Any mom with acid reflux baby and are taking medicine?

duynguyen51 · June 2015

My 6 weeks old did an ultrasound on Friday and his doctor said he has acid reflux. He prescribed Zantac and said to give it to baby until he is 6 months old. I'm hesitating because he's a baby and already getting prescribed to take medicine for this long. Is it even safe? I just don't feel comfortable giving him med. unless it is really necessary. If he don't take the med would it harm him? DS was really fussy at first which is the really why I asked DOctor to do an ultrasound to see if he has acid reflux, but he has been less fussier lately. DS spits up sometimes like once every few day, so it's not like at every feeding. Urg FTM, I don't know what is best. Anybody with baby that is on Zantac and how your baby react to it? Any suggestions or tips on what works for baby with acid reflux.

nursej519 · June 2015

My LO is on Zantac and tolerates it well. It tastes awful, so I mix it into her bottle.

I don't know specifically about babies, but in adults with GERD, the acid is what causes the pain, and that acid can actually damage the esophagus if not treated.

Kye042 · June 2015

Our doctor have this to us as our baby was gassy and they said the medicine would line the baby's tummy and aid in digestion. It made a little improvement after a few weeks but then we switched formula and saw a big improvement so we stopped Zantac.

Jenn2128 · June 2015

3 of my 4 babies have had bad reflux and have all been in Previcid (Zantac, axid and nexium were all tried and didn't control it well enough) The acid can damage their esophagus if left untreated as well as cause them pain and GI issues.
Zantac is the first drug commonly prescribed when diagnosed with Reflux and is perfectly safe for them. 6 months would probably be the minimum they would be on it...My DD3 was on Prevacid for 2 years, DS3 was on it for 16 months and my littlest DD4 is now on it at 6.5 weeks old.
If your Dr. can see the reflux on an US, I wouldn't hesitate giving it to him...Zantac isn't very strong and if they continue to have reflux issues, they often end up on stronger, just as safe meds like Prevacid , which like I noted above was an absolute lifesaver for the 3 of them.

sdrhodes12 · July 2015

Our LO is on Zantac and it was helping but still had a very fussy baby. The doc said to try an infant probiotic with ZAntac and it has made all the difference! You can get the probiotic at a whole foods/ organic earthfare store

joeyswife7714 · July 2015

My 2 month old is on Zantac and I give her infant probiotics. She's so much happier, and only has bad gas days every two or three days. Idk which is working or if it's both combined, but anything is better then watching her struggle and knowing I can't really help her. This is the only way we can.

duynguyen51 · July 2015

How do you know if they are suffering from bad gas?

duynguyen51 · July 2015

sdrhodes12 said:
Our LO is on Zantac and it was helping but still had a very fussy baby. The doc said to try an infant probiotic with ZAntac and it has made all the difference! You can get the probiotic at a whole foods/ organic earthfare store

How long your LO been on Zantac and do you know if it harmful to our baby?

duynguyen51 · July 2015

nursej519 said:
My LO is on Zantac and tolerates it well. It tastes awful, so I mix it into her bottle.

I don't know specifically about babies, but in adults with GERD, the acid is what causes the pain, and that acid can actually damage the esophagus if not treated.

Dang that's what I'm afraid of, but taking that medicine for that long is safe? How long has your lil one been on it? And how long he/she have to be on it? I'm just worry the medicine will do harm to them if taking for months and months.

duynguyen51 · July 2015

Kye042 said:
Our doctor have this to us as our baby was gassy and they said the medicine would line the baby's tummy and aid in digestion. It made a little improvement after a few weeks but then we switched formula and saw a big improvement so we stopped Zantac.

Oh wow! What formula you used and what kind you switched to?

duynguyen51 · July 2015

Jenn2128 said:
3 of my 4 babies have had bad reflux and have all been in Previcid (Zantac, axid and nexium were all tried and didn't control it well enough) The acid can damage their esophagus if left untreated as well as cause them pain and GI issues.
Zantac is the first drug commonly prescribed when diagnosed with Reflux and is perfectly safe for them. 6 months would probably be the minimum they would be on it...My DD3 was on Prevacid for 2 years, DS3 was on it for 16 months and my littlest DD4 is now on it at 6.5 weeks old.
If your Dr. can see the reflux on an US, I wouldn't hesitate giving it to him...Zantac isn't very strong and if they continue to have reflux issues, they often end up on stronger, just as safe meds like Prevacid , which like I noted above was an absolute lifesaver for the 3 of them.

Thank you so much for the information. So your babies are perfectly fine from long term use of these med?

auburnmamma · July 2015

DS1 was on axid for months before switching to prevacid. DS2 has been on Zantac for a week.

