Hi there,
Firstly, let me introduce myself. I’m Laura, I’m a mum of three, and reflux is something I have Googled approximately 5,647 times in the last few years. My middle daughter had quite severe reflux. It got so bad, that she had delayed weaning at 1 year. My youngest, he had reflux too, and I can still remember the pain of evening and night times.
First of all, I see you. I’m a medical professional, but when my children had reflux, I felt alone, isolated and ashamed that I could not fix them. I didn’t feel listened to, or seen. I felt that the GP just thought I was an ‘over anxious’ mum, and sometimes, I even believed him.
But with hindsight, and I think deep down, I always felt I knew my baby better than anyone, and when I said something wasn’t right, that my baby should not be screaming for hours on end, my concerns should have been acknowledged.
Reflux is tough, there is no miracle cure, and I’m guessing you’ve already spent most nights Googling it, and have become a bit of an expert on treatments and NHS guidance.
I promise you, it gets easier. I promise, as your child grows, reflux does eventually release its hold on those evenings and nights.
But for now? If you are in the depths of it, please know I’ve been there too.
I can so vividly remember, my little boy in his bouncer, and me trying to get him to swallow a strong reflux medication. I needed him to take it. But I also felt so sad and guilty that I was making him take this medicine in the first place. Was I failing him? Was I just too weak?
Because behind closed doors, nobody sees’ the tears, the sheer exhaustion of another night when you’ve had to hold your little one upright. No one sees’ the dread you feel in your heart as tea-time draws near and you prepare for the night ahead.
Take it day by day. Get help where you can. Be kind to yourself. And above all else, please trust your instinct. Because you know your little one better than anyone else. All you can do is do your best for yourself and your child, and please take it from someone who knows, that is good enough, that really is good enough.
If your child is suffering from reflux and you’d like to chat, I’m here. Drop me a message or head on over to my instagram @sleepnurseuk and say hi.
You’ve got this.
Laura x
