As most of you know from my ultra-frequent posts, Bethany does not sleep, and never has, through the night. She awakens approx. every hour or so until about 4:30am, when she really seems to be uncomfortable/in pain and must be held over the shoulder so she can sleep on & off until around 6am. During the times she awakens, she is fussy/seems uncomfortable and always looks to nurse. Dh and I had initially tried CIO (she just revved herself up and puked every time) and night weaning; however, our GI told us to stop this.

The GI thinks Bethany is nursing to soothe the burning in her tummy/esophagas and because she limits her intake so she is constantly hungry. She recommends we continue to get up with her and allow her to "graze" in order to soothe herself--at least until we find a med combo that begins to help her.

Dh and I have not had more than a few hours' stretch of sleep since we brought her home almost a year ago, so we figure we'll ride this out...we're afraid, though, that since she is going to be a year old next week, she's not going to learn to calm herself back to sleep when she does start to feel better.

I'm not really looking for sympathy; rather, I'd like to know if any of you had a GERDling who was diagnosed later in infancy (like Bethany) and had sleep issues like this...? If so, did you have issues with sleep once the GERD symptoms were under control? Or, do you notice that your kids' GERD symptoms are just naturally worse at night?

I'm anxious to see what kind of responses you get, Mary, as Catherine is getting progressively worse about sleeping. While she does have some underlying health issues aside from reflux, she's also developed terrible sleep habits that we, out of necessity, reinforce every night.

Yes, but once we got the pain under control it did get better. Have you tried some mylanta? That soothes the pain quickly.

We haven't tried Mylanta, as the GI told us to give Maalox (for heartburn and to help soften BMs). I assume they should both do about the same thing, no?

probably, I guess, not really sure... I am sure she is waking out of discomfort though, she may need a med increase or something, it was always something with Eli and once we figured it out, he went back to sleeping.

Man, I'm sorry but I wether you'r looking for it or not you've got my sympathy!! I don't know how you do it, I went through that for a few months with zac but not like that anymore! However, when Zac's reflux seemed to be at its worst I always gave him a shot of Mylanta before bed. That just might help her out. Is bethany sleeping with you? The reason I ask is that if she were maybe she can just sense you and smell your breastmilk therefor wakes becasue she just wants the comfort. I think she sleeps in her own bed though and if that's the case then that throws the whole theory out the window! Anyhow mylanta might help...I really hope this ends for you soon as I totally know what sleep deprivation does to you...can't imagine endearing that for a year!

Maalox helps Noah, but too much causes diarrhea. I'm pretty sure Mylanta and Maalox are basically the same, but maybe have a few different ingredients. I think Amanda knows...

I don't nurse, but I know all about comfort feeding. On Noah's bad days, he wants to eat an ounce every hour or so and he gets in that pattern and can't get out of it alone. He wants to suck on a bottle, but he can't take the formula... No good answer there... Does she take a pacifier? Noah won't now, but when he was little, I used to stall feedings by giving him one.

Hi...this is right of off Roni's article about Treatments...

Antacids containing magnesium can act as laxatives, whereas those containing aluminum may cause constipation.

Common antacids are:

Maalox® (Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)
Mylanta® (Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide)
Gaviscon® (Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Carbonate)
Milk of Magnesium® (Magnesium Hydroxide)

Basically, they all have magnesium in them....and aluminum, so I think it depends on each child and how they react to it. Milk of Magnesium is the only one with only magnesium. I guess that is why Emma's GI put her on it... :D

But, it's not working yet....she is constipated and is only pushing out little balls of poop. She won't eat much today b/c she's backed up again. Grrrr..... :x

Sorry...off topic, but I had to vent. :(

We always use Mylanta Supreme because it is Aluminum free...and it has simethicone in it, the same stuff used in gas drops.

Thanks for the info re: Maalox/Mylanta!

Bethany does not sleep with us--she is in her own room. I did have her in the co-sleeper next to me until she learned to sit up (about 7 months). I think most of the problem with the night waking is that she is uncomfortable and a small part is that she's going through crazy stranger anxiety/mommy clingy-ness. :-) (however, what accounts for the night waking before that...? *lol*)

She started the Prevacid solutabs on Thursday and I was so excited b/c that night she ate like there was no tomorrow and slept a 3.5 hour clip; however, now we're back where we started...and she's still not pooping!

I do appreciate hearing your thoughts, though. It's so great to get your opinions/advice on these matters!! :colors: