I am breastfeeding my 4 month old who has reflux. He is on Zantac, which has helped a lot. He hardly spits up at all anymore. I started taking a fish oil supplement and a fews days later, my baby started spitting up again. Now, I know that reflux has peaks and valleys, so I am just wondering if the fish oil caused the spitting up, or if it is just a peak in his reflux. Has anyone else taken fish oil and had a reflux issue?
The fish oil I have is Barlean's and it is pharmaceutical grade / ultra purified. I got it at the natural food store. I opted for the supplement as opposed to eating more salmon and tuna because I thought it would be safer. I did not take it yesterday or today, and my baby hasn't spit up. I think I will wait one week and try taking it again. If he has a reaction, then I guess I will know if it is actually the fish oil. I am hoping that it isn't because the fish oil has so many good qualities.
I would recommend trying the Krill oil instead they say it's supposed to be better than fish oil. See if that makes a difference.
Hi, A.S.:
Fish oil is hard to digest. It is a possibility for your milk carrying
a ingredient that will cause the baby to spit up.
check the web at:
www.enzymedica.com
to see about an enzyme to help digest the fish oil.
Just a thought.
D.
maybe try switching to a flax oil supplement and see if that helps?
Hi AS,
Make sure whatever supplement you are taking is pharmaceutical grade. Some people shop at Walmart, GNC, etc and think they are getting the same thing as a good supplement sold somewhere else. For te most part, you get what you pay for. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe in your area, shop there. I take one of the highest quality fish oil supplements but I get it online.
My two cents.
M.
What we learned from Children's Hospital about Zantac is that it makes reflux worse in infants and its benefits only last 10 days before the child/adult starts to become used to it and it no longer works. I took fish oil while BF'ing and my son got it as well as a supplement - it didn't increase his reflux (I'm not saying that it won't increase your son's reflux, just typing from example). I would stop taking the supplement for at least 2 wks and see what happens. Maybe analyze anything else (have you been eating more dairy lately, etc). Good luck!
You should switch to Krill Oil supplements for your Omega 3 intake. Our family takes a brand called K48 Plus and it is great. No fishy burps and it is actually 48 times more potent than fish oil so you are getting a much higher benefit from it.
Message me for more info on it.
I took Fish Oil Softgels during my pregnancy and I definately noticed more burps than usual, not reflux. So it could be it's causing him reflux from drinking your milk.
I had AWFUL burps with the fish oil in my prenatal vitamin. SOoooooo gross. I am SURE you have asked your pediatrician, but I would make sure it is safe to take these while breastfeeding. This is probably a dumb question, but do the fish oil pills have mercury in them? If it isn't necessary, I would stop taking them until you finish breastfeeding.
be careful with green peppers,broccoli,as well as the fish oil. I take it and sometimes I burp and taste it. I do not have reflux but I know friends that have breast feed and some of the above mentioned foods are culprits for gas. I think they would also irritate the reflux.
Well, fish oil often gives the person who takes it "fishy" burps. You'll see on some bottles of it, "Guaranteed not to cause fish-tasting burps!" I've had great luck with Nature Made Fish Oil -it doesn't do it to me. However, I've never had a reflux issue except when pregnant. I'm not sure as something getting filtered into your breastmilk that it would actually cause reflux, but you may want to drop it or try flax oil for a week to see if it stops.
I have reflux, and fish oil caused me more issues, especially if I missed my medication or ate one of my triggers foods, so it just is not worth it for me. I would call your doctor and ask if it is a good idea for you to take them right now, given the reflux.
I have to smile though, I took it because of a cholesterol issue, but it seems like fish oil can cure everything these days...from asthma to corns and calluses to jock itch (kind of like Blue star ointment!) Why doesn't it cure reflux too ;) I just find it amusing.
I hope he feels better soon!
M.
