9 week old with Reflux - Pls help

[AvasMama]

Hi I'm looking for some advice my daughter #2 has recently been diagnoised with reflux after a series of tests. However she has been suffering with this condition for many weeks now. The paedtrician has prescribed Zantac 4 times per day and has advised it will take about a week to "work". In the meantime I'm finding she is having very short sleeps during the day (15 - 20mins) then wakes up screaming. 98% of the time when she is awake she just cries and cries. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to help settle her? will the Zantac help with this. With a toddler in the house as well I can't hold her 24/7 and the family is really starting to feel the pressure. Please help.

[RISA]

Hi Natasha,
Thanks for contacting our organisation. Unfortunately, yes, it is very normal for reflux babies. Reflux can be a very difficult condition, which by the sounds of it, you are very aware of. Most people don't understand that though, which also unfortunately means you aren't likely to be getting a lot of support or understanding from family or friends.

All children seem to respond differently to different treatments, and some children will respond almost immediately with Zantac, while others can take even a couple of weeks. If you don't find it makes much difference, then don't hesitate to go back to the doctor, as sometimes it's a bit of trial and error to get the dose right, the medication itself right, or even the combination of medications. In case your doctor didn't mention it, Zantac is a weight related medication, so as she puts on weight, she will most likely need to have her Zantac increased to maintain the same control.

There are some things you may be able to do in the meantime. One of them is keeping her upright as much as possible throughout the day- along with feeding her upright and keeping her upright 1/2 hour after a feed. While this is often extremely difficult with a toddler around, you may be able to resort to using a pouch of some sort. This will at least give you your hands free, but may provide a lot of comfort to your new bub. Perhaps using a baby swing would help too, and when she is old enough, a bouncing seat of some sort, if she still has reflux then.

Did the dr advise you to use Mylanta or Infant Gaviscon at all? If so you may be able to use that to help her settle and sleep, or at other times when she is most distressed. If he didn't, it may be worth asking him or your pharmacist for permission, or to find out what dose you need ot use. If so, it needs to be given away from other medications, and can often be better if kept in the fridge, as it seems to be more effective that way.

Other things you can do is burp her more frequently during a feed; avoid any tight clothing around her waist- which includes tight nappies and tight elastic pants; avoid cigarette smoke; and avoid putting any pressure on her tummy, so no scrunching her up. This can also flare reflux, and it may help to limit any car rides if possible, as car seats often make things worse because of the position bub has to be in.

If you find, after a week or so, taht the Zantac isn't helping, there are other medications that may be more effective, so don't hesitate to go back to your doctor. It is important to always trust your instincts, and do what feels right. You may also find using a dummy is helpful, as it encourages saliva, which is alkali and can neutralise acid, and it also encourages them to swallow, which helps wash away any acid that may be sitting in the oesophagus.
Are you breast or bottle feeding?

I hope that gives you some ideas. It is really important that you also look after yourself, even though, as mums, we tend to put ourselves last. In order to be able to care for your children the best you can, you have to look after yourself too. Do you get any support, any practical help? Try to enlist family and friends if necessary, though you may need to explain reflux to them first.

Don't be afraid to comfort her when she needs it, even if you have people telling you not to ("you'll create a rod for your own back if you pck her up all the time") but do what feels right, and at some point, it truly will get better.

I hope that helps, and if you have any further questions or concerns please dont hesitate to ask,

Glenda