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Motherhood After Reflux | Mum of 2 | UK

@silentrefluxmum

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🙋🏼‍♀️ Chloe, mum of 2
🤍 Honest motherhood & life after reflux
💬 Helping mums feel less alone
🌱 Building a village, one check in at a time
🇬🇧 UK

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One of the questions I get asked most is:
“What helped your reflux baby?”

The honest answer is sadly there wasn’t one magic fix but there were lots of little things that helped. Some made a huge difference. Some made a small difference. Some worked because of other changes happening at the same time.

Every reflux baby is different, so this isn’t a checklist or medical advice. It’s simply what helped our little girl, in the hope it might help another parent know what questions they could ask or options they might discuss with their healthcare professional.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll go into each of these in more detail and share what our experience was with each one.

If you’re in the trenches of reflux right now, I totally understand. If you have any questions you’d like me to answer from our experience, leave them below or send me a message. They might become the next “A mum asked me…” post.

#reflux #refluxbaby #postpartum #motherhoodstruggles #cryingbaby by @silentrefluxmum

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3 months ago

When I think back to those early months, I don’t just remember the actual reflux but I remember how much smaller our world became.

Without even realising it, we stopped making plans, stopped saying yes without feeling stressed, and just focused on getting through one day at a time.

If you’re living that right now, I hope you know you’re not alone. If you’ve come out the other side, I hope this reminds you just how far you’ve come.

#refluxbaby #silentreflux #postpartum #motherhoodstruggles #newborn by @silentrefluxmum

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4 months ago

When I first became a mum, I thought reflux was simply a baby bringing milk back up after feeds.

I didn’t realise it could show up in so many different ways.

Looking back, there were signs everywhere.

Of course, all babies are different and these symptoms can have lots of causes, but I wish I’d known sooner that reflux isn’t always obvious.

If several of these sound familiar, it may be worth speaking with your health visitor, GP or healthcare professional.

What symptom surprised you most when you learned it could be linked to reflux?

#silentreflux #refluxbaby #reflux #postpartum #mumssupportingmums by @silentrefluxmum

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4 months ago

This one is difficult because almost everything that didn’t help was offered with the best intentions.

And honestly, I didn’t always communicate what I needed very well either.

I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know what I needed. I didn’t know how I’d feel from one day to the next.

“Let me know if you need anything” sounds so kind — and it is. But when you’re barely keeping your head above water, sometimes you don’t even know what you need.

I also found it hard when people wanted me to commit to plans when I genuinely couldn’t tell them whether I’d be able to come. Or when cancelling made me feel guilty.

And sometimes being offered a break from the baby wasn’t what I needed at all. I didn’t necessarily want someone to take her — I wanted someone to sit with me while I held her.

Looking back, I don’t blame anyone. I wasn’t very good at communicating it either.

I think I just needed people to understand that I wasn’t being difficult or unreliable. I was surviving a really difficult time.

#reflux #refluxbaby #silentreflux #postpartum #cryingbaby by @silentrefluxmum

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2 months ago

One of the biggest reasons I doubted myself was due to pumping. I could only ever express an ounce or two, and I convinced myself it meant I wasn’t making enough milk.

Looking back, I know pumping isn’t a reliable measure of supply, but I didn’t know that then. I wish I’d trusted my body more and asked for support sooner.

But I also know combi feeding gave our family so much. My husband got to experience feeding her, I could leave the house for a little while without worrying, and feeding didn’t rest entirely on me.

If I had another baby, I’d do some things differently. But I don’t think I’d do everything differently.

I’ve realised hindsight doesn’t have to mean regret. Sometimes it just means you’ve learned.

#breastfeeding #worldbreastfeedingweek #combinationfeeding #pumping #feedingbaby by @silentrefluxmum

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2 months ago

I always imagined what my relationship with each of my children would look like. I don’t think I ever stopped to imagine what their relationship would become.

