Belle

we tried ranitidine and it didn't seem to help but then got put on omeprazole, that seemed to do the trick. We did try domperidone but only briefly as he was already on the omeprezole by then, so couldn't really tell if it made any difference. I do know quite a few people who've had success with ranitidine though. I have heard varying things re domperidone, so suspect with all these drugs it's just a case of trying them to see which works, and though I'd heard stories of babies being 'a different baby' overnight, it was more gradual than that for us. I'd still push for a referral if you can, because even if one of them works it'd be good to be seen on the NHS and able to get repeats and clinical reviews as necessary (all the meds have to be dosed according to weight for instance, and reviewed pretty regularly) - I've found it useful to talk through various aspects of reflux with the specialist. Also he was the one who suggested a poss cows milk protein allergy. Though we are doing it privately, through my husband's work health insurance, I was told by my GP that had I been referred on the NHS, it would not have been a long wait given how young my baby was.

not that we do, but have a few properties there or nearby that we like, so have been wondering what schools you'd likely go to from there? Obviously I realise there are no dead certs in the primary school application system, and the catchment varies plus bulges etc have an effect - but just wondering what the majority seems to be, if anyone on here knows? We may end up starting at Goose Green nursery because of where we currently live, and I was thinking it'd be nice to try for a school place there after for continuity (I know, I know - can't plan but can't help thinking about it either). But is perhaps too far. PM me if you prefer...

Beagle, I'm v impressed with yr 17mth old! there's no way I'd get my 3 yr old eating that! Not that it doesn't look nice, just he is super picky and I think that's pretty good going for a 17mth old. Crystal - great idea for a thread. Will have a think. Do you mean for E's tea or your own dinner? For the former I quite often give J reheated pasta puttanesca (leftovers). Often is stuff you have in - you could prepare a big batch for you all and even freeze some. Am pretty sure J leaves the olives/anchovies but he eats some of the tuna, tomato and pasta. If you like the idea I'll get hold of the recipe (I do v little cooking in our house!)

I do completely agree with Saffron - I've read Bad Science too, like many on the forum I suspect, and it's pretty damning, I know I wouldn't bother with homeopathy on that basis. BUT I do think this is a classic case of going off topic - the original poster asked for a recommendation, not a debate, and has herself said that she's not necessarily convinced but would like to give it a go.

that's interesting re gp - ovbiously played on his mind, as you say. My little boy is 17 weeks tomo, and on nutramigen AA. Don't know if it's def a cows milk protein allergy but frankly if it's working (and it's definitely not doing him any harm) am happy to try. Think he has been on it since he was 6/8 weeks but can check. People warned me he wouldn't like the taste but starting that early meant it was not a problem (though he was largely formula fed already by then - do n't know if wd be different switching from bf).

Yes, most definitely - he's pretty chunky! but that's because he eats LOADS to compensate. Last week he had a barium test as he's still v sick (but much happier now that the meds are sorted) and that meant we got to see the reflux in action, but the specialist commented that he must be a 'greedy feeder' to be maintaining his weight. In reflux babies of course if they're not putting on weight that's the biggest cause for concern, but just because your baby is, the fact that she's in pain is a good enough reason to be seen by a specialist. I really feel for you - sounds like you're having a similar experience to mine 2/3 months ago - and he is so so much better now. perhaps down to the meds, the special formula or just getting bigger - who knows. but personally I felt the medication and milk made the most striking difference - not overnight but still fairly obvious.

Anyone know if criteria is same as primary school admissions? Or is more first come, first served ie whenever you got on the waiting list? I heard from Goose Green they'd let people know re places in June - is that fairly standard? trying to plan childcare for after the summer...

I totally sympathise. I went to my GP and insisted on a referral and explained about the choking at night - don't worry too much as may well be symptomatic of reflux (was for us - not diagnosing just wanted to reassure you taht cd be a range of things). Agree with Fuschia re a&e if your gp is being slow. I was fobbed off with infacol etc at first by the gp. Felt v vindicated when I saw specialist who ruled out colic straight away. I'm actually pretty pro drugs but only when necessary, and in my opinion (as you say too), if there's a way to avoid a newborn being in constant pain, it should be given.

