Attn: Joe De Livera: 7.5 months old premature 30 weeker with acid reflux

Dear Joe,

My son was born prematurely at 30 weeks and have stayed at the NICU for 67 days. He was born 3 pounds and weights about 17-18 pounds at 7.5 months old now. He was exclusively on breast milk via bottle for the first 4 months, then due to multiple mastitis from pumping, we ended the pumping at 5 months. He started on Zantac at around 3.5 months old due to fussiness and arching his back during feeding time.

We first introduced him to the regular enfamil formula but he started having bloody stool. After that we have tried several formula including soy and organic lactose free formula which would either gave him the rash or loose stool. Finally, we found the Alimentum ready to feed last December, and all the symptoms disappeared except the acid reflux.

Also, in the month of December, the doctor switched him to Prevacid 3ml due to extreme fussiness, arching his back, crying, and refuse to drink milk. It seems to work in the beginning, but now the doctor increased his dosage to 5ml since he started fussing again during milk time. It would take him an average an hour to take in 6-8 oz of milk and he drinks 4 times a day. He would drink the first few ounces fine, but refuse to drink the rest of the milk with arching his back, turning his head, crying, kicking his feet, gagging, etc.

I read it from another post that you have suggested the use of Nat Phos 6x for a similar case. I know that each baby is different, and what works for other babies might not work for my son, especially for being born prematurely.

Will Nat Phos 6x helps him with the acid reflux and in getting off the Prevacid? If not, do you have any suggestion for me?

I greatly appreciate any help you can provide. All I want is my son to enjoy his feeding time and not suffer every time when we have to feed him.

Thank you soooo much.