Tips on infant gaviscon please

[WankPuffins]

Dd is 11 weeks, has horrific silent reflux to the point where she’s only taking 1-2oz of milk every 4 hours.

Dr prescribed gaviscon today to see how we get on.

He suggested mixing it and syringing it in to her as a) she doesn’t drink the full 4oz it’s supposed to be mixed with and b) it will thicken the milk and Dd is already on fastest flow teat for normal milk as she struggles with slower flow and variflow and just sucks in air.

Anyway the way it’s mixed it’s 15mils of fluid. Which is half of the fluid she usually takes in a feed.

She just about took it all but it’s so much she’s screaming and won’t take any milk.

I’m At such as loss.

Hi OP I didn't want your post to go unanswered and I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time.
Both my DD's had CMPA (milk allergy) but the symptoms are very similar to reflux so both my DD's were given a prescription formula along with reflux medication.
With mine, both were so uncomfortable especially with DD1 she got to know that the milk was making her poorly so would hardly drink so I know how difficult it must be for you getting your baby to take the gaviscon along with a bottle.
Unfortunately with both reflux and CMPA it's very much trial and error and GP's will always start with the easiest and most economical medication before they will prescribe an alternative.
I would wait a week and diary your baby's symptoms and if you are still really struggling ask to be prescribed something stronger which doesn't require her to take so much fluid.
Both my DD's had ranitidine. DD1 was also prescribed omeprazole and had carobel in her bottles to thicken the formula as prescription formula is so thin.
Reflux medications stronger than gaviscon are generally prescribed by a paediatrician so may require a referral from your GP.
It sounds as though your baby may really struggle to take the amount of fluid the gaviscon requires so hopefully your GP will be sympathetic to giving you a prescription of ranitidine which doesn't require any additional fluid.
I really feel for you because I had a really difficult time with my DDs as babies but once the prescription is right it should make things for you.
The last thing that I would add is be prepared to be persistent with the GP and keep taking your baby back if things don't improve for you as you will get fobbed off.
Sorry am typing this in a rush as about to do bath time but I hope this helps and good luck!

Hi thank you so much.

We actually have a private gp (many bad experiences with the NHS so don’t use them), so I basically pay for what they give me - less chance of being fobbed off.

We agreed to try gaviscon first as she’s so happy apart from the feeding.

I’ve put it in her bottle just now, just to try it that way. It was so traumatic trying to get that much liquid down her. Although in the a hour after she drank 5oz she’s never done that in her life.

That's great news that you managed to get her to take it in her bottle. I hope things start to improve for you.