Symptoms to look for if you suspect your baby has gastric reflux

• Keeping a Symptom Diary of your baby's discomfort Keep a symptom diary of your baby's behaviour for a few days before you go to your GP. Below are some typical symptoms of Reflux. Tell your doctor about your baby's day from when they wake to when they sleep (if they sleep). Include feeding times. Make sure you enter how often the symptoms occur e.g. inconsolable screaming for 15 seconds every 2 mintues. When do these attacks occur? Write down the symptoms that your baby has and how long they last e.g. hourly, nightly, always around the same time of night, for the same amount of time. It's very difficult to communicate in words just what you and your baby are going through. It's hard to paint a picture of their pain in words. Let alone the impact of disruption it can have on your life and your home. I know whenever I took Cooper to the doctor, Cooper would always look so happy and would smile at the doctor as if to make a complete liar out of me. However, night after night he and I were totally miserable. Looking back now if you really think that words just won't 'cut it', then video some of their pain episodes and show the doctor. I think the person who shouts the loudest gets the most action. I only wish I shouted a lot louder and called up the doctor as soon as their suggestions failed to work. Don't let this happen to you and your baby. Following are just a few symptoms that you may see in your baby if they have silent reflux /gastric reflux. (I'll add more to this list as I come across them)
  
• Frequently wakes at night (episodes of waking as if they are in pain)
• RestlessGulping sounds (swallowing noises) burping
• Frowning (looks like they are in pain)
• Screaming / CryingJerky movements (arching back), head movments - pushing their head forward or back or to the side, drawing up legs, doesn't appear to be comfortable laying flat, likes to be held upright but wants to change upright position after a matter of seconds
• The baby may get some comfort from holding them tightly and pacing the room He/she wakes suddenly and cries out seemingly in distress
• Failing arms (arms move around rapidly)
• Winces in pain
• Erractic Feeding - Refuses feeding or may want to feed which may seem to soothe the problem for a short amount of time
• Spits/Spills up routinely after feeding
• Writhing as if they are trying to escape their own bodySeems like colicky pain "might be after food' or hours after food