Does Anyone Have A Baby Who Has Severe Acid Reflux?

Q: My daughter has just been diagnosed with severe acid reflux. Does anyone have any tips on what to do to keep her from spitting up so much? Also, if your baby has acid reflux what has your doctor prescribed for them. Has the medicine caused any weird side effects?

A:I had three of them with severe GERD and also work with babies every day that have it because of my occupation. My kids were put on Zantac and they did fine with it. I could see a major change after the first dose was given. All babies are different and so some respond differently to each medication. I know my kids could not be on Reglan because it caused colic like symptoms and made them cry even more. I also put rice in their bottles, this helps thicken the formula to stick to the babies ribs so that they have less coming up when they have an episode. Enfamil also makes an AR if you do not want to mess with putting rice in yourself. There are also nipples availble with a Y cut in them for thicker formulas. Babies with reflux should be placed on their tummy to sleep because if they are on their back and have an episode tiny particles can go up the esophagus and into the trachea causing apnea or even cesation of breathing. Babies with reflux also should NOT be placed into a swing, car seat, etc. after eating. The position of the baby while in a car seat or swing puts pressure on the abdomen and will cause a reflux episode. The baby needs to be kept at angle (with just the head elevated) for at least 30 minutes. Do not put the baby in a position that will put extra pressure on the stomach, this will cause a reflux episode. The bouncy seats they have out that are at an angle are good to use, as the baby is not acutally in a seated position. Also you should try to feed smaller portions and feed more frequently. Try to burp the baby after every 1 to 2 ounces. My kids would not let me do it they would scream when I took the bottle away and tried. Crying will make reflux worse so if they don't like it don't do it. That is about all you can do and just hope your baby grows out of it. Some babies do not and this will make it even worse when they start on solids, which makes medication even more necessary. I see a lot of cases come across the OR of infants that had untreated GERD and it is just heartbreaking. It really can do a number on the esophagus so if you susptect it get them tested and take all the steps necessary to help your baby be more comfortable.

Does Anyone Have A Baby Who Has Severe Acid Reflux?

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