I’ve said it here many times that Miss Emily is a happy baby. She’s my third happy baby in a row, actually. My kids are happy, happy, happy.
Of course, that doesn’t mean they are happy every single second of every single day. All kids have times when they are less than happy, mine included. All babies fuss somewhat when hungry, tired, sick, etc. I have just been blessed to have babies that were not primarily fussy or even colicky.
In the past week, however, Miss Emily has cried a bit more than the usual fussiness. It started happening after she burps. She’s not one to spit up voluminous amounts (like Nathan did – that kid could hurl), but she does the regular amount of burping.
During the past few days she started crying after each and every little burp that she did. And not just a whimper – a full-on HARD cry. What the????
Matthew went on the good old Internet on Thursday night to see if he could find a diagnoses. All signs were pointing to acid reflux. It sounded like we couldn’t do much except keep her sitting up after she ate, etc. Oh, and solids are supposed to help.
Yesterday after I nursed Emily around lunchtime, she cried even harder than she had been. She’ll be her usual happy, sweet self, and then she’ll do the tiniest burp and burst into tears. Once she calms down she’s happy again, but this is NOT normal for her. I called the doctor.
Turns out Matthew was right. Reflux is common in babies, but most of them just spit up and are done with it. In some cases (like Emily’s), the esophagus gets inflamed and it hurts with every. single. burp. Thankfully, there’s something that we can give Emily that will heal her esophagus in about a month, and she should be feeling better in 3-7 days.
It smells like peppermint, and Emily is pretty clear that she no likey. It’s all for a good cause though. I have a feeling that she may not be a fan of mint or candy canes when she grows up. I’d mix it with chocolate (I like mint chocolate), but she’s a little young for that.
I can cope (barely) with the craziness of three kids. Let one of them get sick, however, and I become a quivering mess. I really wish I could take on their pain. Sometimes I feel severely under qualified for this job.
Please keep my sweet baby girl in your thoughts and prayers.
I have suffered from reflux and it sucks. Poor girl. Hope that medicine is speedy.
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Coco screamed for 3 months… hers was so bad.You can also rub peppermint oil on her chest… poor girl she really might get a peppermint complex then! Hope she feels better soon…
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Awww. Poor girl.
You HAVE to make sure that you turn the peppermint thing into a happy memory, early, before she does form a dislike for it. But I guess you could be happy that the medicine wasn’t chocolate flavoured. THAT would a sin.
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I sure hope she feels better. It sure sucks when our kids get sick. Poor baby. She looks so cute and happy in that picture though.
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Poor girl, that doesn’t sound fun..
I’m with her, I am NOT a fan of mint either….
although mint chocolate is all good!
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Poor girl, I bet that hurts. Hopefully the medicine will help her feel better.
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poor babes! Hope she feels better soon.
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Awww, poor bubby. Reflux is horrible and not fair! Praying for it to settle quickly for Emily.
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That sucks! Poor girl! I am so glad we live in a day and age where there are medicines to ease these troubles of life. She’ll be better in no time flat, I’m sure.
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Aww, poor Emily.
She is looking happy and cute as a button though!
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I’ll pray for you all, especially Miss Emily.
Ethan had severe gastro-oesophageal reflux until he was 8 months old. He would scream during and after every feed, and he threw up all the time. It was tough, so I know how you’re feeling. He quickly got used to his medicine (mind you, he started it at 4 weeks of age so he really knew no different) and after a few months he would actually get excited when he saw it, I guess because he knew it would help him feel better after he had it. I’m sure Emily will feel better soon, at least you have an answer and you know how to treat it.
((HUGS))
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Does she use a soother? If so …. big reflux from the use of soothers – let me know. Happy to chat with you.
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We were told that soothers would help Duncan’s reflux – I guess it’s just what works for each kid.
Duncan ended up on some medication for his reflux. It’s called infant gaviscon over here and the ingredients are sodium alginate (225mg) and magnesium alginate (87.5mg). Basically it turns the milk in their bellies to jelly – but isn’t absorbed by their bodies so there’s no risk. It CAN be used while breastfeeding, we just mixed the powder with awter and gave it to Duncan with a spoon (many people think it’s only for formula fed babies).
Another thing we ended up doing was putting his cot on a slant with some big books.
While Duncan’s now outgrown his reflux (yeah!), I was prepared for a much worse case as my brother had it very very badly as a baby and used to wake up crying every hour at around 6 months old in pain and he ended up hospitalized for lack of weight gain. My parents describe it as the worst time of their lives. However the solution was simple, he just needed to sleep on a slant (over 20 degrees, they used a harness to keep him from slipping) and that prevented the heartburn and let him heal (and let my poor parents sleep).
Good luck! I know how horrible reflux can be and I hope Emily heals quickly and starts feeling better soon!
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Poor little sweetie! I hope that the meds start to make her feel better. It is never fun when they are so upset. She sure is strong on her belly. What big beautiful eyes she has!!
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I’ll pray for Emily. I hope she feels better soon. I have acid reflux too and it sucks. I hope the medicine helps soon.
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Glad you were able to find something that is supposed to help. Maybe she will start to like it. Good luck.
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I think that’s my favorite picture of yours EVER.
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I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and just wanted to say I know how you feel! My three month old has reflux, but I didn’t start her on the meds until she choked on her own spitup one night (SCARY). She’s on what sounds like the same as yours – it’s called Zantac down in the states and while it may smell like peppermint, it tastes something awful (I tasted it once). I give it to her mixed in with a bottle and she doesn’t even notice – giving it to her without was just way too traumatic! Hope she feels better soon!
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I’m not sure how I missed this! Poor baby girl…I too HATE having to watch them be in pain (esp when they’re still so tiny!).
Glad to read that she’s already feeling better=) Good diagnosis on your guys’ part! Just confirming once again that you know your baby better than anybody else!
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