reflux question - meds necessary??

[Emma1979]

hollie turned terrible at about 6 weeks, all the symptoms of reflux, and was diagnosed by dr at 8 weeks... we got the zantac etc and i gave it to her on and off, i wasn't really convinced it did much, and it was yucky to taste, so i felt bad giving it to her... anyways the awful symptoms (screaming, fussiness, pain etc) seem to have died down by about 11 weeks and she seemed like a much happier baby...

now at close to four months, i have found that she is bringing up quite a bit of milk after each feed... possibly it isn't THAT much milk, but it does seem it when you are constantly changing your shirt, and her entire outfit etc... she sometimes spews up even three hours after a feed (watery stuffy).... it has definitely increased from what she was bringing up when she was diagnosed with reflux, but the thing is, it doesn't appear to bother her....

my question is, if it is not bothering her or causing her any real pain or discomfort, do i need to worry about meds? she is gaining weight and is generally happy... it is more of a nuisance with constantly spewy clothes more than anything. just wondering if it is okay to just let things be as i have been doing?

[srv]

Is she on meds now? The meds won't stop the reflux as such but will decrease discomfort associated with it by negating the acid effect. If she's not on meds now and is a happy chucker then its probably not necessary but if she is on them, then they may be keeping her comfortable. I'd check with your doc who started the zantac.

[Kirst11]

my question is, if it is not bothering her or causing her any real pain or discomfort, do i need to worry about meds? she is gaining weight and is generally happy... it is more of a nuisance with constantly spewy clothes more than anything. just wondering if it is okay to just let things be as i have been doing?

If it's not bothering her, and she is gaining weight and is generally happy, I wouldn't stress. I went through this too, and beleive me, I know how much you can worry about it.

Looking back, the biggest hassle was changing her and washing all the clothes that she went through. I ended up having a bib on her 24/7, but she often wet that right through too.

You're doing a great job. Just make sure that you have a good stock of Napisan...

If it helps, they say that they should grow out of it by about 6 months, and my DD did almost right on 6 months. The sphincter/valve just needs time to mature.

If you are really worried, go back to your doc, or to your MCHN for advice, that's what they're there for.

Good luck.

[Emma1979]

srv she hasn't been on meds for ages and seems to be fine...

i think i will leave it as is, if she starts to get upset or show signs of discomfort i can go back to doc for meds etc.... i am REALLY looking forward to her growing out of it!! i also have a bib on her all day long, and it does get wet right though, so i am constantly changing it.

i must be using so much water with all the loads of washing i am doing!!

bring on six months!

[scarlet121]

I think you are doing the right thing by leaving the medications. The medicine like others has said decreases the acid, but doing this is stops the burning feeling in the osophegous, and this is what causes the pain.

But if she isn't crying and gaining well, then it is best to leave it. The medicine will not stop the vomiting, as this is caused because of a weak or immature lower osophegeal sphincter and the medicine doesn't strengthen that so stuff will come up still. But keep an eye on her weight and feeding and if you notice a difference, then you can always talk to your doctor about it.