Ranitidine / Infant Gaviscon

[Nobhobs]

My 4 week old is quite sick after feeds, and seems to be in lots of pain with it sometimes. Cries, arches back, grunts and screams etc.

We were prescribed infant gaviscon and ranitidine two days ago, but last night we had the worst night ever with him screaming and straining all night as if he was trying to poop, but empty nappies. So, I believe he's constipated. HV advised we can stop the gaviscon and continue with the ranitidine.

Am I giving up to soon? I've never seen him struggle so much as he did last night and he usually has 7/8 dirty nappies a day so not having any is really awful for him I imagine.

Help please

Is he breast or bottle fed? Constipation is a well known side effect of baby gaviscon I'm afraid, particularly if FF. How many sachets are you giving a day?

The idea of the gaviscon is that it keeps the milk in the stomach, the ranitidine neutralises the acid so it doesn't burn. I'd keep going with the ranitidine and maybe try to see the GP about the constipation?

I agree with above. Gaviscon thickens the milk making it more difficult to throw up but it causes constipation.

He's breastfed.
Is it best to preserve with the gaviscon despite the constipation? Is it likely to settle after a few days? Not sure if dropping it and using solely ranitidine is the best option or not

Persevere**

Is baby putting on weight? Does he have good nappy output? Lots of wet and dirty nappies?

If he does then my understanding is that it's a question of balancing what is the least distressing option for baby. If the constipation is worse for baby than the reflux (and baby is getting enough milk despite the reflux) then it might be best to stop or reduce the gaviscon.

I think you need to chat it through with your GP/Paed. There is also the option of omezrapole if the current things you have been prescribed don't help.

Are there any other symptoms? Anything that could indicate an allergy? Rashes? Mucousy poos?

You could change gavicson to every other feed or every third feed so see if that helps but see your gp
Warm baths can help with constipation and gently cycling his legs but do these whilst waiting to see gp for further medical care. Continue the ranitidine and as PP suggested omeprazole is good if things don’t improve. Obviously as he gets bigger the symptoms of reflux should reduce and adding solids when appropriate helps too
Hope your wee one is feeling better soon

I would leave the Gaviscon for a while and see if he is improved on just the Rantitadine.

Stopped the gaviscon 4 feeds ago and he's back projectile vomiting, and still screaming in pain. I just don't know what to do

I'm sorry it's awful when the LOs are in pain . My DS was similar with the very frequent poops, also breastfed but alot of straining, screaming and back arching. He was prescribed gaviscon which made him constipated. After doing some research I found this to be a very common issue with babies and gaviscon. My LOs issues turned out to be an issue with his back passage and needed surgery to fix it. I would try sticking with the ranitidine and see how you get on. I had to go back multiple times and even stay in the hospital with DS until we were taken seriously, by which time he had a blockage in the bowel. It seemed everything was either reflux or colic according to doctors. Perisist with them if you feel something isnt right. Good luck and I hope your LO is better soon.

My little one suffered with reflux, he was put on gaviscon. I used to mix the gaviscon with breast milk, I'd feed him a little first, then give him the gaviscon then continue feeding him. I also kept him upright for 20 mins after he finished feeding.

Could you try just doing the gaviscon every other feed? It will take a week or so for the ranitidine to have an effect.

Sounds like you need to go back to the GP tomorrow and push for a referral to paeds. The GP can't prescribe anything else for reflux so you'll need to be referred.

If vomit is green then take baby to a&e.