eczema on 3 month old...

It doesnt rain but it pours!
My poor wee girl has been constipated and was recommended by health shop to give her Slippery Elm in a paste which shes had for last 3 days. Yesterday I noticed a rash all over her torso and not sure what it was took her to doctors and said it was eczema... Would this make her more grizzly and upset? Also seeing I have stopped using Slippery Elm will it go away? Its not dry either just lots of red small and large spots

Shes already been unsettled for last two weeks and after seeing lactation conso who thinks it might be Slient reflux I went to the doctor who doesnt believe in Slient reflux and thinks my baby is hungry and I should start her on solids as shes forever pulling off my boob and crying and get herself right worked up. Im at my wits end as I have no idea whats wrong with her
Im way too scared to put her on solids if a tiny bit of slippery elm can do this, she wont take a bottle of formula anymore. I also think my milk supply is heading out the window.... Any help on any of this would be greatful!

Edited by Inlove28

Hugs chick. It's so hard dealing with the little extra things when you are majorly sleep deprived.

You know your baby best, and if you feel that solids is not the answer (I certainly wouldn't go there with my DD who is very similar in so many ways!), then I'd be asking to see another doctor. I got fobbed off on my first visit too, but the plunket nurse is great and encouraged me to go back, and now I've got gaviscon. Not sure if it's helping yet, but worth a try. I made sure I saw a different doctor on the second visit, and mentioned that plunket thinks it is reflux. I was *lucky* in that DD chucked all down my top just as the doctor called us in, so it was quite obvious I had a rather spilly baby
The plunket nurse also said if the doctors fobbed me off again that I could get gaviscon over the counter, it's just more expensive that way. Might be worth a shot if you are comfortable with that? I've been told it can lead to constipation though, so might not be so great for your wee girl.
Have you tried propping her cot up and all the things suggested on cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz?

I have stopped eating dairy and it's made a big difference. It took about 12 days to see much change, and then I reintroduced it after 15 days, and boy did she scream! Have you looked at your diet? (I know not eating dairy is a bit odd for a dairy farmer, but I know I'd prefer sleep to icecream right now )
Dairy intolerance and exzema often go hand in hand, apparently. My girl has exzema too. It doesn't seem to bother her. I have it too, and it doesn't really bother me, other than it's ugly. It can get a bit itchy at times though. I put almond oil in DD's bath if its quite bad.

Hopefully there is something in that ramble that helps, and happy easter!! And for a happy thought, remember this time last year, we were just getting those BFP... hasn't life changed for the better, really?

The other thing you can use (that is mild) for eczema is Aqueous Cream - it cleared up Nathan's eczema behind his knees. Sounds like it could be reflux. That is ridiculous that your dr doesn't believe in it! I think you need to find another GP and try some reflux medication to see if it helps. If your baby was hungry she would be interested in formula after a breastfeed. Popping off is likely to be pain - either from wind or reflux. I too think starting on solids at 3mths is stupid advice.

You poor thing, and your wee one *hugs*.

Here's a few random thoughts on the matter.

Get a second opinion on the reflux. Though they do say silent reflux is blamed for unsettled baby way more often than it's actually the cause.

IMO if baby is extra hungry I'd top up with formula before I started solids early. (I'm pro BF, don't get me wrong, but I had supply issues and DS was HUNGRY)

One of the easiest tests for reflux, is try gaviscon and if it helps you'll know (it's available OTC). BUT it's known to thicken up poo so if your wee one is constipated (or prone to it) it may cause other problems, and as you've got the eczema issue in the mix you may not be sure what's helping/making it worse.

If you want to try formula top-ups but she's rejecting the bottle, could you try different bottle types, and see if she'll take if from someone else if you're not around.

Slippery Elm shouldnt be the cause of the eczema so ya know..... Id be very surprised... its possible I guess... as suggested though- stop it and see. How much have you been giving? Its really good for reflux too btw. And nutritious- not just a yummy looking mucilaginous goopy paste It soothes the digestive tract, well all the soft tissues really, and helps maintain a nice mucousy membrane. Its a very ancient remedy- used for centuries... with babies too.
Did it help the constipation?
We had lots of these issues w Locks too... its so hard when things keep piling up... and sometimes (not always) they are unrelated.
Excema is a reaction... however- it could be to so many things... food, environment, chemicals, even hormones!

I agree your doc sounds a bit 'head in the sand'.
Babies with reflux can definitely have probs feeding- sometimes as its really uncomfortable... to be horizontal etc... the milk just comes up, burns etc

Once their little throats are burned from the acid, its a bit of a spiral.... hard to soothe a throat that keeps getting burnt.
Another reason why slipery elm is good too though.

Thinking back- L's excema started off with the hormone spots type thing- then went into full scale excema all over his face the poor monkey. Its hard when theyre so young and you feel youre trying everything.... we used exmaease about 6 times a day, and then went onto Tui balm once it had cleared a fair bit... (exma ease is all natural- great but $$)

There are other natural things to try for reflux too... if you feel this might be the cause of the feeding prob.
We started L on solids at 4 months- I think he was born to eat food, not drink milk... I could never keep up with demand, and he was miles happier, healthier on food.... I wouldnt have done it much earlier though personally. Everyone is different