I can't help but chime in, although I am a lurker (and newly accredited
LLL leader). My second baby had GERD. In his case it was strongly
associated with allergies/food sensitivities. He nursed frequently
(though reluctantly). He was almost always in-arms (unless we were
actually in a car). Despite all this, he had this constant expression of
pain and would moan or cry frequently for the first few months of his
life.

Since food sensitivities clearly exacerbated reflux for him, a total
elimination diet worked for us. We did put him on zantac for about 2-3
wks and it provided some great relief, but I found he could go without
it if I was very careful about what I ate.

We recently spent a month in Japan and I've heard from numerous friends
that allergies are really on the rise there. I've seen a number of
exclusively breastfed babies there with rashes, eczema, etc.

I'm intrigued by the ibuprofen theory. I did take some ibuprofen after
the birth. One doctor suggested that the more likely cause of the leaky
gut, however, was antibiotic use -- our baby ran a high fever at 5 days
old and it is state law here (I believe) that your baby be hospitalized
for observation and put on antibiotics. Are many newborns routinely put
on antibiotics for any reason (or do they get them from their mother
during labor) if they're born in hospitals?

Christine Gross-Loh
Cambridge, MA

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