Helen - I tend to agree - I see many babies who have been 'diagnosed'with reflux - I heard a paed speak ( sorry cant remember his name) who said it was more to do with anxiety/ lack of attunement than a 'stomach' condition -I wouldnt blame parents though as anyone with an unsettled baby would be anxious/ vicious cycle. I have though seen babies settle "miraculously' after a little work with parents - teaching baby massage is a very non-intrusive/ non "blaming" way to help parents become confident at attuning with baby non-verbal cues and thus responding appropriately; also if they do a few tangible things like positioning babies - ie head elevated - I show a lovely position with a pillow between parents bent legs( feet together, knees open, with pillow resting on parents feet), baby facing parent, so baby and parent make good eye contact - babies seem to stop grizzling straight away - and colic holds ; 'colic' massage -I too am a bit sceptical about all the 'wind' that seems to be around; plus a few changes to mums diet ( wonder if some of this is allergies/ food sensitivity - mums tend to fill up on chocolate when they feel stressed with unsettled bubs) and within days babies are much better.
perhaps having a label takes away the blame aspect that parents are doing something wrong - I also see babies for whom meds make no difference - eg one this week diagnosed with 'reflux' -I suggested a really good paediatric chiro locally - bub had been breech ( vag birth) and turned out he had a shoulder dislocated - mum also eating loads of dairy. Bub was much calmer after his shoulder was fixed, relaxed and took a full massage that afternoon - the previous session he cried so much he couldnt be massaged at all. I wonder if the 'overdiagnosis' of reflux is a treatment of symptoms not a look at what could be causing the crying and /or vomiting. Pinky ----- Original Message ----- From: Helen and Graham To: ozmidwifery Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:22 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Reflux Just found this article whilst surfing the net. I feel anecdotally that both reflux and colic are overdiagnosed. I am a midwife but not a MCH nurse. If it is so common maybe it IS a normal variation......what do you think about it? It just seems to me that some people aren't happy until they have a label and a medicine to treat it with when they have an "unsettled" baby. Maybe I am being too simplistic about this subject. Interested in the thoughts of some of our online listers. Helen http://www.bubhub.com.au/newsletterdec0601.shtml Reflux is so common it is almost seen as 'normal', or even trivial, and most people just don't understand how difficult life can be for many families, or understand the impact reflux can have on their lives! They may think of it erroneously as 'just a bit of vomiting', or 'just a behavioural issue'. They don't see how it impacts on the child's eating, sleeping, growth, behaviour or quality of life; or on the family's quality of life, relationships between partners, siblings or other children; finances; and even leisure time. The truth is, only families who have experienced it for themselves really understand. Many families: a.. Have difficulty getting people to believe just how bad the vomiting and/or the screaming really are b.. receive conflicting and confusing advice c.. become socially isolated d.. feel like failures as parents e.. have family and friends who just didn't understand Even when a baby is suffering from relatively uncomplicated reflux, families often need reassurance, and enjoy talking to someone who understands. For the families whose infants suffer complications, it is even more important that they can talk to other parents, and have the support, reassurance and understanding they need to get through this stressful experience
