Reflux & Sleep

DS has got silent reflux and we have tried Infant Gaviscon and he is now on Zantac but we are having HUGE daytime sleep problems and I am pretty sure it is caused by the reflux.
We are able to get him to sleep by being rocked, but when we put him down he wakes up crying anywhere from 5- 40 mins after he is put down. I have tried settling him in his bassinette/ pram but he still doesnt stay asleep, he wakes up making a throat clearning sound or kicking his arms or legs, or crying and once he is awake we have to go through the whole settling process again.
Essentially for him to have a 2 hour nap I am having to resettle him between 5- 8 times.
I have also noticed that about an hour to an hour and a half after his bottle he is waking up in pain and really crying (tears and everything)
I am thinking that the Zantac is not strong enough (we are going back to the Dr. on Thurs), but wondering if there is anything we can do to get him to sleep longer during the day (he does 1 6 hour stint at night, then usually does another restless 3 hours after that).

Its hard isn't it. I found with my DD (silent reflux too) that the only way I could get her to sleep at all was upright on my shoulder, or in a sling. It was incredibly tiring and frustrating because I could get very little done, but it was the only thing that worked.

I assume you've heard all this before, but make sure you elevate the head end of his cot/cradle so he is not lying flat. I also found that DD slept a lot better on her tummy. I never left her on her tummy at night but occasionally if I just had to get something done or if she was having not such a bad day I would put her down on her tummy in her cradle in the family room with me so I could keep an eye on her.

Hi Ali,


I feel for you as I had a DD with Reflux and we were also prescribed Zantac. We went from giving Zantac once a day (which did nothing) to giving Zantac 3 times a day. How often do you have to give your DD Zantac? We were told by our doctor to increase the dosage and the mls when things didn't get better. I have to tell you, it didn't work overnight, it took a few weeks before I noticed my DD sleeping better, feeding better and overall just a happier baby. We were on Zantac till she was about 15 months. Have you been back to your doctor with your concerns?