GERD and Colic

Before we left the hospital, they had changed Arabella's formula three times. By the time we left the hopsital, we were giving her Similac Sensitive RS. The rice starch in the formula was supposed to help with the GERD and her spitting up. After the first night we figured out what worked for her. She would sleep the majority of the night only waking twice to eat.

After the first couple of weeks we noticed that she was making a lot of noise and even crying in her sleep. I chalked it up to the reflux. I noticed that things were progressively getting worse. I was having to swaddle her and hold her literally all day long. When she fell asleep I would be able to put her either in her swing or lay her on the Boppy on the couch. Things just kept getting worse especially at night. I called the pedi and since had no open appointments I saw the nurse practioner because I was worried about her feeling bad at night. The NP told me she had what sounded like colic. She recommended that we switch formulas.

At first she recommended Similac Alimentum, but after explaining that as a baby I had issues with Similac, she let me try the Enfamil Nutrimagen. The Nutriamagen she spit up everything immediately. I called the NP and she said to try the Alimentum because that was the best one. I went and bought a can and it made things worse. Between the Nutrimagen and the Alimentum, she wasn't sleeping at all at night. It made her gas worse, and she was much more fussy. Nathan and I were having to sleep in shifts because she was up literally all night long with no sleep. She slept during the day when her colic wasn't acing up, but nights were hell. I would take the first shift and Nathan the second. Neither of us could stay up all night since he had to work and I was no good to Arabella half asleep. On average we were both getting about 4 hours of sleep. She was only comfortable when she was swaddled and held super tight. So we held her all night long.

I called to update the NP on the formula situation and as a last ditch we tried the Enfamil Lipil for fussiness and gas. She spit that up completely so again I called the NP and she told me to just go back to the Similac Sensitive RS. She has been much less gassy and fussy. All of this started because she had Colic. Now that I know what it is, I can better manage it. Throughout this whole ordeal I had been giving her Mylicon and Gripe Water. I was not at all impressed with the Gripe Water. A fellow nestie friend recommended a colic remedy she used on her kiddos. I am currently waiting on that to get here. Apparently I can't find it here in town so I had to order it online.

I need to learn to trust my instincts more. I was just wanting her not to be in pain anymore. If there was something I could do to help her, I would do it. I didn't think changing her formula was going to be a good idea because of her GERD. After the last formula change I was VERY skeptical about it working. So far today since I gave her the old formula she has been much more relaxed and less gassy. I don't have to give her Mylicon around teh clock anymore. I'm hoping tonight is a good night and she finally gets a good night's rest.

*crosses her fingers* Here's to hoping!