Infant Gaviscon...tell me what you know

[smallwars]

First time here, so hope I'm asking the sort of questions you can help with.

We think our 5 week old DS has reflux. He's got a raft of symptoms, including fairly constant vomiting during and after feeding; and I think a lot of vomit.

The doc suggested Infant Gaviscon. I say yes, let's try it, but my DH has suddenly gone very puritanical and doesn't want to give DS anything that may screw up the natural order of his digestive system - we need acid, he says....I am quite anti medication too, and would much prefer to keep it alternative, and drug free, but hate seeing DS discomfort and watching all his food come up.

What do you think about infant G? Harmful? Helpful? Long term effects?

[cleanandclothed]

Well, my DS had it from about 8 weeks. I too was really sceptical, in my case DS didn't vomit much, he just screamed, and I thought, well, babies cry, don't they? But it did seem to make a difference to him. As in he would be screaming and then have 20ml of Gaviscon plus milk and would stop.

He is now 2 (had Gaviscon for about 4 months I guess) and I haven't noticed any digestive problems. He was underweight until 5 months and was also prescribed other reflux meds - I think they only do this for underweight children, or that is what I was told.

Are you breastfeeding? I found the hardest part was expressing for the Gaviscon - I was feeding him what felt like nearly constantly and he was still underweight, and then any spare second I had I had to express - I was shattered for the first 5 months or so. But I was v stubborn about wanting to give him only breastmilk.

I would at least give it a go - you don't have to give it to him all the time but at least try and see if it makes any difference at all.

[arentfanny]

DS had it and was a god send.

[arentfanny]

He was on it form about 4 months until about he was one.

[ArrietyClock]

Have a look at this:

www.babyreflux.co.uk/knowledge/questions/39/Infant+Gaviscon

In essence, it is not absorbed, but simply forms a thick surface on the stomach contents to stop the reflux. It passes straight through the gut and is not absorbed. It doesn't interfer with acid production - the GP would have prescribed a drug from something called (I think) proton pump inhibitors if he had decided to go down that line.

Adult gaviscon is usually the first thing pregnant women try to deal with heartburn. In fact it is so innocuous (but effective) you can buy it over the counter. If it won't hurt a developing baby, I'd suggest it would be fine with a newborn. Personally I'd give it a go.

[toddlerwrangler]

God send. Turned feedtimes prum a puke infested nightmare into a slighly puky inconvienience!

[arentfanny]

Sorry need to remember to say all in one post. It stopped the screaming but not the puking as he was intolerant (midly it turned out) to the enzyme in milk.

[mistressploppy]

We used it from 6wks to about 6mo and it really cut down on the puke. I was breastfeeding but used to make it up with a teeny bit of boiled water and give it in a bottle before each breastfeed. Worked like a charm, AND I used to make up several lots and keep them in the fridge (it says not to do this on the packet but our doc said it was pretty inert stuff and it would be fine.)

Only problems we had was that it made ds a bit constipated but he never had any pain pooing - in fact it just made nappies a lot easier to clean up!

DS is 14mo and the reflux is completely gone, except for VERY occasionally, if coming down with a cold for example. It got loads better after he started sitting up and eating solids, probably due to a combination of gravity and dense stomach contents! The constipation continued for a week or two after stopping the Gaviscon, possibly indicating how long it hangs around in/affects their system?

Good luck with it all

[gaelicsheep]

You don't need to express to give Gaviscon if you're b/f. I used to mix the IG with a little water and give it by syringe after a feed. DD had silent reflux and I think it did help a little, but we stopped using it due to the constipation. She was never truly constipated but at one point she went nearly 2 weeks without a motion.

As time went on after stopping the Gaviscon she became more and more sicky, but I'm pleased to report that at 6.5 months this has almost completely stopped. There is light at the end of the tunnel Gaviscon or not.

[smallwars]

Very nice and helpful responses, thank you all!

I'm not breast feeding, no, that's an entirely different story...

We're using Aprimil...should we also look to change formula?

I'm also hoping that if we use Gaviscon, and it deals with the acid, then it will also help him sleep? He was a great sleeper until this kicked in. Now we're lucky if he goes 1.5 hours and his sleep is so edgy and unrelaxed

[arentfanny]

Stick with the formula and see how you get on with the Gaviscon, we changed only because he was still throwing up. 2.5 years down the line I still remember with a shudder the 1.5 hours between feeds. We also found that him sleeping on a slope helped aswell, we ended up buying a natures nest which was great but try raising the head end of the moses basket/cot.

[smallwars]

Yep, have raised the moses basket at one end. Am winding him like a mad woman, and feeding more frequently but smaller amounts (not entirely sure this makes a difference). Took him to an osteopath who said his diaphragm is very tight (he was a small baby 5lb 7oz) and needs relaxing. He thinks this is causing the reflux and colicky symptoms and once he catches up/grows, it will sort itself out. I'm thinking he's right, and we're doing the exercises to relax him, but that Gaviscon could be used for a short while to support him - the constant puking can't be good for him. And I HATE seeing how he sleeps. Like he's fighting with himself; arms flaying, grunting, rasping, choking a bit. It freaks me out. Can you guess I'm a first time mum?

[arentfanny]

YOu are doing great, give the Gaviscon a go, give it a few days, you won't harm your baby, take a not of my name and PM me if you want to chat. DS was number 2 and he was the complete opposite of DD who was a text book baby, was a shock to the system and I was in tears after 7 hours of screaming one day only to be tod by HV to give him Calpol

[arentfanny]

Sorry just remembered, have you got Gaviscon? Chemists won't hand it over without a prescription so may be worth going to GP.

[granhands]

My DD was prem and had reflux, she was given gaviscon on prescription and it was great. We used it up until she was about six months and then she just seemed to grow out of it, give it a go, you have nothing to lose. Hopefully it will make your LO feel better.

[mistressploppy]

Pharmacists WILL give you Gaviscon if you lie and say it's for an older child and you've used it before

[smallwars]

I went to doctor and got Gaviscon...I told him I thought it was reflux and he handed it over easily, so it's here, it's just a question of whether we use it. Thanks all

[Athrawes]

Gaviscon saved my soul. Screaming everytime he lay down and breast feeding ferociously. I was told I was making him anxious. He would feed for ten minutes then fuss and scream for an hour of me trying to lie him down to bed.
First time we gave him Gav he slept for five hours rather than one and a half. I gave it to him mixed with a little breastmilk - less than the packet says, just makes it less to syringe in - before a feed. He was instantly a different child. Do it and save your sanity.

[katiecubs]

Great experience of it here too - DS used to scream and fidget during feeds bu Gaviscon really helped him take the comfortably.

Also used it no probs with amptamil - just added it to the feed and gave it a good shake - good luck x