Susan: It has been my experience with premies, who get frequent apnea and
reflux and often together, that reflux can cause apneas and bradycardias, but
of course the bradycardias may not be evident unless the baby is hooked to a
cardiac moniter. Baby's with reflux typically act irritable and difficult to
calm and off the wall as you describe. It is VERY important to work with a
PEDIATRIC GI specialist to prescribe the correct medicines and doses (don't
we have one or two on Lactnet?) or the treatment will not be effective.
Putting cornstarch in the breastmilk will only serve to Possibly weight it
down in the baby's stomach but the reflux and irritability will still be
present. Talk about sacrificing breastfeeding on the alter of ignorance! On a
personal level, I developed reflux during my last pregnancy ( I thought I was
having panic attacks, I was that uncomfortable) and it never went away.
Proper medication is the only thing that helps me get through the days and
nights.

Debbie Rabin, OTR, CLC
Los Angeles, CA