My 4 mo DS has just been diagnosed with reflux and has been put on Gaviscon to try and treat it. We've had it for two days - the vomiting has really eased off and he isn't too uncomfortable after feeds which is great (I'm also keeping him more upright etc to help). However he is now terribly constipated and in addition to his night feed (usually around 3-4am at the moment) he is now waking us at 5.30-6 with his crying as he tries to poo so we are suffering from interrupted nights.
This morning I did a lot of tummy massage (learned a few tricks at baby massage class) which helped him get it all out, but he was in a lot of pain and crying a lot from 5.30-7.30 until he got it all out. All three of us then passed out until 9.15 so at least we got a bit more sleep
How can I ease his constipation while still giving him the gaviscon? At the moment he is in a whole load more pain with the constipation than he ever was with the reflux which he was more stoic about, so I'm almost tempted to stop the medicine if I can't solve it. However his weight gain has been poor and he has a persistent cough due to his sore throat, so although the constipation is more painful it might be a necessary evil for a few weeks until we try and get the reflux under control.
I should add that I'm not giving it to him at every feed - just two the first day then one yesterday at the feeds when he is normally most unhappy and most sick. I didn't want to overload him if it could help just with the bad feeds. So dropping the dosage isn't really an option as that would be the same as stopping!
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Constipation due to Gaviscon - please help!
6 replies
HolidaysQueen · 02/08/2008 09:39
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