Inkmaiden Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Belle, I don't for one second equate not being > able to cope in the early days with being > neurotic- the early days can be very hard, > exhausting and somewhat terrifying. I was talking > about beyond the newborn bit and specifically > referring to the author who sounds like she just > needed to get over herself. Fair enough - sorry if I seemed over sensitive, I probably am! The whole how easy/hard it is with a baby thing always gets me going... I don't like all of what the article says, but do get the basic sentiment: that just because you have fewer children than someone else, doesn't mean you're not entitled to find it hard. I really do struggle to imagine having 9 kids though! someone was telling me that on that new midwife prog on bbc 1, there was a mother with 25 kids. I could not get my head around that...

Hmm, as ever it's v subjective. Lord knows, I definitely found it an epic struggle (still do sometimes) and know many many others who did too. Life is what you make it, well yes - but it's not always so simple is it? sometimes life changes can make your ability to manage very difficult, and I don't believe that not being able to cope very easily in the early days equates to being 'neurotic'.

yup I saw that on Facebook too...what I love is the references to previous threads along similar lines!

Oh my god, totally been there. As I think I've said before, we were fine with sing and sign and little bubbles,w here we were lucky to have teachers who didn't mind my son running amok, but elsewhere I used to get really stressed out. Then I realised it wasn't fair of me to expect my son (then under 2) to sit nicely if that wasn't what he was inclined to do. He's at nursery several mornings now so we're not enrolled in any more classes and even there they didn't force the sitting down issue at all when he started, saying 2 really is too little to expect that. Now he's nearly 3, he is encouraged to follow instructions, but they are not overly strict. I feel bad now that I used to constantly tell him not to run around at classes etc, will be much more relaxed with my baby (though sense he's not quite the same tearaway spirit!). We went to one quite expensive class where he was repeatedly told to sit down at 'circle time', and to go in the right direction doing activities, when he was just turned 2 - I found it so stressful that I stopped going even though I'd paid up for a term. Have sadly though had similar experiences at two free classes too. I do understand that it's not on if the child is so disruptive as to spoil it for others, but surely just running round/exploring/not sitting still every minute is all fairly harmless? Otta - I always felt like he was the only one too. We clearly need some groups for the runaways :)) There's a lovely bit in Steve Biddulph's book about letting your toddler explore even if it means it takes 2 hours to get somewhere (obv not always practical) - that, plus a blog post Fuschia once posted about toddlers have really made me stop trying to get my son to conform so much. Obviously that doesn't apply to any aggressive behaviour etc.

think my son went through this at similar age - and has def complained about it hurting if for e.g. he's had an upset tummy. We just gave baths a break for a bit or went longer between them I think, didn't push it, and I think got some new bath toys to tempt him back when he was ready. Now can't get him out of there...

ah, thanks people - to be honest it's just nice to hear stories of similar exeriences, I know really there's not a lot more to do other than wait it out. sleepadistantmemory (like it)- he's on dairy free milk already, the specialist we've seen for reflux suggested it...last few nights been a bit better i.e. some wakes after 2 hrs, sometimes 1...not sure if am doing the right thing by picking up to calm down etc, but seems the only way. totally agree re some babies are better sleepers than others, my first was, and it's not like we've done anything different really. can't sleep much in day as have nearly 3 yr old, but will try try try to get to bed earlier!

mattH Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Bring him in the bed with you. > > all my sons stayed in the bed with us - they still > wake up but.. your there. sorry this is probably > crap advice from a man and i can't say how our > nights would have been if they were in their own > bed. > > I wish you all the luck and wisdom in the world. Yeah, tried that - used to work but doesn't anymore! do know what you mean about being right there and not having to traipse down the hall/across the room, still do it on occasion for sections of the night, but doesn't seem to pacify him in the way it used to.

oh also - do love idea of london eye, esp as he has recently learned about london landmarks from his advent calendar, but am a bit wary of trapping him for any length of time in a pod with unsuspecting tourists...

oooh fab ideas all, thankyou! Crystal - J is the same re walking in the cold at the moment! At the zoo we had 1 buggy and 1 sling and swapped the kids in and out of the buggy, he lasted a good 2.5 hrs or so but some of that was inside (reptile house and the cafe). Birthday is a sunday which is a factor...guess there's nothing to stop us doing sthing on the Monday instead but is nice to do something on the actual day somehow.

hmm, perhaps will try some teething gel. Had jabs today just to mix things up some more! I agree it could be teeth but as he's never been a good sleeper to date, I had kind of dismissed the 4 mth sleep regression thing, in that he has nothing to regress from! It is a learning curve...so odd after my first who though a handful during the day, only ever woke for feeding at night, and even stopped doing that relatively early too. And teething didn't bother him! Hah - never thought I'd look back with rosy glasses on J's babyhood!

