Infant Gaviscon

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DS is three weeks old and has just been diagnosed with reflux. Our doctor prescribed Infant Gaviscon, saying we should start with that to see if it helps. I'm slightly confused about how to administer it, though, and would appreciate any help:

1. I am EBF. It says on the packet not to give more than six times a day, but DS feeds A LOT more than that. If I stick to only six times a day, does that mean that he will still suffer with the feeds where the dose is missed (assuming it even works when given), or is there some kind of build-up effect? Would it be better to give half a dose each time, to take it up to twelve times a day? Is it OK to "overdose", if it works, or does the sodium content make that dangerous?

1. The instructions say that if BF then it should be given with water and prepared just prior to use. GP advised that I could mix it with breast milk, though. Can I, then, prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge? Or should it still be prepared just prior to use? Does it need to be mixed with 15ml of breast milk (as per the instructions with water), or is it OK to mix it with less? (I'll be syringe-feeding DS the mixture.)

1. Unrelated to Gaviscon - I swore I would never use a dummy, but have read that it may help with reflux babies. Right now I'm prepared to try anything, as DS is utterly miserable and thus so are we. Does anyone know if a dummy really does would help to alleviate his pain? I don't want to introduce one if there's no evidence to suggest that it helps.

Thanks for reading - apologies if all this has been covered in other threads, but lack of sleep has rendered my search skills useless.

Glad you got your ranitidine, lunatic. Let's hope we both start seeing some good results soon!

it tastes foul- it's peppermint flavour in an alcohol suspension

Ranitidine caused my DS to have runny poos. Why do you think he's deyhdrated? has he had fewer wet nappies/ no tears when crying etc?

PS he always had runny poos on ranitidine, but it didn't seem to harm him.

I saw your post and had to reply after a two and a half month battle with feeding issues due to my little ones reflux. I had the exact same issue with Gaviscon- he fed more than 6 times a day plus sometimes only for about a minute and was confused as to whether I should give it for every feed even if a short one. Plus for every feed I would have to go over the recommended dose. I also had issues with syringing 15mls each feed to my little one- making feeding time even more unpleasant for him.

Apologies if Im repeating previous posts but here goes.....

From my personal experience here is what I would reccommend and believe me I tried everything....I would suggest you go to your doctor and say you believe gaviscon to be unsuitable as your child feeds more than 6 times a day and you would rather not put sodium in your little ones body and request some zantac. Zantac (rantidine) neutralises the acid in your babies tummy and from experience is the most remarkable medicine for reflux. Your doctor will need to prescribe according to your babies weight and you must must must check with the pharmarcy that he/she has calculated the dose right as they are the experts in dosage. If you notice the medicine working for a while and then stopping you maybe need a dose increase if your child has gained weight.

There are others such as Domperidone- however this is more an anti sickness medicine (altho worth a try if zantac isnt for you).

Although the Zantac stopped my littleone being in pain/discomfort at feeds, he was still feeding very little and I found changing my diet improved this dramatically- nothing else seemed to help. Have you considered trying to stop your dairy intake? (if you are breast feeding?!)I noticed this mentioned in a previous reply. I took calcium supplements and cut all my dairy. I had soya milk, cheese and yoghurts & read the back of everything I ate to ensure I totally cut dairy. It made a difference within 6 day, although it can take up to 3 to see a difference. My little ones feeding improved so so much it was a radical change. I would reccommend giving it a try as dairy intolerence can be the cause of your childs symptoms and giving zantac a try. I think gaviscon is only suitable if your child has one bad/sicky feed a day- its too difficult to use for a reflux baby!

Good luck- Reflux is a so difficult for mums- make sure you are getting the support you need from your family and HV xxx

p.s I would definately reccommend using a dummy- it will increase your childs saliva production and really help in digestion. Not to mention in terms of sids, using a dummy is safer!!