Sent from my iPad

On Jun 4, 2011, Diane Wiessinger wrote:

> I recall thinking years ago that babies got better on alimentum/nutramigen
> because they no longer had to deal with an oversupply that was causing
> lactose overload and irritating their gut.  The mother pumps for a week, her
> supply drops, and when baby goes back to breast he's fine and everyone
> credits the alimentum.  Just a thought.

And a brilliant one at that. Only occasionally do I see a baby suffering from reflux whose mother does not have oversupply. When a mother describes a gassy, spitty baby gulping, choking and arching at the breast the first thing I do is explore her supply.  Some of these mothers have persistent, difficult to treat oversupply as evidenced by a baby that can slug down 5 oz. in 5 minutes. No wonder the lower esophageal sphincter cannot take it. When supply is brought under control reflux symptoms improve or disappear.  It's not an easy fix but if oversupply is the underlying cause then meds and elimination diets won't work.  If baby's esophagus is very irritated from persistent reflux then meds can provide comfort for baby until the esophagus heals.

Kathy Boggs, RN, IBCLC


             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome