not eating

[Anonymous]

Sebastian has been eating less everyday for the last four days. He is down to only eating a couple of bites of his baby food and cereal and then clamping his mouth shut and turning away from the spoon. He usually eats half a seconds foods jar for breakfast and half for dinner and about a 1/4 cup of oatmeal twice a day. He is also drinking less in his bottle. He usually has four 6-8 oz bottles a day. Yesterday he only ate 3-4 oz at a time and this morning he only at two oz.

I am pretty sure he is getting the cold that I am just getting over. He is sneezing and coughing more then usual. He always sounds a bit congested from the reflux, so sometimes it is hard to tell. He is also probably teething. He only has his middle bottom teeth so far. There are probably more coming in.

I know from reading other posts that it is normal for babies to eat less when teething, and if he also is not feeling well do to a cold then it would make sense that he would not be interested in food. My question is when should I stat to worry?

[Anonymous]

Hi Sebastian’s Mom…

I know your worries all too well. Carter’s desire to eat diminishes with every cold, ear infection – and most of all with his teething. I find myself counting every spoonful I get in him when he starts to go into his feeding strikes…so I know exactly how you are feeling.

I have found Hyland’s Teething Tablets to provide him the most relief for the teething – – and bring his appetite back with it. They Tylenol just doesn’t seem to be as effective for Carter. If you haven’t tried them, they can be found at Walgreens (and perhaps other pharmacies too) or a natural food store. I was a bit hesitant with trying the homeopathic stuff at first but for us it really has made a world of difference….and I figure if Walgreen’s sells it…. it’s got to be safe, right?!

Good luck with Sebastian!

[hellbennt]

katey wrote: He is down to only eating a couple of bites of his baby food and cereal and then clamping his mouth shut and turning away from the spoon.

any chance the cereal has milk or soy proteins in it?

katey wrote: He always sounds a bit congested from the reflux, so sometimes it is hard to tell.

maybe a PPI would help

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips. I have the Highlands and used them with the last tooth. I have not tried them yet since he started eating less so I will give it a try.

The cereal is just Earth’s Best oatmeal with Nurtramigen. He has been eating it well for the last couple months. I have not introduced any new foods for about three weeks.

As for the PPI, lets just say I am working on it. He responed so well to the Reglan I did not push the issue at first. But now that he is older and still needs the meds I think I will start to push for the PPI and the GI referal.

[Anonymous]

Katey,

My daughter has silent reflux and is just a few weeks younger than Sebastian. I can tell you that when we started the PPI then the congestion due to the reflux went away. I don’t know if that’s always the case but it seems to me if he’s still got the congestion then his meds aren’t doing their job 100%. And not to freak you out or anything but you know about the possible side effects with the Reglan, right? From what I’ve read (mostly on these boards) if Sebastian doesn’t have DGE then he doesn’t need the Reglan anyway. Did they do a test for that? I would definitely get the GI referal.

I’m sure the cold and the teething are causing his lack of interest in eating. I know I certainly don’t feel like eating as much when I have a cold. Have you tried Motrin? The Hylands tablets freak me out (they have belladonna in them – aka deadly nightshade) but I know lots of moms that swear by them so who knows.

Karen

[Anonymous]

Thanks Karen, I have read a ton of stuff on Reglan. Sebastian is on a very low dose, .5 mil twice a day. He has not had any problems with side effects or any kind of reaction.

We have not done any testing. So far I have taken the, if it’s not broke don’t fix it, approach. A couple weeks after starting the Reglan (3 months) he was like a totally different baby. He started sleeping in his bed rather then the swing or on me all night. He only woke to eat and then would go right back to sleep. He was happy and playful during the day. Things were so bad before that I did not want to take the chance of messing it up.

Now that he is older and been doing well for so long I think it is time to try something new. I never wanted the Reglan to be a long term fix. He was doing so well I tried cutting it back three weeks ago. I went from .5 to .4 mills and he started having problems.

I know I should get to the GI and have him tested and try a PPI, I am just worried that he will end up worse. I have read posts about babies having problems with berrium and other issues with tests. and I know that often parents have to try different PPIs or different ways of administering them before they are effective. I do not know anyone who has seen the Ped. GI group here so I don’t know if they are any good.

Sorry for the rambling. I have just been torn about what to do for so long. I just want to do what is best for my son. I would feel terrible if I changed things and he ended up worse. But there is also the risk that things could be over looked or not treated right. Ok I am done rambling now.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live? Maybe we can recommend a Ped GI?

[Anonymous]

Hi Katey,

I really understand your fears and concerns about having Sebastian undergo medical tests or start new medications. I worry myself sick when something is wrong with any of my children and they have to have any kind of medical test, and I hate to put them on meds which may have side effects. Right now I’m struggling with what to do about chronic constipation in my little guy. I’d hate to put him on medication for it (if that’s what the doctor even recommends), but I worry about what will happen long term if his problem is not treated medically. I don’t want him to have any medical tests either, but I’m scared that there may be something wrong with him.

Anyway, you’re not alone in being apprehensive.

His diminished eating in the last few days is very possibley caused by teething and his cold. Myles clamps his little mouth shut when he’s teething and eats less when he has a cold, too. Hopefully that will pass in a few days.

My only concern about what you said in your initial post is that he is always congested. That would concern me because it could mean that his reflux is not properly controlled and the constant acid backing up is causing damage to his esophagus as well as the congestion. There’s a link between reflux and respiratory symptoms. Myles began to have a wheeze and cough but it vanished once he was on Prevacid. I would highly suggest that you consider a PPI medication for Sebastian because the congestion suggests to me that his reflux is not under control.

Your pediatrician can prescribe a PPI. My family doctor prescribed it for Myles.

I hope things get better soon.

Christine

Christine

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the support Christine. It helps to know I am not the only mom who does not know what to do somtimes.

I live in Grand Blanc MI. There is only one Ped. GI group on my HMO. The Docs are: Brown, Pamela MD, Dickinson, Chris MD, Zoubi, Najeeb F MD. If anyone has heard of them I would love some feedback.

Thanks again for all the help everyone.

Katey

[Anonymous]

Katey:

There is a mom over on infantrefluxdisease.com named Minnie who lives in Michigan and has recently had excellent luck with her doc. I believe it is under the “updates” section of posts. Maybe you could see who she sees and if it is far away from you. I don’t know his/her name but it may be worth a try. Her doc even went to the Marci-kids site and was very impressed and prescribed based on their recommendations. Check it out

Hope things get better soon!!

Robin

[Anonymous]

Katie:

I emailed Minnie and her family practice doc is Thomas Sainz and her GI is Dr. Malas. Dr. Malas website is http://www.sparrow.org/childrenscenter/gastroclinic.asp

She said she lives in central Michican but if you happen to live near Detroit, she would recommend the Children’s hospital.

Don’t know if this will help our not but thought I would try.

Robin

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help, Robin. My insurance is an HMO and it is really hard to get out of network dr.s I have to at least try the ones here and then if I don’t like them I can go out of network and pay more.

Thanks again for taking the time to get the info. for me. Katey

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