From my "reflux file" I gleaned the following posts. You could search
reflux in the Archives, but perhaps it is time to have it here again. There
are certainly many other posts on this topic.

I had a client this spring whose baby was diagnosed with reflux and
prescribed the usual meds, but the parents wanted to try other things
first.  Mom carried out an elimination diet ( dairy +) and took baby to a
chiropractor who is skilled in cranio/sacral work and who has had a lot of
experience with infants and children.  Between these two approaches her
baby was relieved of his problems, managed only by feeding similar to what
Jack's post below recommends--no more pain, no more losing his milk.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee


Ros Escott wrote the following last year:

I have been reading up on reflux since MJ launced EnfalacAR in
Australia, a thickened milk-based formula that MJ tells us will not
only cure, but prevent reflux. We know of mothers who have weaned
off breastmilk onto this product because of the promotional hype.

There was a good Italian study published last year that showed that
41.8% of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was associated with, and
probably caused by, cow's milk allergy (CMA).  The study included
breastfed, mixed fed and formula fed infants and they reported
finding no difference for sex, age or type of feeding. Infants with
both GER and CMA had a greater frequency of diarrhea (p<0.0001) and
atopic dermatitis (p<0.0002). However, diagnosis of CMA by clinical
history was only possible in about 25% of cases. The authors
conclude that all infants with GER be screened for possible
concomitant CMA.

Ref:  Giuseppe Iacono, MD et al  "Gastroesophageal reflux and cow's
milk allergy in infants: a prospective study"  J Allergy Clin
Immunology (1996) 97:3 822-827
_____________
Also from Ros:

I have heard that the latest theory on reflux is that it is common
in babies, but only becomes a problem when the baby has allergies and
the oesaphagus becomes irritated and raw.  Treatment?  Address the
allergy.  This was reported to me as having come from a high-level
conference on the topic. The allergy link makes sense to me.  Has
anyone else heard this?
________________________
Linda Smith wrote:

Anne asks:  do any of you know whether the gastro-oesophagul reflux exists
as a phenomenon independent of dairy allergy?

Yes, it occurs even in the absence of cow-milk or other allergy. Allergy
should be suspected in all reflux cases, according to two recent articles.
Reflux can be associated with pressure on the vagus nerve from misaligned
cranial bones (especially the occiput) following a difficult birth. I've
seen some dramatic reduction of reflux following cranial-sacral therapy or
osteopathic manipulative therapy. If you see reflux, check for facial or
postural asymmetry and/or suck irregularities as well.

Linda Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Dayton Ohio USA
____________
And something from Jack Newman that your present client could use:

So, no studies.  But a better approach, I think, and one I think helps,
is:  allow the baby to fall asleep on the first breast, allowing as much
non nutritive sucking as he'll do, during which time reflux may not
occur, and, at the same time, the stomach is being emptied (exactly what
the cisapride is supposed to be doing).

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC


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