Reflux

 Reflux is regurgitation of milk up the oesophagus.

It's important to understand a few things about this:

1) some reflux is totally normal in all babies no matter how they are fed In fact at least 50% of babies have reflux under age 6 months. I'd say nearly ALL have it to an extent especially when they are tiny.

2) reflux is normal: picture a tiny hot water bottle with no lid and a tube out of the top. It has no lid. Fill it completely. Then cuddle it, squeeze out a few "burps" (air bubbles) that have accumulated while filling it, pat it a bit, then lie it down on a flat surface. Some of the stuff you put in will probably spill out yes? This is basically why babies possett. Their stomachs are very tiny at only a few days old and the valve at the top is immature and doesn't close well. Their diet is liquid and prone to spill. We have to lie them down as they can't keep themselves upright. They love milk & so often take more than they can accommodate. It's a perfect storm for vomiting/ reflux/ possetting / whatever you want to call it.

3) reflux ONLY requires medication if the baby is in pain due to the problem, at which point it is really Gastro Orsophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), but many people just call this reflux which leads to confusion. Silent reflux is when it causes pain & distress to the baby but without seeing vomit come up very often. It's not silent if they do vomit.

4) painless reflux is a "laundry issue" not a disease and doesn't need medicating! My own daughter vommed copiously after nearly every feed but never seemed bothered by it. She gained weight well, was happy during and after feeds, went through at least 3 outfits a day as did I, and we never dreamed of giving medication as she was fine in herself.

5) it's far too young to diagnose GORD at a few days old. There's a huge chance this will improve massively with time.

6) fast let down certainly contributes to them taking more than they can fit in- if they struggle just take them off the boob and soak the excess in a muslin until flow settles again.



Information from group member and General Practitioner.