Best reflux formula?

Howdy :D

It appears that Miss E might have reflux - all feeds are basically thrown up either immediately, or over the course of a couple of hours - until she cries for another feed.

So its been suggested that I feed her, and then top up with a bit of reflux formula, and because its heavy, it should keep the other stuff down.

At the moment I'm expressing so I'm keeping an eye on her intake because she has only just regained her birth weight, and the LC said she was a happy starver, so even though she has been quite unsettled, she will settle in my arms and go to sleep, even when she is starving (hence the low and slow gains of weight)

So I thought I would give it a go - its an option anyway, we are also getting some infacol to try just incase its just wind (LC isn't sure if I have a low supply, she has reflux OR just wind - so we're kind of just bobbing around trying everything at the moment)

So yes, what is the best reflux formula? I'm assuming there are a few types? Never had to use a reflux one before, just standard S26 for DS and Goats Milk formula for DD1.

I used a thickener in normal formula for DD1 for a while and then changed to a Karicare AR only because it was the only AR formula available in my area. Both worked really well. The good thing about the thickener was that I could add more or less to get the perfect mixture for her.

DD2 had refulx but I changed her to Nan HA which reduced her vomiting so I didn't need an AR formula for her in the end.

Aww, poor Eden :hug:. Reflux is such a nasty thing. Poor mummy too :hug:.

I am no expert, but has anyone suggested using a thickener? I'm pretty sure you could add it to your EBM? When DS2 had reflux I had a MCHN tell me to make some thickener into a paste and put it over my nipples just before feeding him so he was ingesting it if that makes sense? You can buy it from chemists.

I have no idea about reflux formulas, hopefully someone will be able to help you :)

ETA - Do you know of any paediatric chiros down there? I know you've taken your other kids to one in the past. Maybe there is one near you that could help with the reflux too?

Karicare do a thickener, and you can add that to your EBM. It has directions on the tin for how to mix it up... (i think). It was suggested to me to try it with DS1's reflux, but with modifications to my diet he got his under control... I would give it a go...

I used SMA hon....it was slightly thicker then normal and the MCHN at the time said it was good to use.

:hug: goodluck

I tired alot of them with Mia. I swear by S26 and shes still on it now. BUT... not for th reflux. I didnt think the S26 was that good as it went abit clumpy. After trying them all (and i mean ALL) the Karicare HA AR formula was the best.

The thickener in EMB would be a great idea.

I have to buy some sort of formula as I'm not expressing enough to cover her needs - not that I'm not trying my best to milk it all out!! I don't know why it makes a difference coming out of a bottle, but she doesn't seem to vomit up as much when she's feeding from a bottle, but vomits basically all when she feeds from me directly (weird child)

Ruf - what kind of diet did you go on to stop it?

Trish - I dunno, I'll have to do a google search. DH and I discussed ringing our one on the sunshine coast to see if he can recommend someone.. LOL.. but I don't think he would really be able to recommend someone in tassie

After lots of trial and error I found the triggers for DS were acidic foods like tomato and oj etc, chocolate and caffeine, and anything spicy. I had a pretty bland diet, and even though he would still chuck, it was easier on him. But he was gaining weight even though he was chucky. I was going to use the thickener to help keep it down so he didn't get the burning reflux, which I what I was able to change with diet...

Just don't hold all hope on the formula helping ok? We tried all of the thickened formulas with Alexzander & they didn't help at all, only made him constipated. He was the best on S26 even though it was just a regular formula.

Reflux is so hard :hug:

Mel, is it just the vomitting, or is she unsettled and in pain when lying flat as well? Vomitting isn't necessarily a sign of reflux. DS2 was a "happy chucker" - there isn't a lot you can do about this, it is fairly common and goes away when they reach a certain level of maturity.

One thing to consider is that if it is reflux, the milk can get aspirated (breathed in). When formula is apsirated it is more painful and causes a great risk of infection than when breastmilk is. This is one of the reasons why many health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding as the best option for reflux babies.

Sometimes reflux symptoms can also be caused by dairy intolerance. If this is the case then dairy based formulas will make it worse. Some mums trial dairy free diets to see if it makes a difference, although this is much easier said than done.

I am not sure what the answer is for you. If she is not in pain with the vomitting, it might be that bfing her and doing lots of cleaning up is an option for you. If it is reflux, it might be an idea to get her diagnosed and try meds. I don't really know what to suggest but I thought it might help you to have a bit more information.

All the best hun. Please PM me if you want.

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II don't know why it makes a difference coming out of a bottle, but she doesn't seem to vomit up as much when she's feeding from a bottle, but vomits basically all when she feeds from me directly (weird child)

Trish - I dunno, I'll have to do a google search. DH and I discussed ringing our one on the sunshine coast to see if he can recommend someone.. LOL.. but I don't think he would really be able to recommend someone in tassie

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My niece used to drink so much so fast on the breast that she would chuck up, but was fine from a bottle. Maybe there is just more control with the way she drinks from a bottle :dunno:

And you would be suprised about where your chrio can recomend someone. Give it a go. (DH's dad was seeing one in NZ, and when they were coming over here on a holiday, the one he said would be great to see was actually my godfather.. :lol:)

Mel - I've just rung our own paediatric chiro place and spoken with the receptionist. She will ask one of the chiros if they can recommend someone in Tassie when they come out between appointments and will call me back. What part of Tassie are you in? (PM me if you'd prefer ;))

I'll let you know if they can recommend anyone!

