I'm sorry this may be quite lengthy, but I really need some advice from parents that have maybe been where I am.
I have an 8 month old Jack, who was diagnosed as having GERD at 6 weeks, he is also starting to display a development delay as he is not yet, clapping, holding his own bottle or babbling (we are working hard with the pincer grip).
The thing I need advice about is actually my older son, who at around the same sort of age failed his 7-9 month check-up as again, no babbling etc., since that age he was back and forth to unregular check ups, I had to fight to get any sort of help and even then I wasn't offered much and was told, they think it is something neurological and he has 'global learning difficulties, development delay and behaviour problems'. Since having Jack diagonosed with GERD I notice many symtoms that my older son (Matthew) also displayed, he cried all the time, was a terrible sleeper, dribbled constantly up till he was about 5, even now he still has to be reminded to swallow (he is 9), he has major food issues, maybe he is just a fussy eater, maybe not.
My question is do you think it would be worth my while fighting to have him reassessed. Now Jack seems to be following the same development path as Matthew it is making me wonder if it could have all been down to reflux, Matthew didn't start talking until he was 3, so I'm wondering if his behaviour issues may have stemed from not being able to communicate and it is just a learnt behaviour rather than something neuro. I'm also thinking that if his speech delay is down to reflux if I should insist on him being reoffered speech therapy. I don't know, maybe I'm just clutching at straws, but I feel when it comes to my kids I have to explore every avenue, I'm not willing to just sit back anymore.

Hope someone can offer me some sort of advice.

Caroline x

i dont have a older child but from what you have said it sounds like you could be rite about the link between the reflux and his delays especialy with speeche

hopefully a experrienced mum will come in and check this out

sorry you are having it so hard. I think there can definately be a link between reflux and things in older children. My first son had reflux bad as a baby and is now still a bad eater and suffers constipation and constant bouts of tonsilitis, doesn't drink much and has a bad temper. all things that "could" be normal, but you wonder if it is. I think you should get him reassessed, it wont hurt and hopefully it will all be fine, but you will feel better kwim?

I think you are right to want to have them check every avenue. Of course it could be normal behavior but if there is a chance he is sick, then get it checked out.

My 3 year old was suffering for a long time and I didn't know it. We thought we had it under control because I didn't recognize many of the symptoms. He has food issues and swallowing issues. He is hoarse a lot of the time. He has weird breathing episodes. I know now that it is all related to his reflux but I wish I had taken action sooner.

Good luck!

It is definately possible he had reflux when he was younger and you didn't know, he could still suffer a bit. I would get him re assessed and also probably take him to a GI to see what they have to say about it. Therapy never hurts, even if they say, he is fine.

With your 8month old, from what you are posted I don't think any of that is delayed just yet, and maybe the experience with your older son has you more stressed about milestones. Typically around here, most are a little slower on the milestones but most generally get there with no intervention. Since he is on medication the hope would be that the reflux is not bothering him and he won't get the same aversions that your older son got.

Good luck, let us know how you get on at the docotrs.

Thank you for your comments ladies, it's so nice to have some support. I'm not sure what it is like over in the US, but over here the doctors all seem to treat reflux as nothing more serious than colic. Even my baby's father will say 'so he suffers from a bit of heartburn', so as you can probably tell I don't get much of a positive response from anyone I know when I try to talk to them about my concerns.

Alot of people have said to me that I'm probably more anxious then I should be while waiting for Jack to hit his milestones. I do hope I am worrying for nothing.

Caroline xx

Hello,

I don't post here a lot, but noticed about your little Jack. Now I don't have an older child, but what you describe with Jack is exactly like my son (who is also named Jack!) :-)

Your older one sounds a lot like what my son is going through right now. Jack is 11 months old and was diagnosed with a developmental and speech delay at 9 months old. But doc knew he had reflux and referred me to a pediatric neurologist. The specialist didn't suspect neurological problems, but said basically because of the reflux, it has snowballed into other problems.

So Jack is in physical therapy now and also speech therapy and I am seeing a HUGE improvement after only a month!

So I would recommend getting your older son checked out. It just sounds too much like what my son is going through and his is because of reflux.

I hope that helps some. Good luck!