Reflux questions esp if you have experience of reflux controlled by gaviscon

[Convex]

Hello reflux experts

Son is 4months and has silent reflux with the odd proper vomity day. I've noticed an increase in reflux symptoms over the last few days, coupled with constant overnight feeding - yawn.

So... He is on max 6 doses a day (2sachets per dose given by syringe as mostly bf) I give these all during the day, roughly between 8am-8pm.

Is there a higher gaviscon dose, or do I need to see gp about getting something else prescribed?

Or, given his age, could this be growth spurt / sleep progression related?

I've booked a gp appt for in a few weeks time but not sure if I should push for a same day appt (I'm with DMC so not easy)

Hoping for others experiences. I suppose I was expecting his reflux to get better as he got older, so this has taken me a bit by surprise!

[Strawbs]

Re the gaviscon it is based on weight, our children are the same age so will assume roughly the same weight and 2 sachets is the max dose per feed, you could try 1 sachet more frequently and see if that works. Reflux gets worse at 4 months temporarily as there is a growth spurt so the extra weight puts pressure on the gut. We need to get these reflux babies sitting up as soon as we can! If you feel it's not working then you can try ranitadine or omeprazole - omeprazole is the best by far but it depends on your gp and what they will prescribe. Regular feeding is also symptomatic of a reflux baby as they eat to soothe the throat, baby Strawbs eats little and often so every couple of hours. Hope that helps x

[Convex]

Thanks Strawbs and also the PMs I got.

I think I will wait for my booked appt as then if it's due to the growth spurt that will hopefully be clear ie things might settle down!

He is rolling and happy doing tummy time so I think I will increase that to strengthen those tummy muscles! Can't wait until he sits up.

[Eliza dolittle]

Have a look at the milk your feeding baby many years ago my daughter was told she had reflux later discovered she was rejecting the milk.

[Belle]

See how you go - if it gets bad in the next few days I'd push for an on the day appt (even given DMC, I've so been there!) - as when it's bad with reflux you just need to feel like you're doing SOMETHING if you know what I mean. With my first, Gaviscon was all we needed - although it didn't stop the vomiting, it did stop the pain - with my second we went through everything until omeprazole did the trick. As Strawbs alludes to, it can be tricky getting it prescribed - it's very expensive and some GPs don't seem to want to do it very readily. My advice based on a v refluxy baby is push, push, push - you know if your baby is in pain so just ask for what you need.

Also agree the regular feeding seems to be for temporary relief of the pain. Poor things. I'm sure you're doing this but I used a sling a lot to ensure my son was upright as much as possible. I also tried one of those reflux cushion things which you can use to safely keep them on their side at night - not sure it did much good but worth a try. It was quite hard to find over here but I noticed recently in France it was sold in baby shops there as a standard bit of kit.

[minder]

Convex, I would speak to your Health Visitor. They can help out with stuff a lot more than doctors who just seem to want to get their slot over and done with.

[Convex]

Thanks everyone.

He seems to be getting back to where we were so I'm glad I waited! Seeing hv today so will mention it anyway.

[wilko]

I just wanted to say that I empathise so much with what you are going through. My second child has had reflux (first never had it) and it was a much bigger deal than I had ever imagined. Ranitidine and Domperidone controlled it, but we had to up the dose to keep apace with growth spurts. It peaked at 4 months and again at 6 months but improved hugely around 7-8 months. Weaning and sitting up both helped. Just wanted to say it WILL get better. Ours is now 9 months and we have weaned her off the medication (first attempt on consultant's advice to stop cold turkey at 6 months was a disaster and made the first weeks of weaning really hard work. We put her back on the meds and waited another 6 weeks then reduced it slowly. With hindsight, I would have waited until she was taking solids regularly and comfortably before reducing/stopping the medication). Am hoping we are now out the other side... There is light at the end of the tunnel but its a real slog whilst you are going through it. Hang in there x

[Convex]

Thanks for all the advice and support. He has it mildly really so we are very lucky.