If you think COLIC you must read this - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

cheryl1121 · 01-17-2005, 06:26 AM

I am a grandmother of 8 grandkids, ages 3 mos to 13 years. Husband has two daughter which has total of five and I have one daughter with total of three.

My daughters first little girl was very collicky, so we were told. This poor child never stopped crying for first 4 months. Thought my daughter was going to lose her mind. Tried breastfeeding, changing to formula, then to soy. Nothing seemed to help. Doctors just said colic and would need to just grow out of it. Now I realize that was BULL! Anyway her second child really didnt have much of a problem. She had her third child four months ago. This little boy was good for first week only. He cries almost constant. Only sleeps in the cradle swing, would never lay more than 2 minutes in basinett before screaming. Screams as soon as you put him in carseat also. All trips to school or anywhere are nightmares, talk about nerves going batty. At two months started having ear infections, has had three so far. Then started spitting up more than normal, then became total vomiting. Screamed like bad stomach pains, would curl up legs throw head back and scream. Never sleep more than two hours during night, has past month only slept about 10 minutes at time during day. Total maybe one hour daily. Anyway doctor could never find any problems antibotics for ear infections, gas medicine for stomach pains. Nothing helped though. Then a friend told her she knew the cry and that her child was same way. She was dxd with ACID REFLUX. NOT COLIC AT ALL. My daughter took her baby back to the doctors (3rd time that wk) and told her she suspected acid reflux, doctor gave her a medicine to try and see if it helped. Oh yeah, my daughter told this doctor (after dr. said still nothing wrong) she was not leaving until something was done that her son was not alright and demanded something done. Anyway I started researching on internet about infant acid reflux and was I ever amazed. This poor baby had every symtom mentioned. WHY COULD THIS PEDITICIAN NOT KNOW THIS AFTER FOUR MONTHS OF HELL. I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THIS. I read that most babies dxd with colic actually have acid reflux but yet few drs ever even mention it. Anyway I that day online purchased THE TUCKER SLING and that first night gave him the medicine and put him in this sling in his crib and he actually slept seven hours straight. also gave him spoon of ceral to help. he is now the perfect little boy and is so happy. my daughter also started breastfeeding with him sitting up on her lap. since he does not lay flat at anytime he has stopped crying and has no more horseness in his throat nor spits up more than normal. WHAT A DIFFERENCE. come to find out they think this is in the genes. My daughter was collicky then her first chid was and then her third. also I was when a baby. ANYONE THAT THINKS THEIR BABIES ARE COLLICKY MUST RESEARCH THE SIGNS OF ACID REFLUX THERE ARE MANY EXCELLENT WEBSITS AND MESSAGE BOARDS. I JUST CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THESE DRS JUST BRUSH THIS OFF SAYING COLIC. IT COULD SAVE MANY MOTHERS AND BABIES FROM A LIVING HELL. BUT I GUESS THEY JUST COULD CARE LESS, MAYBE IT KEEPS THEM IN CUSTOMERS IF THEY DONT CURE THEIR AILMENTS.

cheryl1121 · 01-17-2005, 06:33 AM

Hiccups And Gas Are Also Sign Of This

4given1 · 01-22-2005, 10:23 AM

The word "colic" does not necessarily denote "stomach problems," rather, it is a "catch-all" word for crying/fussing/irritability for which a cause is not readily apparent. There are a few symptoms inherent with reflux, but it too is not always easy to diagnose.

2tiredmom · 01-22-2005, 10:58 AM

Boy I could write you a book. Both of my children had reflux. My youngest had reflux with esophagitis and was a lot harder to "fix". I had many people doctors included that told me "it's just colic" he'll outgrow it" BS!!!! Colic is NOT a diagnosis it is a symptom! People who say they'll grow out of it either didn't care or never lived with a baby with colic. After many diff meds and we finally got him straightened out. For the 1st 8 weeks he slept sitting up in a swing or reclining in his carseat with me rocking it all night long. He took Prevacid and was on Nutramigen and later on Lactosefree formula. Once we found the right combination he was like a new baby! Friends could not believe he was the same kid. That made us all very happy. Glad you and your daughter got help for you grandson! Good Luck.

Oh and another thing babies do not necessarily need to spit up entire bottles of formula/breastmilk to be considered to have reflux. My youngest didn't spit up much but the formula would come up the back of throat just enough to go back down again burning his little throat twice. That's how he ended up with esophagitis. Now my older son would projective vomit entire bottles. He's 6 now and still complains of burning in his throat sometimes. So no they never entirely grow out of it. But with the proper treatment it is manageable.

Oh and my pediatrician was great. He knew our problem was beyond his scope and sent us directly to a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Told you I could write a book! LOL

Zayazmama · 02-13-2005, 02:09 AM

Cheryl...I am glad you posted what you did. I had a heck of a time with my first child and after months of ear infections, throwing up, and crying all the time, FINALLY, I went nuts on the doctor and demanded he get off his rump and take a serious look at what was up with my son instead of just trying to make easy money off us and send us out the door. Finally, low and behold.....reflux. He gave him a prescription which helped. Unfortunately, my son is 7 now, and still has the occasional issue with it. But I have learned to deal with it myself without resorting to medicine. I am about to have another baby in a couple of weeks and this is someting I am definetly gonna watch for. I am not about to put my baby or myself through all that crap again.