Reflux in Toddler?

HI--
There are a few things you could try.
1. Often time reflux that doesn't seem to respond to treatment is caused by a hiatal hernia. This is when the stomach gets up under the diaphragm. It happens in babies because their stomach muscles aren't strong enough to keep the organs in place. It even happens in adults, usually due to stress. Our chiropractor taught us how to literally pull the stomach down to pull it back into place. I had to do it quite often with my youngest. He would start spitting up, I'd pull his stomach down and all symptoms would immediately go away. Eventually his muscles got stronger and we stopped having to do it.
2. Food allergy tests do not always show a sensitivity. An allergy is a histamine reaction (from the liver) whereas a sensitivity is caused by an inability to properly digest something. There are lots of things you could try. Aloe vera, catnip and fennel, slippery elm, and marshmallow root to calm the stomach and the inflammation. Probiotics to help calm the inflammation and assist in digestion. Food enzymes to help in digestion (they make chewable ones for kids). The most common sensitivities are to gluten and casein. Both are very difficult to digest. Also corn and soy. Unless organic, wheat, gluten and soy are genetically modified, which is being shown to cause liver damage.
3. Have you had him tested for H. Pylori helicobactor? That is the bacteria that causes ulcers. Our dog had it and I became a carrier, passing it to my youngest. He had stomach issues for his entire first year until I treated him for that (with mastic gum). Suddenly his stomach issues went away all together.
4. Has he been tested for systemic yeast infection? If he had thrush as a baby, or if he has ever had anti-biotics, it is likely that this could be the problem, or at least contributing to it.

I have used the alternative medicine approach with my kids because western medicine gave me the run around a lot like you are experiencing. No real answers or solutions. If it resonates with you, I would suggest finding a natural practitioner in your area (naturopath, chiropractor, acupuncturist, etc).

If you have questions about anything I've written, please don't hesitate to ask.
Good luck,
J.

I have three stories that my help you with direction.

First I have a girlfriend that had twins with this same problem. Those kids were miserable and she struggled with them until way after 2. The docs never found anything and they finally grew out of it.

Second is another girlfriend whose kids had these same problems, one was just over a year and the other was 3. Neither of them seemed to be getting better. Ultimately, her docs never found anything so she decided to cut gluten out of their diets. Both kids quit puking and both are perfectly fine now. The docs had done all the tests, allergies, GI, etc. and nothing ever showed up.

I have a friend that swears by avoiding the poisons in our foods. She says you can correct anything if you go whole foods, little meat and dairy and our bodies will heal. She seems to be on to something you may want to consider also. I know that all the chemicals and hormones we ingest really mess with our bodies.

Good luck! There is nothing worse than watching our kids suffer.

All my boys had really bad reflux. They were on zantac. I put them on Ulitmate Aloe juice and they are now fine. They take it every day. I reccommend the strawberry kiwi because kids love it. It's sweet. The other flavors are bitter. Just 2 ounces a day will really help. Safe for baby.
The link is below.
My doctor also had me put cereal in their bottles. One tsp for every ounce of formula. It helped keep it down because it was thicker. My third son came home on cereal. :)

http://bit.ly/ripp5j

It does sound like severe reflux. My granddaughter was the same way for years (she's now almost 10) and started sleeping propped up on several pillows, it's the only thing that helps. Make sure he's checked for sores in his esophagus, too, they can be very painful and caused by all the acid buildup and vomiting, and he would need an antibiotic to clear them up.

My little guy is almost 2.5, gets hiccups quite often and sometimes burps and is uncomfortable but his pediatrician won't diagnose him with reflux or prescribe meds because he doesn't vomit, he's never had any problems with formula, milk, any foods or his weight, though. So he sleeps on his Pillow Pet (since he was 20 months) and it helps him.

Hope you can find some relief for your son soon.