Mixing Aptamil Reflux and Aptamil 1

[UtterlyConfused111]

First time mum and first time mumsnet log (Although I swear by mumsnet, some threads have saved my sanity).

DD is 4 months old, and has reflux - constantly throwing up which has been getting worse. The doctor prescribed rinatadine (sp?) but I don't want to give her any medicines so I started using Aptamil Reflux around 5 days ago. I was combination feeding till 12 weeks with Aptamil 1.

At first, it worked like a dream - she is a very small feeder and all of a sudden she was enjoying her feed and for the first time finishing her bottles without being uncomfortable. The vomiting stopped straight away, and she was a different baby.....and then the constipation started! I've tried giving her water to ease it, but she won't really drink water. I think the Aptamil AR may be too thick for her....

She's really uncomfortable so now I'm considering mixing Aptamil 1 powder and Aptamil Anti Reflux half & half so the consistency is somewhere in the middle.

I've heard of people doing this (on mumsnet!) but has anyone tried it? What are the thoughts?

Any advice please please please - welcomed. I have been up for what feels like days trying to placate poor cranky baby.....

[LittleBearPad]

I'd give her the medicine she was prescribed.

[CultureSucksDownWords]

I would also give her the prescribed medicine, sorry it's probably not what you want to hear. I would have thought that mixing up the formula powders is not a good idea as they've not been designed for that. Could you try going back to ordinary aptamil and giving the ranitinide a go?

[sphinxster]

My son's paediatrician said not to mix, but like with many things in life there'll be conflicting advice from different professionals and people.

[LittleBearPad]

DD was refluxy, she had gaviscon in her bottles. To avoid constipation we halved the dose

[UtterlyConfused111]

All - many thanks for the response.
I spoke to our HV this morning and she suggested water for the constipation and if that doesn't work to talk tomorrow and maybe switch back to Aptamil and try the medicine.
Fingers crossed; its really nice that's baby's been so happy - albeit temporarily - on the Anti reflux stuff!
Thanks all

[Haveheart]

We were in the same position. Our health visitor suggested giving him one aptamil one bottle a day and the rest reflux. We also give him a couple of ounces of cooled boiled water. He now poos like clockwork!

took us a few different combinations to get to this stage and although he is still abit refluxy when having his aptamil one bottle, overall he is a much happier baby.
We were never prescribed rainitdine though so it might be that you can just use that with aptamil one, we just wanted to exhaust all options before giving him medication. Although we wouldn't of hesitated to give him medicine if the above hadn't of worked.

[BumWad]

Sorry but you are being ridiculous not giving ranitidine. Yes the Aptamil reflux will help keep the feed down but wont reduce the acid which will be making baby uncomfortable and in turn irritating her oesophagus.

I have mixed milks before but only when weaning off comfort milk to Aptamil 1.

Have you tried infant gaviscon? DS now 8 months is on ranitidine and infant gaviscon, which seems to be working well

[BumWad]

Oh I also find the ready made bottles of Aptamil are quite good for constipation

[UtterlyConfused111]

Well, I'm not one of those people who is against medicines for baby, the only reason I wanted to exhaust all non medical options first is that baby is already on medication- beta blockers - for an entirely different issue which she has to take three times a day with a feed for the next year. I didn't want to have to add another medicine to the mix, but it is what it is - if it eases the discomfort.
So far she is doing well on an aptamil 1 and AR mix, it has fixed the constipation and she seems ok overall. I'll give it a few more days and if she is not happy, will start her on the rinitadine
Does one need a prescription for infant Gaviscon? And when does reflux typically end? What happens when we start solids?!!

[Monkeymonstermum]

You can buy the infant Gaviscon but don't be afraid to go back to your GP if you want a bit of support or advice about it.
Sounds like you've been through a lot. I think you're being sensible regarding seeing if you can sort it out with the feeds and not need the meds - the beta-blockers are of course different and you've recognised that - and you sound like you're prepared to use the ranitidine if you need to.
Hope things improve, sending hugs. Xx

[unimaginativename13]

We had a baby who was sick a lot. I don't like to label it as anything apart from being a bit greedy! It didn't upset him and I wasn't bothered too much. But the ready made milk is thicker so we switched to that and then introduced a bottle of powdered once a day after two weeks. Solved the problem as it gave him a chance to grow out of it I think.