MR - you raise good points. The LC was confused as to whether it IS reflux or if she is a happy chucker, so who knows what is the matter! She doesn't appear to be in pain when she chucks up, and has been a totally different baby today - the past two weeks I haven't been able to put her down and she would only settle in our arms, today she has actually slept in her rocker and I could do things with the other kids :dance:

She had EBM overnight (DH gave it to her and I got up and expressed) and then she had some formula this morning (cos I only got 50ml overnight) and now she's just about to have 120ml of EBM again. So hopefully I will get in another few expressing sessions in after this feed to build up enough for the next feed.

So I dunno if its a standard thing to try - but she doesn't seem to vomit up the whole feed, so we're just trialing anything at the moment (and its nice to give my nipples a break from her attachment issues!)

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Mel - I've just rung our own paediatric chiro place and spoken with the receptionist. She will ask one of the chiros if they can recommend someone in Tassie when they come out between appointments and will call me back. What part of Tassie are you in? (PM me if you'd prefer ;)

I'll let you know if they can recommend anyone!

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Oh you are a STAR. I love you xxxx

I'm in Launceston.

FWIW my DD would throw up a lot less when having formula from a bottle as opposed to a breastfeed. (She had her first bottle of formula at nearly 6 weeks).

Even when she went onto formula full time (by 3 months) she was still "a happy chucker" (although not in the volumes it was for breastfeed) and it wasn't until she was about 9 or 10 months that the spews finally stopped, oh the joy.

Is your DD crying when she chucks up or seems to be in pain? If not I'd be inclined to top her up with a regular formula rather than a AR one to start off with, just to see how she goes, because I'd be worried about constipation.

ohhh poor Eden :hug:

we're not FF but FWIW, Shae has Silent Reflux so we have been giving Infacol at the beginning of the feed, pulling her off (unless she comes off herself) at a max of 5 min feeding her, spending time burping until we get there with a big juicy burp putting her back on, then burping again until she no longer wants boob, then keep her upright for 20-30 min when possible, then giving her .5 - 1ml of milanta. Seems to have helped us heaps though Shae doesn't chuck too much.

we were told to try to keep as many air bubbles out as we can hence the above routine :rolleyes: ...... not sure how well it would work for you and no doubt you have tried everything anyway - just sending sympathetic hugs.

Nae x x

Nae - yeah DD1 had silent reflux so we had a similar routine that you do for her.

I'm not totally convinced myself that it is reflux, even though both the MCHN and LC said it was. I just know the signs that DD1 had that said she had silent reflux, well DD2 has some of them, but they are signs that can be explained by something else. I'm thinking that she might just have trouble with wind, but keeping the reflux formula option up my sleeve, so to speak.

Honestly, I think she was unsettled because her poor attachment meant that my supply was not as good as I thought it was (even though I would spray everywhere if she detached and I would leak on the other side whilst she was feeding) and she was hungry. Today she has been a completely different baby, easy to settle, actually SLEEPING on her own etc. I feel a bit bad for giving her EBM, but if it just comes straight out when she feeds from me, then she's not really getting much goodness I suppose. At least I know how much is going in this way, and hopefully *fingers crossed* she will start putting on the weight :pray:

Mel, Hugs.xx
Lil Man was a happy chucker, just stopped at 8 mths YAY.
I tried thickener, it did reduce it somewhat, but didnt really stop it
But mostly what I wanted to say is PLEASE DONT FEEL GUILTY for ANY decision your make re boob/bottle
YOU have to live and cope with all of this and you should do whatever works best for you.
I hope your good day continues and you all have a wonderful xmas. xxx

FWIW, Lil Man ALWAYS spewed worse when upset/tired and would spew sitting up, but very rarely chucked in bed even though it was only slightly elevated. strange....

Still haven't heard back from the chiro yet Mel, I'll give them another call in a couple of hours if I haven't heard anything :)

Hey Mel,

I thought Reflux was the case when i read your post the other day.... sounded like it.
DD had some of that.... it's awful.

You can buy Karicare thickeners to add to your EBM.....rather than giving her formula but of course the option is yours. :D

Well done you are doing great with Eden. It took my DD 5 wks until she was back to her birth weight so I know how hard it is watching their weight and trying to get their weight back up hey.... she'll get there.

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But mostly what I wanted to say is PLEASE DONT FEEL GUILTY for ANY decision your make re boob/bottle
YOU have to live and cope with all of this and you should do whatever works best for you.

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:clap: friggen well said!!!

Mel you know how I think :) . Enough said

Now off to share the love

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You can buy Karicare thickeners to add to your EBM.....rather than giving her formula but of course the option is yours. :D

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I can't express enough to sustain her - I'm expressing every 2 hours, and she is feeding every 3 - she takes 120mls each feed - I'm not lucky enough to get that!!

My LC rang just before and is very happy with the way I'm doing things at the moment so if she's happy - I'm happy..lol

PM'ing you now ;)

Just wanted to say that DS1 and DD were both happy chuckers and both had shoulder issues (DS1's was dislocated from birth :o). Once the shoulder was sorted the chucking stopped. With DD it took about 3 days after treatment to clear up :)

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I can't express enough to sustain her - I'm expressing every 2 hours, and she is feeding every 3 - she takes 120mls each feed - I'm not lucky enough to get that!!

My LC rang just before and is very happy with the way I'm doing things at the moment so if she's happy - I'm happy..lol

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Awesome -I'm so glad you are seeing an LC Mel! They are the BEST :D:D

Yep use the formula if that's what you need to do, she's still getting the goodness of your boobie milk too which is just great!! We used formula with DD in the early months too (I didnt have enough milk for her demands at one stage either)

A friend of ours had a son who had terrible reflux. They went to the chiro and that seemed to help a bit - but they were advised to by 'Novalac' formula.

They have different types depending on the problem, one for colic, one for reflux, one even for constipation (go figure ;)).

I've only really seen them in pharmacies - but our friends swore by the Novalac Reflux formula.

HTH.