O.T. asks from New York, NY on January 31, 2008
Formulas/treatments That Work Well for Babies with Ger/acid Reflux
I have a 3 week old daughter that was just diagnosed with GERD/acid reflux. I am trying to get recommendations on formulas that are better tolerated by babies with GER. For now, the dr has me sitting the baby up for a half hour after she eats and giving her 0.5 ml of Maalox after each feeding. We just started this so I don't know how it will work, but next week we will change the formula - the dr had her on similac alimentum, which is really expensive and perhaps not necessary. Any recommendations on treatments, what to do to make her feel better, formulas, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
So What Happened?™
As of 02/05/08 - the drs put my DD on ranitidine twice a day, along with burping often, keeping baby upright after feedings, a wedge in the bassinet. I pray it'll alleviate her pain and discomfort so that she can start enjoying feedings again. We're leaving her on the alimentum formula for now.
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A.J. answers from Albany on February 01, 2008
My son was diagnosed with GERD at 1 month. The dr. recommended putting rice cereal in his bottle of Nestle Good Start formula. He was also prescribed zantac. His screaming and crying eased up I assume from no more pain. However he did spit up frequently until 10 months.
I was breastfeeding him, but he couldn't tolerate my milk. He did much better on the formula.
A.
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A.J. answers from Albany on February 01, 2008
My son was diagnosed with GERD at 1 month. The dr. recommended putting rice cereal in his bottle of Nestle Good Start formula. He was also prescribed zantac. His screaming and crying eased up I assume from no more pain. However he did spit up frequently until 10 months.
I was breastfeeding him, but he couldn't tolerate my milk. He did much better on the formula.
A.
1 mom found this helpful
J.V. answers from New York on February 01, 2008
We had the same with our son although probably not as bad. We also tried alimentum but our son didn't like the taste. We went back to Similac Sensitive (lactose free) and he's used to it now and is fine. I think my son just grew out of acid reflux as he's developed more. Good luck. If you want tips on burping, I have them. :)
J.
1 mom found this helpful
M.N. answers from New York on February 01, 2008
My son was diagnosed with this same affliction and we kept him on Enfamil Lipil with Iron, once he started his medication he kept regurgitating no matter what.. we tryed 4 or 5 different expensive formulas and different gentle for baby formulas and all had the same result for us.. Just see how the baby responds to the medicine and try a normal over the counter formula..
N.H. answers from New York on February 03, 2008
Try another Dr. I used Dr.Lerner from Robertwood Johnson he is at 1 Worlds Fair Dr. in Sommerset off Easton Ave. He always offered safe healthy options. I used Good start products for our 1st born but the best is always mothers milk. You can pump and that will help get the flow going if you are not already breast feeding. If you can not afford a pump try registering with WIC they can help you get one for free and formula to. Maalox dose not sound good for the baby try health food stores for alternatives and even web MD will have lots of options.Try putting a wedge under the baby while sleeping to help keep in a more upright position this helps with the reflux and to help prevent the risk of SIDS this is a tip I got from the apnea clinic as well as Dr. Lerner Dr. Rocapaccini is also a great Dr. in his office and they are both parents. Good luck and Congratulations MOM!
N. H.
I am a 33 year old 2 time Mom my 1st born was 8lbs. & on a apnea monitor for 1st 3 months he is 7 now and just fine, my 2nd born was 12 lbs. yep and he got stuck coming out natural and suffers from a injury from that to his left arm but you can hardly tell he also had head to toe ozzing eczama that took 6 months to clear up he screamed all 6 months and ripped all his hair out but he is also fine now. Being a 1st time mom and getting pregnant with a 9 month old just after 9/11 during the anthrax in the mail thing it was a emotional struggle but as with everything God brought us through and he will do the same for you and your child.
Y.S. answers from New York on February 04, 2008
My daughter also had GERD and we used Zantac 3 times a day for almost 6 months (she was diagnosed around 2 months). I was resistant at first to giving her medication - and on such a regular basis. But...it made such a difference. She used to scream and cry after feedings, and once she was on Zantac she was a completely calm. She still spit up a lot more than most babies (she would often do the projectile thing), but it didn't seem to cause any pain. We did breast and bottle and used the Dr. Browns bottles to reduce the gas intake during feeding. It seemed rough at the time, but now she is almost 2 and it is sort of a faint memory! So good luck - hope your little daughter is doing well soon.
J.M. answers from New York on February 05, 2008
O.,
WIC can help cover the cost of the formula if that is what she needs. I am not sure what your income is like, if you are a stay at home mom on 1 income most likely you will qualify. My daugher was on the Enfamil Nutramigen and with a script from the doc they covered it. It is the equivalent of the Similac alimentum. At first the WIC checks cover all of it! But as she gets bigger 9 cans of powder just isn't enough. But it is ok when you only have to buy a couple of cans a month. Don't be afraid toask for help! If that is the formula that works for your baby then stick with it. Good luck!!
T.P. answers from Buffalo on February 07, 2008
When my son was a baby, I used Nutramagin. It is made to digest faster because the protiens are smaller. My son was very collicy and this helped. No more spit up and less gas.
N.F. answers from New York on February 01, 2008
Hi O.,
My son had a little reflux when he was a baby. What we did was hold him upright for a half hour or sit him up at an incline after feeding, to help him digest the milk before we would lay him down for sleep. We never used any medications. After a few months, it was not an issue anymore. I think that babies digestive systems are delicate and need help adjusting to the new milk. Also, do you think you are over feeding her at all?
Take Care
God Luck:)
N.
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