Baby's can be sick anyway can't they? It's it causing her pain or discomfort? Personally I wouldn't be too quick to start faffing around with a different milk etc

[UtterlyConfused111]

@Monkeymonstermum - thank you, that means a lot. I have been feeling a bit stuck and desperate and not knowing how to cope. DH isn't all that involved a father, and he works long hours so it's pretty much me all the time, and dealing with doctors, hospitals, ECGs, blood tests - and then there was the reflux....anyway, sorry for whinge! That wasn't the point of this post.

Baby has been ok, but still uncomfortable, coughing a lot, arching back during feeds etc, still not feeding properly, and two days ago, a few hours after a feed threw up acidy-vomit again, and kept on doing it. I couldn't see her in pain, so I decided it was time to start the ranitidine.

So started that yesterday! and she seems much happier already, and for the first time in ages actually got to the end of a feed without screaming in pain.

For anyone who has been through this journey of reflux-y baby (and I'm sure this is a well trodden path) any advice on how to best administer the ranitadine? The beta blockers she takes, we give in a syringe three times a day, and it tastes ok, so she has no problem taking them... but the ranitidine tastes foul! Last night she made a face and spat it straight back out...

Any tips?

Thank you all....

[Monkeymonstermum]

OP - sounds like you've had a tough time. Off the top of my head not sure re the ranitidine but I'd suggest you contact the 'medicines information department' at the hospital for advice - it's part of the pharmacy department and they will specialise in advice on administering medicines. They can liaise with their paediatric pharmacist for advice if they need to.
They may say mix with a bit of expressed milk but best to ask and check.
Xxx

[Monkeymonstermum]

PS if you can't whinge on the internet then where can you?! Sounds like you are coping remarkably well!! Xxx

[Mrsmulder]

We had a similar problem when dd was little. If you think the consistency helps then you can get something called carobel from your GP which is basically a thickener. You can alter the amount you put in to get the right consistency.

In the end though, we just put up with the vomiting. Dd was happier on formula with nothing added and was gaining weight, she didn't seem to be bothered by the vomiting at all. She finally stopped at around 9 months!

[BumWad]

Hi op!

I can totally understand where you're coming from, no wonder you didn't want to start the ranitidine. DS was 8 weeks prem and was on 3 sets of vitamins plus ranitidine and infant gaviscon it used to be a pain in the bum trying to administer them all. (Obviously not as crucial as the beta blockers)

I would ask the pharmacist for advice but can you give the beta blockers and ranitidine in the syringe together to make it easier everyday? I always try to give ranitidine atleast 20-30 minutes before a feed, DS hated it at first but he now loves the taste!

As for the infant gaviscon I started giving it at alternate feeds because of the constipation and now I just give it at night. Weaning has also helped, which will be you in a couple of months!

[UtterlyConfused111]

Hi all
Thank you for all the responses, just reading them has made me feel better. I think the combination of AR milk and aptamil one, and rinatadine is mostly working, she still has bad days (she had one today) but overall she is ok, less pain, feeding relatively well, and less grumpy. I don't know what set her off today but she was coughing/choking/gagging at one point as i ran to her bouncer, and then she just threw up. But she is finally sleeping now so I'm going to have a large cup of tea (wine) and take a deep breath and say thank you again to you lovely mums out there who read and responded to my tale of woe...
Xx

[Soph04]

Is it possible to mix and match the Aptamil formula. For example could one bottle be regular Aptamil formula but the next bottle baby has be the colic and constipation formula and can I just alternate between the two? Thank you

[SiouxsieSiouxStiletto]

@Soph04

Is it possible to mix and match the Aptamil formula. For example could one bottle be regular Aptamil formula but the next bottle baby has be the colic and constipation formula and can I just alternate between the two? Thank you

Is there a reason that you want your do that @Soph04?