Reflux, Enfamil AR and Ranitidine

[kittypower]

DS has bad reflux he is 6 months now. He is on Ranitindine and Domperidone which seem to be helping a little bit. I mentioned to the doctor about trying Enfamil but he had never heard of it!! So I have spoken to our pharmacy and have now bought enfamil ar for my ds - I am just unsure if I can use it with the ranitdine, if it is going to help or if i should try a hypoallergenic one like nutrimigen instead - any advice to help?? It's all getting so confusing and is really starting to get me down

Hi. (Only a student paeds nurse) Enfamil is for lactose intolerance, ranitidine reduces gastric activity, you should be able to use them together, as far as I am aware they don't affect each other but I strongly advise you see your gp and ask them. Personally, all drugs have side effects so I would want to use as little as was safe to get away with. Nutrimigen is good but it smells rancid.

I've tried to talk to the doctor about it but he hadn't heard of enfamil or nutrimigen!

my ds was put on enfamil ar, gaviscon and ranitidine at 3 weeks when he was diagnosed with severe silent reflux. he is 15 weeks now and on adult meds as the childrens isnt strong enough and we are in discussions with the consultant about operating. we actually went 2 days ago to see her but he has suspected whooping cough at the min so have to wait a month!!! oh fun.

sorry waffled on. basically yes you can use them togther. get your gp to look it up while you are there if you believe your child should be on it aswel. it needs a thicker teat if used with gaviscon as very gloopy. hth.

Thanks Amyjo, do you know if Enfamil AR is also for lactose intolerant babies? I have been reading that reflux is often aggravated by lactose so it is advised to try a lactose free formula.

Hi Kitty

My ds1 used to be on Enfamil for severe reflux. I was recommended it because obviously it is thicker than ordinary formula so it was meant to stay down better.

He was going to be put on Ranitidine but we decided against it and just used the Enfamil.

Like amyjo said, you will need a teat for slightly older babies because of the thickness of Enfamil.

Also fwiw, I would ask your gp to double the amount of enfamil on your prescription.
We went through it so quickly so I called them and asked if they would give us more on each prescription to save trips to the pharmacy.

Thanks - did you guys find that the Emfamil helped with the throwing up. At the moment I can't get the doc to prescribe it at all as he hasn't come across it so i have had to just buy it from the pharmacy

Thanks - did you guys find that the Emfamil helped with the throwing up. At the moment I can't get the doc to prescribe it at all as he hasn't come across it so i have had to just buy it from the pharmacy

Oh blimey!

What about your hv?
It was mine who suggested it and she called our gp who then gave us the prescription.

A bit of a long shot kitty but where abouts in the country are you?
I have 3 tins of Enfamil just sat in my cupboard which your welcome to have. I just think to post its going to be a bit expensive.

That's very nice of you, i'm in south west London. I think I will try and see a different doctor at the practise and see if i can get them to prescribe it

Ahhh no good. I'm North Yorkshire

Keep perservering.
It does make a difference.

Hi

My son is on Nutriprem2 as he was born prem. My GP refused to change to Enfamil when he was suffering with reflux even though he was on Ranitidine Domperidone and Gaviscon. They also refused to give me the cartons of Nutriprem and you can only get it on prescription, telling me to make up bottles in advance... this happened even when we were going on hol...the reason being Enfamil and cartons of Nutriprem eat into the surgery budget too much!!! what a joke so i end up with him suffering (he is 5m now) and making up bottles in the car or wherever we go!!! Nightmare, maybe you should question whether its a cost issue for your GP as they should be able to look it up and prescribe it for you! Oh and yes you can take them together I discovered that in the neonatal unit! Good luck x

my sympathies, its so distressing when you have a baby with reflux, i just wanted to cry as i was at the end of my tether. All the washing (baby clothes and yours), feeding constantly cos they sick up most of the feed they have, its a nightmare. most of the doctors or health visitors just say, "oh well, most babies are sick after a feed". well they are definately not. its completely differant when they suffer with reflux. I tried all of the above mentioned except nutrprem and they are awful (try it), yuk. I would 100% say buy or get a prescription from dr's for Cow and Gate Carobel Instant thickener. pop appx 2 scoops into ordinary baby formula of your choice and it thickens it straight away. it was a god send, and its completely natural too as its made from carob gum. try it and let me know how you get on please. good luck. p.s you will need to order it from the chemist (£3.50ish).