Let me know your questions and concerns about reflux

[Reflux Mom]

Hello!
Let me know your questions and concerns about reflux. I am the mom of two reflux babies. They are older now but they taught me so much!
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
www.refluxmom.com

[Hollyadmin]

Thanks so much Jan!  I'm not that knowledgeable about reflux, despite being knee-deep in the fussy baby stuff. Did you speak with that reporter from the Globe and Mail?  You would have been the perfect person!

In your opinion, is reflux over-diagnosed by doctors? Do you have thoughts on this research study? http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/120/5/946

[Reflux Mom]

Hello Holly,
I did see the article and the study that supported it. It does seem that more babies are diagnosed with reflux and it may be on the rise. The medications do decrease the acid and that often brings pain relief. However, it seems that motility medications are better at addressing the underlying problem for infants- better than acid suppression medications. Unfortunately, there is not a really good, safe motility medication option for babies at the moment. The best treatments for uncomplicated reflux are home care: positioning, holding upright, small feeds, special diet and thickening feeds for excessive spit up and vomiting. If there is a great deal of discomfort, pain, fussiness and consequences such as aspiration, poor growth, breathing problems, apnea, etc a much more aggressive approach, including medication is clearly indicated. It is a fine line for everyone in between.
I do worry about parents who are told their baby "just" has reflux and they spend night and day caring for their baby until their arms ache and their brains are mush for lack of sleep. I think we need a better approach and certainly more support to parents and caregivers for the tremendous burden of reflux because it does take its toll on the entire family.
I hope the future will bring more support to families, better diagnosis and better treatments.
Jan

[civano]

I have a question. If you've given Prevacid solutabs to your babies...what did you find the best way for administration? Some days are better than others when those darn pink tiny little beads stay in my DS2. I've used the oral syringe and dampened the pill and pressed it against the cheek until it was mostly dissolved (bringing out some of the beads when I've pulled my finger out of his mouth). Some days he just spits some of it right back up. Giving little ones medication can be so frustrating. Thanks in advance.

And do you have any suggestions or advice that helped your little ones when it came to reflux?

[Reflux Mom]

Hello!
The solutab wasn't available when my reflux babies were on Prevacid and other PPI's. I have heard about some issues with dissolving the tab. Just as you have found out, dissolving it in water and using a syringe often leaves some residue. Placing it in the cheek can work but sometimes it gets trapped and come out in the drool and spit up later. If this is happening every time you are giving the medication, it might make sense to talk to the the doctor about having the medication compounded into a liquid. This can be done at the pharmacy. The downside is the medication isn't as stable when it is compounded and may become inactive after a few weeks. That is why the solutab was developed. If you are noticing some left over beads and residue here and there, it should be ok.
In terms of general advice on the care and keeping of your baby with reflux-I am full of advice and ideas...that is why I wrote Reflux 101. Let me know your questions and concerns. It seems that feeding and sleep present the biggest challenges. Not to mention comforting and keeping the medication down.
The good news is that you and your baby will survive the reflux. There were many days and long nights that I did not think it would be possible to survive but I did. And best of all, my reflux baby is a thriving, active kid with not outward signs of her struggles as a baby.
Take care and let me know what is on your mind.
Best wishes,
Jan

[Reflux Mom]

Hello! It can take a few days or weeks for the stomach to recover from a virus. I often give my children probiotics after a stomach illness or antibiotics to improve the gut flora. If the symptoms persist beyond a week or two, you might want to check in with the doctor.
Jan

[abbyColicRemedy]

My 16 month old has had reflux from 3 weeks of age.  Zantac wasn't enough so we put her on Prevacid starting at 3 months old.  It was a godsend.  In the last 6 months I have been working to get her off of it and have found a combination of probiotics and a Chinese Herbal remedy called Quiet Treasure have made it possible to get her down to once a week doses of Prevacid.  Her doctor says once a week should be meaningless but if I don't give it to her, she starts getting fussy again.  I should let you all know that I am an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist so I am very comfortable with Chinese herbs.  I got Quiet Treasure from a company called Energetix and it is very safe for children, with a dosage specific to a child's weight.  If you have any questions, let me know.  This summer was a much happier summer than last year!