To Patricia Drazin:  The burning sensation caused by reflux
of stomach contents into the esophagus is caused by acid, not bile.  Bile
does not enter the intestine until the mid-portion of the duodenum, which is
after the stomach.  Bile does come into the stomach during prolonged
vomiting, but with simple GE (gastroesophageal) reflux, only acid comes up.
There are some recent studies concerning the use of cereal to help with GE
reflux that suggest that cereal might not help.  I agree with you all, I
think positioning is best.  Do any of you recommend the Tucker sling?  After
holding which is of course the best, moms have to go to the bathroom
sometime (I know, I know, moms go to the bathroom while their babies are
nursing--but you have to admit that skill takes a little practice!).
Anyway, this is a device that a parent invented for the crib.  It is a piece
of material that loops over the top of the mattress and has another piece of
material attached to it in the shape of a diaper, that you velcro shut to
keep the baby in place.  The head of the crib is elevated to that 30 degree
angle that keeps food from refluxing all the way up.  This device is for
babies with really severe reflux, and you are trying to avoid an operation.


Terry Lynn Dise, MD
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