This page is intended to provide some ideas for family and friends as to how they can support a family caring for a baby or child with reflux. Over time, we’ve collected a few ideas and listed some of them here to give you some practical suggestions. Attached is a letter to families and friends to help explain what’s happening and give ideas on how best to help.
I wanted to share our story because it’s confronting, exhausting and difficult even when your reflux experience is mild or more typical.
My name is Fran, and I have two children, Carmen and Flynn.
My pregnancy with Carmen was a fun one. I followed all the ‘rules’ regarding eating, chemicals and the works. I had to give up work fairly early into my pregnancy as I had incredibly bad exhaustion, fluid retention and all-day sickness. Pretty good start to that beautiful glowing pregnancy that all those books rave about. I have a bicronate uterus and she turned breech at 32 weeks: one foot under her chin and one in my pelvis, apparently a less than two percent chance of this happening!
My name is Bianca and I have one child, Oliver; he is 1 year old. Oliver was diagnosed with silent reflux at 4 months of age by one of my closest friends, who happens to be our GP. Thank god for her. She witnessed one of Oliver’s screaming fits; these used to happen most days, sometimes a few times a day and go on for what felt like hours, but was probably 30 to 60 minutes of screaming and crying before my husband or I would be able to settle him and/or he would fall asleep from exhaustion.
Be aware of your child’s position in the seat as baby capsules and some car seats can cause pressure in the stomach area. Keep an eye on your infant or child over longer journeys to ensure correct positioning in the car seat.