Somewhere between the cuddles, the squabbles, the laughter and the kisses, they’ve started building something that’s entirely their own. Getting to watch it unfold has been one of the most unexpected joys of having two children ✨

#motherhood #mumoftwo #siblinglove #brotherandsister #raisinglittlepeople by @silentrefluxmum

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3 months ago

A Mum Asked Me…

“How did you cope mentally?”

The honest answer? I’m not sure I really did.

I cried often. I questioned everything. Some days, I just tried to get through the next hour. Looking back, I don’t think I realised how much I was relying on the people around me.

The friends who dropped food at my door. The ones who fed me lunch while I held my crying baby. The ones who cuddled her so I could shower, get dressed or simply breathe for a minute. The ones who text frequently to check in and ask how I was.

I thought I was coping. Maybe I wasn’t. Maybe they were helping me cope. Looking back, I don’t think I’d have got through that season without them. 🤎

#refluxbaby #mumsupportingmums #postpartumjourney #motherhoodsupport #postpartummentalhealth by @silentrefluxmum

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2 months ago

It’s funny the things that catch you off guard when you realise you’re doing them for the last time. 🤎

Making formula has been such a normal part of life for so long - measuring scoops, filling bottles, making sure I’ve got enough with me when we go out. Then suddenly, I’m making the last formula one.

My not-so-little 1 year old is moving on to cow’s milk, and I’m feeling far more emotional about it than I expected. 🥹 It’s such a tiny milestone, but it marks the end of a little part of motherhood that I know I’ll never get back.

So here’s to the next stage🥛

#babytotoddler #motherhood #bottlefeeding #weaningbaby #firstbirthday by @silentrefluxmum

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3 months ago

People often ask me what it’s like having one of each. Honestly, having two children has taught me that the boy/girl part is probably the least interesting thing about them.

My eldest is loving, thoughtful and sensitive. He’s the kind of child who notices when someone is upset and wants to make it better. Then there’s his little sister…

Determined, fiery and with absolutely no intention of being told what to do. 😂

They are so completely different, and I love watching their little personalities emerge more and more as they grow. People often tell me that one day her big brother will look after his little sister. But I have a feeling she’ll be the one looking after him!

Maybe that’s the beautiful thing about having children. They arrive with little pieces of who they are already there, and we get to spend years discovering them.

Children are wonderfully themselves 💫

#children #personalities #motherhood #mumoftwo #siblings by @silentrefluxmum

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3 months ago

One of the questions I’m asked most is:
“When did it get better?”

For us, things started to turn a corner around 5–5½ months old. But I don’t think it was because my daughter suddenly grew out of it.

Around 3 months, I finally accepted that something wasn’t right and went back to the GP. From there, we started working through different options until we found the combination that helped her.

Looking back, it took around another 2–2½ months before we really felt like we were coming out the other side. I know that probably sounds like a long time if you’re in the thick of it right now.

I remember feeling like every day lasted forever. But I promise you, it won’t always feel like this. Keep trusting your instincts, keep asking questions and keep advocating for your baby.

#refluxbaby #silentreflux #reflux #motherhood #postpartum by @silentrefluxmum

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3 months ago

Tonight, as I climbed into bed, I couldn’t help but think…

This time last year, I was lying in a hospital bed with you asleep beside me.

I don’t think I slept much that night. I couldn’t stop looking at you. Counting your tiny fingers. Stroking your soft little cheeks. Wondering who you would become. Wondering what our first year together would look like.

Fast forward 365 days…

Tonight, I’ve tucked a one-year-old into bed. A funny, determined, cheeky little girl who keeps us on our toes and fills our home with so much love.

How did a whole year fit between those two moments?

Happy 1st Birthday, my beautiful girl.

#1stbirthday #newborn #birth #milestones #motherhood by @silentrefluxmum

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3 months ago

365 days ago, we met you. Today, we celebrated you.

Watching you grow this past year has been the greatest privilege. You’ve filled our days with laughter, determination, cheeky smiles and so much love.

Happy 1st Birthday to our beautiful girl 🩷🫶🏼

Look at you 🥹

#1stbirthday #firstbirthdayparty #birthdaygirl #babymilestone #motherhood by @silentrefluxmum

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3 months ago