My daughter was born 5 weeks premature. She is now 9 1/2 months old. She was diagnosed with reflux around 3 months old and was prescribed 1/2 mg of Zantac twice/day. Just about a week ago the amount of Zantac was upped to 1 mg twice/day. It seems as though her reflux is getting worse. At times, when feeding her baby food you can hear the gurgling. When feeding her bottles she will normally take the first 2 oz fine but then it is a fight to get her to take anymore. Her burps are wet and at times she will spit up but more often you can tell she is refluxing and then swallows it. At her 9 month check up she has lost 3 oz in 2 weeks. She currently weighs 12 pds, 11 oz. She only eats a total of 15 - 18 oz per day and baby food now 3 times per day. For the most part she eats the baby food pretty good but not the bottle. She is currently on Neosure, which is formula for premature babies. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on maybe different types of formula we should try? Or any suggestions in general to help increase the amount of food she eats at each feeding to help her gain weight. Thanks
Q: 9 1/2 month old premature baby suffering from reflux--it is a chore to get her to eat!
Hello Meredith,
It is worrisome when your baby loses weight. I hope you have an appointment to check in with the doctor in a few weeks. Maybe if the increased dose isn't improving her eating, the doctor will want to add another treatment. This may include increasing the dose (if she isn't already on the maximum dose) or adding another medication. Be sure to keep track of how often she is refluxing so you can tell the doctor.
Here are some other ideas:
I wonder if you have tried transitioning to a sippy cup for some of the formula. Some babies with reflux (and especially preemies) need to go slow and steady on babyfood. I wonder if carbs and more hypoallergenic foods (potato, rice cereal, sweet potatoes) digest better than acidic fruits (apples, peaches). Is there a difference between thick food and thin food?
Let me know what you have tried so far.
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
Dear Meridith,
First off, I don't know the answer. I am a physician but not a pediatrician. I want to stay in touch with you because your question sounds word for word, what I've been experiencing with my son. He was born 10 wks early at 2lb5oz. I think he has reflux. He has failed zantac after no improvement on it for 3 wks. I hear the same gurgling sounds and low ounces in a day. I have switched to prevacid just 2 days ago. I tried high calorie similac special care 24cal/oz which is extremely expensive and it made his reflux worse. I just stopped it today. I am now going to try either Good start without DHA which one mom suggested or another formula called ?alimentum?. I haven't decided which one yet. I'm going to continue prevacid to see how it works. And, I have started feeding him formula with a spoon mixed with oatmeal and sweet potatoes for flavor. He drank 4 oz of milk yesterday with a spoon. It's very time consuming but on those days when he only takes in 11oz a day, it's what has to be done.
My concern has always been that loud gurgling sound in the stomach which not a lot of moms talk about. Good luck and please let me know if something works for you.
Nan
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