Reflux Advice

Hi C.,
My daughter had significant reflux which she did not outgrow until 18 months old. Her doctor was going to wait until 18 months and if it didn't stop she would then do an endoscope to look at the sphincter muscle. Thanksfully we didn't have to do that.
We didn't change much, just had rice cereal in her milk to "weigh it down", and avoided foods that would caused hearburn, such as tomato sauces, etc.

Not much help, but be patient. Most kids do outgrow it.

K.

Hi-

we had lots of reflux issues too.
At 9 mo, our pediatrician recommended we stop the Ranitidine (baby Zantac) because the "juicy burps", etc, seemed to be over, and told us they thought his fussiness was more of a behavioral issue at that point. After lots of failed attempts at trying to use behavioral approaches, at his 12 month check, she told us that although MOST babies are done with reflux by a year, some aren't. They increased his dose to the high end of the acceptable dosage for his weight and it made a HUGE difference and he FINALLY started eating more, sleeping through the night, and gaining weight by about 14 months. We have also used probiotics, which also seem to help with overall digestion too. For us, it didn't make any difference what he ate: breast milk, formula, whole milk, or any kind of table food, as long as he had medication with it. we also figured out if we gave it with some fruit juice in the syringe, it didn't taste so bad and he didn't spit it back at us. our guy is 15 mo now and we've just now started to cut back to just one dose at night, but seems he still needs the night dose or he wakes up crying within an hour or 2. so glad he is more comfortable now and everyone sleeping better!! good luck!

My daughter has grade IV the worst it can get. Got dx as an infant; after having an upper GI & swallow study. She is now 7 and still has it (AHHHH..... Know you did not want to hear that). BUT...... it is managable. I am up at this unwicking hour because she just woke up and puked about an hour ago..... Do not get distorted though. Your son just made a year. Give it time. You are just changing his diet. Give his body time to adjust... Place a pillow under the head of the matress, it does help. Keep him on the meds and give his body time to adjust. The one year mark is not a magic window and it goes away over night. Reflux if healing on it's own happens slowly. You can try some of the natural stuff if you want. Just be sure to discuss them with your Peds first. Give it time and celebrate the tiny steps. I would not panic yet..... I would limit his meals before bed and be sure to feed him at least 2 hours prior to bed time. If it continues, consult a pediatric GI doctor. We love ours... Can not answer about the milk thing as my daughter is allergic to milk and we have known since 6 months so she does not have it.

C. - have you thought about taking your little one to a chiropractor? I have known quite a few parents with infants with GERD, and the chiropractic help gets them to "grow out of it" quicker. You have to be a strong mommy, though, and not think s/he's going to break him when the adjustment is occurring. =) Good luck!

C.,

There is a product called Florify made by Melaleuca. It maintains healthy flora in the digestive tract.

I have used it along with many others. There are NO SIDE EFFECTS!!!!! Also, For children several teaspoons of the of the Melaleuca tea warmed up before betime has been abosultely a God sent.

Raising the head of the mattress where the child sleeps also help with gravity at bedtime keeping the food down.

If you want more info, please let me know...

The products have kep me in remission and off medications for over 5 years!

Best wishes!

J.

My son has the reflux problems as well. And was started on meds when he was 6 months old. Now that he is 3 he only has to taken on a needed basis. So yes the kids do out grow it for the most part.
I would just make sure to feed the little guy sitting up if you can and eat slower.