Answer: Hi,
I am really glad you have made a doctor’s appointment to get a diagnosis of reflux. This is really important, especially as other conditions can present similarly.

Sleep issues are very common in babies with reflux, and if your doctor does diagnose reflux you may be interested to know that research studies do not indicate elevating the head of the bed is effective in babies. As you have discovered, it is also very difficult to achieve, especially in babies that age.

As you say, sleeping in a stroller is not ideal although I do understand why you are using it, especially as she hates lying down. Unfortunately, strollers are not designed as sleeping products and she should never be left to sleep unsupervised in one. This is not a safe option and I would strongly recommend you talk to your doctor or child health nurse about other options you could try. The SIDS and Kids website at www.sidsandkids.org will have more information about safe infant sleeping.

I’m not really sure what you were asking me about but you may also like to consider calling one of the parent helplines at parenting centres, depending on where you live e.g. Ellen Barron Family Centre in Qld or Karitane or Tresillian in NSW. They may be able to help with suggestions to get her to sleep and may also be able to have you do a day or residential stay to help sort out some of the issues.

Wrapping can be very effective in helping reflux babies (or any baby) settle and so that may be worth looking into. You may already be using this method but sometimes changing the way you wrap can be helpful too. Are you getting support from family and friends? That can also make a big difference to how you cope and it is important that you are able to look after yourself as well.

I hope you get the answers you need and she feels more comfortable soon. I also hope I gave you the response you were looking for.

Glenda