Your doctor wouldn't have prescribed medication for your baby if he didn't think it was necessary. If you are having problems trusting your pediatrician over reflux diagnosis and medications, I suggest you find a new doctor.

kkdb14 · July 2015

LO is 5 weeks and has been on Zantac for 5 days now. Mine told me she could be on it for quite a while and assured that it was perfectly safe. I and both of my sisters were on it too, and we all seem fine. I don't think your doctor would prescribe something unsafe, and if you think that little of them, maybe you should find one you trust.

It's not stopped spit up in any way shape or form, but it does help her discomfort and fussiness. She doesn't look and sound like she's in pain for 4 hours a night anymore.

kt1244 · July 2015

My LO is taking Zantac too. She no longer projectile vomits, but still spits up. Is that common? I'm not sure how to know it's actually working or if she needs a different medication. I mean she seems fine and isn't fussy. She still has a lot of gas and spits up.

She's also on Enfamil AR. We have tried gentlease, similac alumentum, and nutramigen. I probably jacked up the spelling, haha.

The AR really stopped the projectile vomiting. It just hasn't stopped the spitting up. Which, I know babies spit up. Hers is just pretty frequently. Anyway, thanks for asking about this. I was curious too.

nursej519 · July 2015

Our doctor said he Zantac doesn't stop the spit up, just makes it less acidic so it doesn't hurt them.

blairdavis99 · July 2015

Yes, Zantac stopped most of my DD's projectile vomiting but not the spit up. Since she doesn't seem uncomfortable, I don't see any reason to change things up to try something else.

kt1244 · July 2015

Do you all have your LOs sleep in a crib? My doctor was very adamant on her sleeping at an incline. I'm afraid to have her move to the crib from the Rock and play.

sdrhodes12 · July 2015

duynguyen51 said:

sdrhodes12 said:
Our LO is on Zantac and it was helping but still had a very fussy baby. The doc said to try an infant probiotic with ZAntac and it has made all the difference! You can get the probiotic at a whole foods/ organic earthfare store
How long your LO been on Zantac and do you know if it harmful to our baby?

She's been on Zantac for 3 weeks. The probiotic 1 1/2 weeks. The doctor stressed that it's very safe and it's over the counter for most people but liquid form is prescription. They also start you off on a low dosage. The milligrams can be adjusted. We are on 1mg 2 times a day. She HATES it, even got it flavored and still doesn't like it but I'll take a little fussiness over being fussy the whole day and it being uncomfortable for her. The probiotic is a powder and I don't use bottles everyday so I make a paste and rub it in my nipples at the first feeing of the day.

duynguyen51 · July 2015

sdrhodes12 said:

duynguyen51 said:

sdrhodes12 said:
Our LO is on Zantac and it was helping but still had a very fussy baby. The doc said to try an infant probiotic with ZAntac and it has made all the difference! You can get the probiotic at a whole foods/ organic earthfare store
How long your LO been on Zantac and do you know if it harmful to our baby?
She's been on Zantac for 3 weeks. The probiotic 1 1/2 weeks. The doctor stressed that it's very safe and it's over the counter for most people but liquid form is prescription. They also start you off on a low dosage. The milligrams can be adjusted. We are on 1mg 2 times a day. She HATES it, even got it flavored and still doesn't like it but I'll take a little fussiness over being fussy the whole day and it being uncomfortable for her. The probiotic is a powder and I don't use bottles everyday so I make a paste and rub it in my nipples at the first feeing of the day.

I'm so glad to hear that it is a common thing and that it's safe, now I feel a bit better about putting DS on it. Thank you:).

duynguyen51 · July 2015

kt1244 said:
Do you all have your LOs sleep in a crib? My doctor was very adamant on her sleeping at an incline. I'm afraid to have her move to the crib from the Rock and play.

I heard so many good thing about the rock and play. Did you have good exoerience with it? My doctor advised me to prop his head all the time including feeding time.

duynguyen51 · July 2015

nursej519 said:
Our doctor said he Zantac doesn't stop the spit up, just makes it less acidic so it doesn't hurt them.

Good to know thank you:)

duynguyen51 · July 2015

kkdb14 said:
LO is 5 weeks and has been on Zantac for 5 days now. Mine told me she could be on it for quite a while and assured that it was perfectly safe. I and both of my sisters were on it too, and we all seem fine. I don't think your doctor would prescribe something unsafe, and if you think that little of them, maybe you should find one you trust.

It's not stopped spit up in any way shape or form, but it does help her discomfort and fussiness. She doesn't look and sound like she's in pain for 4 hours a night anymore.

