'Trigger' foods for Reflux

[LuckyStar]

I'm not sure if I am posting in the right section so feel free to move this thread if need be

My DS is nearly 11.5 months old. A bit of history.....he was diagnosed with reflux at just 3 weeks of age. He was more of a happy chucker, but a heavy chucker. He had small, frequent FF. DS was on Karicare AR (after trial and error with other formulas), gaviscon each feed, maximum dose of Zantac and then Losec, infacol to reduce colic symptoms and to top it off...he liked to have his milk cold, warm formula made it worse (go figure ) lol. We also kept him propped up after each and every feed as he would often vomit in his sleep, a couple of times we found him to be choking on his own vomit (scary times).

Anyway, he was on mild solid food not long after 4 months (upon paeds advice when the reflux seemed to peak) and by 5 months the reflux seemed to settle quite a lot. At 6 months we started to 'wean' him from all the medications and at 8 months he was on regular forumula. This didn't last long as the unthickened formula didn't seem to do the job AND he we went through bottle refusal. A trip to the paed had DS on cows milk at 9 months with a liquid vitamin (please no judgements). This did the trick, until now....3 months later.

So now to my question.....he is nearly one year old and I would say a little behind others in what he can eat (although there isn't a tried food that he doesn't like yet ). What I want to know is, can reflux be re-triggered by certain solid foods? I ask as it seems that his symptoms are coming back....chomping food down quickly, ALWAYS hungry, and lastly the vomiting has started again. It has been increasing in the last 3 weeks (I have now scrubbed the car seat 3 times....NOT fun)....BUT the strange thing is that I haven't added any new foods recently and his diet is quite consistent. He is still his happy self and his sleep/mood has not altered. He is VERY active and is gaining weight (although he is at a plateau atm....10.5kg).

I know we should avoid/limit acidic food, which we try to do, but I was wondering if other reflux mums found symptoms returned after a couple of months of no reflux and what they found to be trigger foods (if any). I realise all bubs are different but I am at a loss to what it could be....maybe there is a food I thought was 'reflux friendly' and have included in DS diet, when actually it isn't iykwim. We are back to the paed in late January but I am seeking some 'real experience' advice from mums who have 'been there, done that'!

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

There is a significant correlation between cows milk protein allergy and reflux. There's a great book written by Brian Vartabedian (paed) who will be speaking in Australia next year called "colic solved" but also deals with reflux etc. It is available from Mothers Direct
Are there any other family members who have allergies/food intolerances? This can often offer a clue. Is there a history of eczema or asthma in the family?

[LuckyStar]

Barb Glare, thanks for your quick response. To answer your question, we have no food allergies or history of eczema or asthma in our family. My DD wasn't a reflux baby. The only other medical information I can offer is that both my children are extremely hypermobile and apparently reflux can be triggered by this as well (but who knows, there are so many opinions ). You may be onto something though about the cows milk protein. It didn't cross my mind since we have had three successful months on it but I remember my paed mentioning something about this (that it may or may not work and about the protein factor...only time will tell etc etc) but completely forgot about it until you reminded me......thanks. I just assumed the milk was working but maybe it isn't. Worth further investigation me thinks! Thanks again.