Reflux in newborn baby: your stresses, their symptoms

That moment. That PIVOTAL MOMENT for new parents. 

No, not when you see the plus sign on the pregnancy test. Not when you hear the heart beat for the first time. Not when you get you finally hold your newborn in your arms.

No, the moment you walk in your front door and realize the baby you just drove home from the hospital is in fact yours, and you are now in charge. 

It's hard enough for new parents to work through the normal stresses and physical demands of this huge transition. When your new addition starts vomiting up their only source of nutrition you'd better run for the Kleenex.

Your Stresses

• Why is my newborn spitting up?
• Am I doing something wrong?
• Are they getting enough to eat?
• Is there something wrong with my baby? Are they allergic to milk? Me?
• Am I a truly horrible person who will never figure this out? 

Many questions like these will flow through your mind simultaneously. What's important for your doctor to help you is to specifically identify and describe the potential symptoms:

Their Symptoms

• Are they spitting up/vomiting after every meal, and even in-between feedings? Is it projectile or forceful?
• Do they appear to be coughing/choking/spitting during and in-between feedings?
• Does the spit up vary in color, texture, etc.?
• Is their crying and perceived discomfort seem abnormal or constant?
• Do they have trouble getting any sort of rest (naps, sleep, etc.)? 
• Do the symptoms lessen when they are held upright?

Your doctor should be updated on these symptoms during your periodic visits, and of course, you should contact your doctor asap when you notice anything very odd, serious or downright scary. 

Yes, most babies spit up, and about half spit up a lot (according to generally accepted knowledge regarding spit up) but with all you question about yourself in those first weeks at home, never question your intuition when you know something just isn't right. 

Also check out the article 5 Sneaky Symptoms of Acid Reflux in Infants from WhatToExpect.com. 

What tipped you off to thinking you were facing more than a laundry problem with your precious one? 

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