Spitting Up - Celina,TX

I agree with the wedge idea, but I would tell your sister to NEVER put a bottle with her in bed. I always had a fear of my son choking, and I was afraid of tooth rot. JMO. I would put a pacifier in the bed. I put several (like a lot) in case he lost his. If she lets her feed in the middle of the night, she'll just get used to eating at night. That will not help her learn to sleep all night, and she may develop poor eating habits when she is older.

My son had reflux when he was a baby, and he was on Zantac for a year. He spit up, but he never projectile vomited. He did that when he had a stomach virus. It sounds like something else is going on. Hope everything works out!

My DD has reflux and when she was your niece's age, she spit up all day long. It was everywhere, I had to change her and my clothes a million times a day!!!
My baby did sleep in her swing and bouncy some because she was able to sleep more upright, however by 4 months old she was in her crib with a wedge.
I completly understand the desire to do what is easy, but sometimes it is not what is best for the baby. I second not allowing the baby to sleep with a bottle, for one, you are not supposed to leave formula at room temp for more than one hour. At this age (as I am sure you know), it is pretty normal for a baby to still wake up to eat at night, but in my opinion leaving the bottle propped is not the answer.
It may be very difficult for you to address your concerns with your sister. If she asks for your input, give it. If not, let it go unless your niece is in danger. It may also help for you to do some research and then you could let your sister know about helpful tips or articles. You can say "hey I was reading something really interesting about reflux...sleeping with a bottle....etc".
Good luck!

Hi Lindee,
After reading your letter I am concerned for your neice. I have a 2 1/2 year old son that also has the same problem as far as throwing up. He is also on acid reflux medicine that controls his vomiting. My concern to you is that continuous vomiting is not good for your neices throat. My sons digestive health doctor wanted some tests run on my son back when he was throwing up a lot and the tests showed that he had a sore in his throat due to the acid that was coming up from his stomach. The doctor said that if this went on for a prolong period of time the sore could become cancer. I don't mean to tell you this to scare you, only inform you. Your neices vomiting needs to be under control. I would be glad to give you my digestive health doctors name if you would like it. He is wonderful and great with children.

Hi Lindee,

Does your niece sleep in the infant carrier to keep her at a more upright position because of spitting up? If this is the case, ask your sister to ask the pediatrician about getting a wedge for your niece to sleep on. It's a foamy wedge that sits perfect inside the crib and sits at a 45 degree angle (I think, can't remember exactly). The baby sleeps on it at an angle and helps with reflux and spitting up. My daughter had to sleep on one for the first few months of her life. She was an 8 week preemie but had a reflux as well as undeveloped pipes, so we had to add Simply Thick into her breastmilk for every feeding. Prior to us getting this wedge, you could hear our daughter "gurgling" and it was so disturbing and a couple of times she choked very bad. This was from her aspirating fluid into her lungs. We were lucky she happened to choke right when we were there with her or else no telling what could have happened. She slept much better with this wedge too. Have her ask for it. They cost $150 and most insurances don't cover it, but I can imagine sleeping in the infant carrier can't be comfortable at all for your niece - that could be a big reason why she wakes up fussy through the night too. I bet her back and bottom ache very bad.

In fact, we still have our wedge and I'd be willing to sell it for $50 if she wants to try it.

Good luck, she's lucky to have you for a sister!

-Char