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THE MYTH
Changing from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding will permanently solve feeding problems in babies with reflux.
THE REALITY
Babies refusing to breastfeed due to reflux pain may temporarily feed from a bottle, but will eventually also refuse the bottle once they realise that bottle-feeds also lead to the same pain. What is crucial is the right medication to reduce the pain. Then it should be possible for breastfeeding to continue.
THE MYTH
Babies need winding and the wind causes the pain.
THE REALITY
Babies don't need 'winding' any more than any other animal newborn, or adults. Many cultures do not wind their babies, and do not have any increased rate of unsettled babies, 'colic' or reflux than do Western cultures. In a baby known to have reflux, it is probable that the reflux is causing the pain.
THE MYTH
If your baby/child sleeps and is settled for long periods (particularly at night), your child does not have reflux.
THE REALITY
pH studies (where reflux episodes are monitored over 24 hours) have indicated that even in cases of severe reflux, reflux episodes (particularly at night) may not necessarily wake the baby/ child. However, damage to the oesophagus over this time will still occur.
THE MYTH
Changing to a thickened formula is more effective in controlling vomiting in reflux than using thickeners with breastfeeds,
THE REALITY
Using a thickener before, during or after a breastfeed is just as effective as using a thickened formula. Karicare Food Thickener and plain baby rice are both suitable thickeners for use from birth with breastfeeds.
THE MYTH
Off-the-shelf thickened formulas are thick enough to control vomiting and reflux.
THE REALITY
Thickened formulas may not be thick enough for many babies. For these babies the feed may need to be thickened to the consistency of 'sludge' with either plain baby rice or 'Karicare Food Thickener etc. and a fast flow teat used. This may seem unnatural for small babies but in reality is a very effective and safe solution.
Please note: thickeners are a valuable treatment for reflux vomiting, but may not be suitable for babies with oesophagitis.
THE MYTH
Babies that bring their knees up to their stomachs while crying have 'colic' or wind' pain.
THE REALITY
Any baby will bring up its knees to its stomach when it is crying hard - this is not an indication of either 'colic' or 'wind' pain.
THE MYTH
If it is a girl it won't have reflux.
THE REALITY
Girls get reflux too!!!! - although it is more common in boys. Did you know that if you have a boy with reflux the chances of your next child having it are believed to be about 2 in 3, or 65%. However, if you have a girl with reflux the chances of your next child having it are believed to be much higher - around 99%!!
THE MYTH
Once the symptoms of reflux are gone (or the child is upright and walking) they will not reoccur.
THE REALITY
Reflux symptoms may settle temporarily but worsen again if a child is ill, stressed, teething, crawling etc. It is common for symptoms (including vomiting) to come and go, particularly during the first two years of life.
For some children being upright more will be enough to reduce reflux, but for others it will continue.
THE MYTH
Reflux can be solved by upright positioning while sleeping, feeding etc.
THE REALITY
This is a management technique that helps but it is still possible to reflux. In fact, it is even possible for some babies/children to lie flat all night and not reflux at all, but to do the majority of their refluxing only while they are awake and upright.
THE MYTH
Uncomplicated reflux is a term to describe babies who don't have obvious signs of the more serious reflux complications.
THE REALITY
'Uncomplicated' reflux is a term for babies who spill/vomit lots but are otherwise happy, settled, and healthy! Babies who suffer pain from reflux have a complication of reflux called oesophagitis (excessive crying and/or feeding or sleeping problems may be the only sign). These babies therefore have 'complicated' reflux, and if left untreated they may then go on to develop any of the more serious complications (i.e. anaemia, oesophageal! scarring and strictures, failure to thrive, respiratory problems etc.)
THE MYTH
Surgery (Fundoplication) is a cure for reflux.
THE REALITY
Just like medical treatment, surgery is merely a treatment, not a cure. Surgery can not correct the underlying cause of the reflux, and therefore, just as medical treatment, may fail at anytime. It is major surgery with a long list of possible complications, which can be very severe. However, when reflux persists and presents life-threatening complications, the benefits of fundoplication may outweigh the risks. There are times when the surgery is necessary and appropriate, however it should not be done just to avoid the hassles of lifestyle changes and medicines.
THE MYTH
Omeprazole granules can be given with milk or before a breastfeed.
THE REALITY
Giving Omeprazole granules with milk may significantly reduce its effectiveness. For best results give the granules with something acidic (i.e fruit or fruit juice) and avoid giving close to a milk feed. Even for the youngest baby, this is still safe.
THE MYTH
Reflux is caused by depression.
THE REALITY
Reflux is DEPRESSING!!!
© Gastric Reflux Association for the Support of Parents/babies (GRASP) and Crying Over Spilt Milk Gastric Reflux Support Network New Zealand for Parents of Infants and Children Charitable Trust (GRSNNZ) 2004. Used and edited by GRSNNZ with permission.
www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz
Page may be printed or reproduced for personal use of families, as long as copyright and Crying Over Spilt Milk's URL are included. It may not be copied to other websites or publications without permission and acknowledgment. This information (unedited) was also provided (by GRASP) to health professionals in New Zealand to use " to continue to support and inform families with babies/children with Gastro-oesophageal Reflux."
Page last modified 15-Aug-2007 by Roz (Website Manager, Crying Over Spilt Milk).
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