Hello Max's Dad,

I understand your concern about trying a more powerful medication without first exploring other treatment options. Medication is often used when there are worrisome complications from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease such as the choking you are describing. It is also used for pain management, poor weight gain or weight loss and respiratory complications. There is evidence that a baby metabolizes the Prevacid faster than an adult so a larger dose is needed. Some babies even need the dose split into 2 doses per day.

If you want to explore non medication treatments here are some to consider:

Diet: Often as you approach the first year, there is an increase in baby food and table food. This may lead to more burping and spit up.

Positioning: An 11 month old may be in constant motion so keeping him upright and quiet after a meal may be difficult to impossible. See if he will sit in his high chair or in another seated positioning -exosaucer? Elevating the bed for sleeping is often highly effective but may be challenging in his age group.

Teething: sometimes teething, a respiratory illness or allergies can cause extra secretions and worsen reflux. My daughters seemed to get all of their teeth at once and the drooling was severe. Of course the reflux was worse too!

Careful eating: He might need baby food/toddler food at one meal, then a break and then a bottle or cup of liquid.

Let me know what you have tried so far.

Jan Gambino

The Reflux Mom

www.refluxmom.com