Not sure can face doing the full on birthday party just yet for my soon to be 3yo little boy, not least as have little one who doesn't sleep much at nights so too tired to plan and execute it! We don't really have room for everyone he'd want there and not keen to do a venue thing yet. Anyone have any ideas for a nice birthday treat we cd just do as a family? We went to the zoo the other day which was fab but quite cold - so some of my initial ideas (e.g. Legoland) seem like they might be out - his birthday is in 3 weeks so likely not to be too warm out.

Ugh, my 3 mth old, never a great sleeper, has periods where he wakes literally every 45 mins at night (usually this kicks in after the first feed, so at least we do luckily get an evening, which I am v thankful for!). Usually feeds at 1 and 5, doesn't seem hungry on the other wakes - more needs a cuddle/dummy/resettle or often ends up in with us, more because I get sick of traipsing through. Even then he doesn't go for much longer. It's def phases - recently was sleeping up to 4 hours inbetween night wakes which was miraculous. He has severe reflux but it is under control so don't think it's that...showing signs of early teething but these night wakes predate that by quite a few weeks. I know it will pass etc but am so so shattered. He's getting a barium test this week because of the constant vomiting but don't think it's that either to be honest...argh!!

yes, have only been once so far but just rang a day or 2 in advance and booked, and then was able to drop in - no membership needed. Thought it was really good - the lady who runs it was fab.

yes, totally agree BST and others. Have had similar experiences. We found a couple of classes that worked for us because paying attention/joining in was optional, so my son drifted in and out. Sing and sign was a good example - he didn't ever really do the signing but loved the singing and the teacher really 'got' him and let him be himself (without disrupting others). We went to that from 8mths - 2 years. but def struggled with others. it is hard in winter when it's a bit cold to be just in the park etc, roll on the warmer weather! One o clock club could be a good one given is free play but plenty to do?

yeah, I'm gutted as do love this programme but feel it's too close to the bone right now, am sure will come back to it next series though!

I love the beco too, got a good deal by keeping an eye on the slumberoo website, so worth looking at that (was a flash sale, got 30 odd % off I think). I do find the waist band rides up a bit sometimes but think that is because I haven't adjusted all the straps enough. Def find it the comfiest of any sling I've tried.

me...sorry, Strawbs, feels like I'm dogging your every post but does sound like our sons are v similar! We got a similar response from the specialist we've been seeing, although my son is on Nutramigen AA (similar - in fact he gave us the choice and this was just the one the chemist had in I think). We think it's helped ...he was def quite rashy before which is what prompted the doctor's decision. Still has eczema but less 'angry'looking after each feed - used to go bright red when he fed, and the screaming was awful. Reflux gradually improving - less screaming, slightly better sleeping (it's all relative!) - but yes v v sick. We're going for a barium test soon to check there's no stomach blockage as the specialist is a bit suprised at how sick he's still being but to be honest think it's a formality - is clearly healthy and putting on weight, I think it's going to be one of those things that we can alleviate a bit with meds but really it's growing out of it which will help. I was a bit worried about weaning etc - how/when to introduce dairy but the doc says we'll be advised when the time comes. and in truth am not convinced he def has an intolerance, but my understanding is that reflux babies can often cope better with nutramigen/neocate etc than standard formulas. I had already virtually stopped bfing when we were put on nutramigen but that was the clincher as couldn't see myself maintaining a strict milk protein-free diet - with a toddler too I find it hard enough to eat properly as it is most days! I do feel a bit sad about that as was so pleased to finally manage bfing after not being able to with my first, but at least this way I can delegate feeding and get some sleep! my little one is almost 14 weeks and i can def say the reflux has got a lot better in the last 3 weeks or so. We are going to stick to the nutramigen as it seems to work for him. Good luck and maybe get to compare notes at one of the autumn babies meet ups soon.