Yes I an actually going to find another doctor, I never felt a great connection with this one. He has good reviews so I chose him. But now I think he's too old (66 yrs old) he is not good at explaining things and not good at making me feel at peace or confidence in what he is telling me to do. I'm looking for another doctor right now. Thanks for the information:)

jmorneau09 · July 2015

I've heard of people saying that the meds don't stop the spit up...but for my guy it did. Most of him spitting up was because of him gaging on the acid. He still spits up maybe once or twice a day but it is a tiny bit, which is a far cry from the forceful projectile vomiting that was happening after every feeding. My guy has been on the meds for a month now. We had to go without for 2 days last weekend. ....mommy error....and by the end of day two you could tell the difference he was uncomfortable, gaging, and spitting up again during and after every feeding.

kt1244 · July 2015

duynguyen51 said:

kt1244 said:
Do you all have your LOs sleep in a crib? My doctor was very adamant on her sleeping at an incline. I'm afraid to have her move to the crib from the Rock and play.
I heard so many good thing about the rock and play. Did you have good exoerience with it? My doctor advised me to prop his head all the time including feeding time.

I love it! She likes anything that swings or rocks and the incline is perfect. She never spits up in the Rock and play after feelings. Plus, I can have it close by because it doesn't take up a lot of space.

mamajama3 · July 2015

@kt1244 we put two folded towels under one side of our bassinet to elevate it and it worked like a charm! You may want to try this. I still love the rock n play for daytime naps though.

My DD has been on Zantac and it definitely stopped the painful arching and crying in pain- we will continue to use it as I notice if we skip a dose she's in pain and arching again. I researched it and it appears to be not too risky of a medication.

kspinks7 · July 2015

My Lo started on Zantac at 6 weeks and is doing so much better. It has made a world of difference with he reflux.

As for being safe I can say my brother had terrible reflux (he was on Zantac, bathanacol and had a cardiac monitor) as an infant. He is now a healthy 24 year old so I trust that it is safe for my baby. She is no longer in pain from the acid and that is most important to me.

duynguyen51 · July 2015

kspinks7 said:
My Lo started on Zantac at 6 weeks and is doing so much better. It has made a world of difference with he reflux.

As for being safe I can say my brother had terrible reflux (he was on Zantac, bathanacol and had a cardiac monitor) as an infant. He is now a healthy 24 year old so I trust that it is safe for my baby. She is no longer in pain from the acid and that is most important to me.

Omg thank you. I hope my baby get relief soon too. I decided to give it a shot, I hope it work soon. He just took his first dosage (.4 ml) earlier and doctor said to give it to him 3 time daily. How long does it take for you to see the difference? Thank you so much for sharing this with me.

blairdavis99 · July 2015

I saw things get a little bit better after 3 days or so and then about a week and a half before we saw the full effects.

Jenn2128 · July 2015

Absolutely...they are 10, 7, 17months and 6 weeks. No issues from long term use at all, 2 of them were on it for almost 2 years, the benefits of the medication were tremendous for them.
We also use the Rock n'Play for the incline and has been fantastic, u wish I had it with my older 2 when they were little!!!

Good Luck!

duynguyen51 · July 2015

Jenn2128 said:
Absolutely...they are 10, 7, 17months and 6 weeks. No issues from long term use at all, 2 of them were on it for almost 2 years, the benefits of the medication were tremendous for them.
We also use the Rock n'Play for the incline and has been fantastic, u wish I had it with my older 2 when they were little!!!

Good Luck!

Thank you so much:) DS started his first dose last night, I can't wait til he feel better. Which rock and play did you buy? I saw so many different kind when I went to Baby R Us, I noticed one is automatic rocker and other is manually. Are there any other difference?

duynguyen51 · July 2015

blairdavis99 said:
I saw things get a little bit better after 3 days or so and then about a week and a half before we saw the full effects.

Thank you:)

borntorun17 · July 2015

Kye042 said:
Our doctor have this to us as our baby was gassy and they said the medicine would line the baby's tummy and aid in digestion. It made a little improvement after a few weeks but then we switched formula and saw a big improvement so we stopped Zantac.

Which formula helped your LO

kristaelaine86 · July 2015

My EBF LO has been having Tummy issues since birth. Putting her legs up in pain, extremely gassy, mucous/frothy stools. Will not let me lay her down for even five minutes , only sleeps on our chest. I suspected a milk allergy or reflux. However she rarely would spit up. I also have an intense let down so I felt maybe it could be attributed to the air she is swallowing when she's gulping the milk. This week she started choking and gagging and heaving and the vomit picked up. The pediatrician ended up admitting her to the hospital, they think she had a stomach virus but cultures haven't come back yet to confirm. They also think that something else is going on. They started her on Prevacid yesterday and already there seems to be improvement with the gagging, less hiccups and gas after feeding. Her blood work showed an allergic response so they think a milk allergy is likely as well. Just wondering how common it is that she could have both? I have to start eliminating dairy from my diet for six weeks to see how she does. Allergy testing isn't really accurate until three months of age they tell me. They also are considering Pyeloric stenosis. She had an ultrasound two days ago and it was good but they are monitoring it in case the thickness increases. It's a bit of an investigation because all of these things have similar symptoms

Bon2737 · July 2015

My LO (EBF) is on Nexiam for reflux, I haven't noticed an improvement yet but I think it takes a week or two to start working, he started 1 week ago. Anyone else heard of Nexiam?

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