other lady going through the same thing! Having an unsettled/unwell baby is very stressful and can be very isolating. I stopped going to my coffee group when everyone seemed to be managing better than me, and I was the only one still not getting any sleep and whose babay cried all the time. Poor thing took almost 5 months to get diagnosed so we went through hell. Feel free to ask more q's or just vent! I totally understand!

We have a history of allergies as well in our family, Mum also now thinks that my brother & to some extent myself had silent reflux as well.

I have trialled all sorts of formulas but we react in an allergic way & he spills a little as well.

I'm just hanging out til our first allergy appointment on monday, hopefully I'll have more answers then!

Good luck, what else does she want you to try?

Thanks, GP appointment monday for referral for skin prick test, if not I'll cry right then & there!

Do you side sleep her? I have a wedge thing here that you could borrow.

Just noticed you are in PN (duh) So if you need a hand or anything yell out.

We've got forms for the skin prick. The skin prick according to stuff I've read is more effective at picking up the allergy, much to my surprise.

My Dr was even going to get a tin of neocate for us to try but didn't have any in the surgery.

I've been back on dairy since sunday, and have had about zero sleep since I've given it up again as of today.

Kel, I back sleep her atm, just cos I'm paranoid about SIDS, but I'm going to discuss with the doc next week if side sleeping might be better for her. If we decide to try that I might borrow your sleep wedge - will give you a yell next time I'm coming into PN (I actually live rural).

Plunket is being awesome and giving me extra visits and phonecalls and stuff to make sure we are doing ok. One of the benefits of living in a small rural area, I guess.

But yeah, plan for now is back off dairy immediately, and will see about meds next week. Will ask about thickener as well, as I've heard good and bad things about it, so will only use it if doc recommends it.

I tried a dummy for a bit, and it does seem to help settle her when she's screaming terribly, but I've also got really sore nipples since she's been using it, so I think that has to go