Big amounts of medicine are making DD2 (7.5mths) sick - suggestions please!?

[PurpleLostPrincess]

I'm just dashing off to do the school run but thought I'd post quickly...

Long story but DD2 has had reflux so is used to having ranitidine at each mealtime. She has recently been put on lactulose as she is NOT allowed to get constipation (will explain later!) and 8-10mls three times a day seems to be the right amount. The consultant said to give her 10ml three times a day but it was too much and made her too loose so I've experimented and found the right amount through trial and error.

Anyway, we always used to do medicines before mealtimes but what with there being so many, its putting her off her food so I've tried giving it after but it just makes her sick. Have tried putting it in her food or milk but I swear she can taste it as she refuses it.

Am getting really down about this now - any suggestions would be great! Will pop back in a few hours to explain more...

Cheers in advance, PLP xxx

Have you tried halving the dose and leaving a small gap (10 mins) in between the two halves?

Yes, funnily enough, I only have 5ml syringes so it happens that way naturally anyway. We give it bit by bit every time... Thank you for the suggestion though

Just to explain, she was born with an imperforate anus which meant she didn't have a bottom hole to poo out of! She had a colostomy at 3 days old, heart surgery at 9 days old, reconstruction at 14 weeks and the colostomy reversal at nearly 6 months. We're seeing the specialist next week for a follow up and my mum has said that perhaps they can prescribe her with something stronger which wouldn't mean such a large quantity. I did ask at the chemist if they do lactulose in different strengths but apparently there's only one Does anybody have any knowledge of anything stronger than lactulose?

I think you'll have to go and have a chat to the specialist and ask if there's anything else that she can have.

Yes, I'm thinking that too. In the meantime, we'll just have to struggle through! I might avoid getting her weighed as I suspect she's not really putting on much weight with all this. They weigh her when we see the specialist so that will be all telling really!

Thanks anyway

Oh I do feel for you. Unfortunaly Lactelose is only one strength, you could do 5ml 6 times a day and really leave it a good time beween the dosed.

The reason lactelose is good is that it is a stool softener not a lacative, therefore, it keeps the poo moist for them to use their own muscles to get it out, rather than a laxitive, which can take away that motion.

I understand that you need to make sure that the poo does not get too hard, as it effects their bowel muscles.

How old is she?

we had similar issues with DS1 and we manage mainly with food now

Thanks She's 7.5 months old now. I'm trying to give her stuff with prunes in it and weetabix. I've heard that figs are really good too - any experience of them? What other foods do you use to keep things 'loose' then? (sorry if tmi!).

OK top tips

No stewed fruit, as it increases the pectin and bungs them up
No bananas and bread as that also does it to
Lentils are great
any veg is good.

It helps to do a food diary and then write her motions in it usually takes about 8 hours to follow through.

Different things work for different babies.

I know that strawberrys are good for DS2, I try to ensure that he gets his portions of fruit and veg.

Any pulse is great as they are full of fibre.