Infant Acid Reflux-Prevacid

Hi All,

My 11 week old daugher was diagnosed with reflux about 2 weeks ago.  She was on Zantac for about a week, which didn't really seem to help at all.  Now she's been on Prevacid for about 1 week now, and it seems to be helping her discomfort, but she's still spitting/throwing up a lot, and has some of that gurgle sound in her throat still.  Is this still normal or should I still be concerned? I was going to call the pediatrician tomorrow, but was hoping I could get some feedback from anyone who may have some now!
Thanks!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Babies all spit up, some more than others.  If she seems healthy and is gaining weight I wouldn't worry.  My neice had reflux also and took meds until about 8 months of age.  she's nine now, healthy and happy.

[mandymoo1983]

anxiousetobeamum is absolutly right all babies throw up some alot others not at all my first dd never threw up well a year later i no have another dd she is 5 momths well does she throw up she throws up so much at times i didnt think she drank that much but she still wets 8 nappies/diapers a day and is happy and healthy as long as your baby is wetting atleast 8 nappies a day and gaining weight its absolutly normal no need to annoy the pediatrician oh the worries of motherhood im a midwife so yeah goodluck.

[twiceadopt]

my daughter's been on prilosec or prevacid for years. i seem to think it took about 2 weeks before we got the full benefit of the drug, so give it a bit more time. then if she's still throwing up as much as she was before, talk to the doc about trying a different med. also have you had a fluoroscope or other study done to determine physiologically whats going on?

[amy524]

YES!  I have a lot of experience with this!  I am SOOOO excited that she started Prevacid.  It will make her spit up NOT hurt...because the acid won't be burning her on it's way back up.  However, the bad thing is that it does NOTHING to stop spit up.  My Sarah still spits up a lot, but she is HAPPY about it because her reflux is under control.

So long story short...the medicine will not help her spit up, but it WILL make her more comfortable!

Good luck!!!  What dosage is she on?  Sarah started out on 8mg a day (when things weren't working) and we upped her to 30mg a day...big jump but we saw BIG improvement!

I hope things start to get better for you!  I know how frustrated you've been!
Amy

[amy524]

I agree with the previous poster...it might take as long as a few weeks before you see complete improvement but it's a GREAT sign that she already seems in less discomfort.  

After stating that reflux meds DON'T stop spit up, I have since talked to a few moms with reflux babies who said the spit up LESSENED with their kiddos after starting meds...so maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones when the meds kick in fully she won't spit up as much?!  We can hope, right?  

We have to give Sarah's meds out of syringe as well, but I just squirt it into an ounce of formula and she drinks it.  I know a lot of moms who are giving the same meds you are on infantreflux.org.  They've been a great support to me and can definitely offer some advice on the medicine your little girl is taking.  :)

Again, best wishes!
Amy
PS - I totally know the mommy "second guess everything" feeling.  Don't you wish they came with an instruction manual!  :)  LOL.

[DFB05]

Thanks everyone.  I'm just at a point where I'm second guessing myself again.  I talked to the nurse practitioner this morning, and she said it sounds normal, but I just want to make sure.  My daugher's on 8 mg of prevacid, i have to put it in a syringe & give it to her that way (it's supposed to be able to dissolve on your tongue, but not for a baby!).  She's sleeping great at night, but not too well during the day now, she gets cranky and she's been letting out random screams--all of which is probably just being a normal 11 week old, but it makes me wonder if it's still the reflux!

[DFB05]

Thanks for all the advice!  I just signed up on infantreflux.org, so maybe I'll see you there!

[bhav25]

by baby had reflux since 14 weeks, now she is 12 months old and seems to be worsh, has fever and cold and keep coming back every week or two, not sure what to do

[GrandmaDe]

My grandsons(twins) 7 weeks old were prescribed prevacid for reflux, today will be the first day so we will see what happens.  I  hear everyone talking about a pill , my daughter got it in liquid form which had to be called in to a special pharmacy and made up for the babies.  For anyone in the northern jersey area the pharmacy is Town & Country in Ridgewood in case you doctor doesn't know about the liquid form of the medication.  They even supplied the syringe and cap to dispense the correct amount.