infant gaviscon

[drinkyourmilk]

Can anyone please tell me how long it takes infant gaviscon to take effect? We only started today but I'd love to have an end in sight! Gp did say that we had to return in a month to review, and that stronger meds would be discussed if necessary.
It's for silent reflux if that makes any difference - so we have pain etc but very little vomiting.
Baby is 3 months BTW, ebf

You are mixing it with the formula?

It thickens the formula so that it stays in the stomach and doesn't go back up into the esophagus so easily. If the esophagus is irritated then it can take a while to settle down.

But it works from the first dose but may take your baby some time to settle down. Are you keeping baby upright after feedings? And during sleep as well?

If your baby is gaining weight in spite of the reflux then a month isn't too long to see if the Gaviscon makes a difference. I know how awful it is though, good luck.

No formula. I'm bf so give in an oral syringe before the feed. Yes to upright after feeds and I've tilted the next2me . I'm starting to sling instead of using the pushchair everywhere too. About 50:50 sling and pchair.
weight gain is slow but OK, generally holding just above 4th centile- but she is starting to chunk out instead of being skinny.

Interesting to know how it works. Does that mean it takes longer for milk to digest? Meaning fewer feeds? Now wondering if it will affect supply.

No, it will not slow down the transit time - that would be a bad thing. You want the milk out of the gut as fast as possible.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things to help healing, it may just take some time for the Internal irritation to settle.

The thing about reflux is that it can resolve quite quickly in infants as their muscles strengthen so muddling through the tough bit can just be a part of it if that makes sense. Hopefully it will resolve quickly for tie baby.

I may be wrong but my simplistic understanding of meds for reflux is;
Gaviscon for vomit (it thickens the milk to prevent it coming back up)
Ranitidine for acid - it neutralises the acids therefore stopping the pain(but does nothing to stop the vomit)

My dd had ranitidine as a)I wasn't bothered by the vomit - she was gaining weight ok b) the pain/discomfort was the bigger issue and c) gaviscon for bf babies is a complete faff

My understanding was that on the whole gaviscon won't help much with the pain of the acid, so if this is your problem I'd be going back for ranitidine asap

On your original question - gaviscon works immediately - it jellifies with the feed in the stomach therefore should have an impact every time it is given

Thanks guys. This is really useful.
I did question gaviscon but she said they would change it if baby was still in discomfort next visit.
We have:- gulping and coughing, excessive hiccups, crying if laid flat -especially after feeds, crying/whinging after feeds, knees up during /after feeding, arching while feeding and can be difficult to feed as she's so fussy at breastfeeding, very smelly farts, generally irritable and fussy. Pain affects sleep mind you - so that could be making her fussy and overtired.
No vomiting, weight gain is slow but consistent, no poo issues - well goes once every 10 days or so but I think that's normal for bf babies.

She only poos once every 10 days? Was that a typo?

I'd be swapping to ranitidine with those symptoms. While the gaviscon might prevent some of the acid travelling upwards from the stomach, it won't stop it all, and it won't neutralise the acid. If it were going to work it would work straight away - the time they've asked you to try it for is a wait and see attitude to see if time/age helps too. It's not a strategy I'd be happy with

Side point - once every ten days seems a long time; I think once every week is normal so it may be that this is fine. But I assume you've been warned about the risks of constipation when using gaviscon

Not a typo. She went this this am so 7 days this time - but yes every 10 days. Very rare for bf babies to get constipated on bm as it contains a laxative. I think kellymom says 10+ days is normal. Friends baby went 17 days and no one was concerned.
Gp didn't mention constipation re gaviscon, no. I'll trial her for a week but if nothing changes I'll go back and ask for ranatidine
Really appreciate the advice, thanks again.

Hi Op
If you are on fb please join this group - I'll try to attach a screenshot
The wise ladies on here will give you loads of advice and support

My EBF baby had silent reflux and was put on Ranitidine and we saw an improvement within about 3 days.

Gaviscon just isn't practical for BF babies.

Plus it's my understanding a baby can only have 6 doses of Gaviscon a day and therefore a BF baby is likely to have numerous feeds during the day/night without any Gaviscon being used anyway and what's the point in that?