Looking for Advice Please - CMA/SMA Althéra
Hey all, my little one is showing the following symptoms…
Shows clear feeding cues but then visible discomfort when milk hits stomach, refusal of bottle, pushing tongue in way of latch, throwing head back and squirming, wheezing/raspiness after some feeds (which was originally put down to a floppy larynx as born prem), coughing/gaging during feed, red bottom, no progression in milk intake for weeks and steady decline was taking 120ml regularly at 5 weeks now at 12 takes anything from 30-100ml, weight has now plateaued. However occasionally has a fuss free feed - seems normal.
Tongue tie was found but very minor GP insistent would not be cause. Moved teat size up all fine and has occasional fuss free feeds on bottles and historically was fine so convinced isn’t bottles.
Been to GP several times as feeding her is so distressing but to no avail but now interested as weight had stunted. I inquired whether it could it be silent reflux or CMA.
Been prescribed SMA Althera currently. My questions are:
1) Did anyone else’s babies show these symptoms and show them inconsistently e.g sometimes have a good feed despite having allergy? As I was wondering if it’s an allergy wouldn’t adverse reaction be shown every feed?
2) How long did it take for new formula to have positive effect on feeding behaviours/comfort?
3) Did anyone have to switch from Althera to Alfamino to see any joy?
4) Did anyone use prep machine to make up the feed on these powders?
Thank you so much Mumma’s x
Show your support
It took a week or so to see an initial improvement, but we're on a different milk now which she is doing better on. There are specific instructions on how go make the milk up so don't think can use a prep machine ?
Sounds like reflux to me. Which can be caused by tongue tie or allergy. IMO there’s no such thing as a minor tongue tie, just because the tongue can move doesn’t mean it doesn’t impact feeding and GPs aren’t trained enough to make that call. I’d ask to be referred to hospital anyway for them to check and have their opinion. My girl used to cough and gag a lot during feeds cause of her ‘minor tongue tie’ that was found to be quite severe once checked at hospital. Our symptoms with the allergy couldn’t be missed, projectile vomit , mucus/diarrhoea, red rash on face and chest which spread to body, constantly uncomfortable and screaming during and after feeds. If it is true CMPA we noticed a different baby in a week, and things gradually got better over the course of 6. I stopped using prep machine as my girl had severe reflux especially after using. Also because we tested the hot shot and it was coming out at 65 so not hot enough at all to kill bacteria in formula xx