Andersen Baby's Tummy Troubles

Monday, November 11, 2013

Wednesday

Cranky, acidy at times. Hard time napping but I got her to take two. 1130 to 130 and 3 to 515. Spoke to D. Mizell and got Prevacid suspension dose upped to 6mg twice daily.

830 to 130 (5hr)
215 to 415 (2hr)
(I think this is an acid dump issue.)
515 to 730 (2hr15m)
TOTAL 9hr15m

Thursday

Decent naps, but hard to obtain. Slept about 1030 to 12 and 3 to 5, with a quiet time at around 1 when we took Jen to school.
No longer taking suspension well (tastes bad). I want to try otc lansoprazole and see if the doc will prescribe the capsules.

Tried to get down at 9, acid too bad. Slept maybe 30min. Needed Rolaids to get back.
1030-130 (3hr)
215 to 530 (3hr 15m)
No real sleep after that. :(
TOTAL 6hr15m

Friday

Started dosing with the beads in the lansoprazole capsules. Half the beads in the morning and half at night. I want to add in a dose in the middle of the day but her naps today didn't allow me to do so.

Doctor appointment at 10. Had 1 oral vaccine and 3 shots. Slept from 11 to 12, then 130 to 530 (probably because of the shots). Got a dose of Tylenol at around 7. Fell asleep again at 730.

730 to 12 (4hr 30m)
1215 to 3 (2hr 45m)
4 to 6 (2hr)
Fitful sleep until 730.
TOTAL about 9hr15m

Saturday

Small nap from 10 to 1045

Nap from 12 to 1245, another from 3 to 5

Gave lansoprazole at 730, 1, and 7. Big acid flare-up at 815, needed Rolaids liquid to settle down enough to sleep.

Nighttime
845 to 1145 (3hr)
1220 to 420 (4hr)
5 to 730? (cant remember) (2hr 30 m)
TOTAL 9hr30m

Sunday

no good naps, very restless, cranky in the evening. gave lansoprazole at 730, 1, and 7.

Nighttime
930-12 (2 hr 30 m)
1-4 (3 hr)
445-645 (2hr) popped pacifier in, reswaddled
645-8 (1hr15m)
TOTAL 8hr45m

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What's working for Nora

We figured it out so much quicker with this baby than we ever did with our first two. She is now an incredibly pleasant, and dare I say easy, baby. Here's what's working for Baby Nora:

Gerber Goodstart Soothe formula

KlaireLabs Ther-Biotic infant probiotic, 1/4 tsp in morning bottle (work up to this much - start with 1/8 tsp.

OTC lansoprazole capsules, 10mg 3x's a day, changed to 15mg 2x's a day for convenience (this is trial and error; some babies need the three doses so I'd start with that first)

Rolaids liquid antacid (1-2ml) for flare-ups (which are almost 100% GONE!)

Bassinet placed on an incline (front wheels locked and placed inside my husband's work boots, which were then placed on top of a few large books)

Medication information

H2 blockers (ranitidine, Zantac, Pepcid, Axid) are often used for mild acid reflux. They can be given with food. They are VERY weight sensitive and will need to be increased as your child gets bigger. They have a tendency to stop working altogether after a few weeks. A way to prevent this might be not to use it all the time. If your baby needs constant treatment, I suggest looking into a PPI.

PPIs (omeprazole - Prilosec or Zegerid, lansoprazole - Prevacid, Nexium) are proton pump inhibitors. They are, in my opinion, very safe and effective. In babies they are often prescribed twice a day, because younger children metabolize the medication faster than adults. They are available in capsule, suspension, powder (that you make into a suspension) or solutab (which is meant to dissolve quickly on the tongue). Except in the case of Zegerid, these medications are delayed-release, which means they need to be given on an empty stomach (more than 2 hours after the last bottle, usually, in babies) and then 30-90 minutes need to go by before baby is fed. This allows the drug to be absorbed before the acid pumps are activated by food. The drug essentially temporarily paralyzes some of the pumps and limits acid production. H2 BLOCKERS AND PPI'S NEED TO BE GIVEN 4 HOURS OR MORE APART FROM ONE ANOTHER, IF GIVING BOTH.

Liquid antacids (Mylanta Cherry Supreme - discontinued/recalled since 2010), CVS brand cherry antacid, Rolaids) are effective for occasional flare-ups. Aluminum free is the only kind I will give my children. Rolaids came out with one in the fall of 2013 (right in time for Nora) that is easily procured in the United States at most supermarkets. Liquid antacids can cause loose stools because of the magnesium. They are not meant to be used long-term, only until the H2 blocker and/or PPI start working. They are wonderful for the middle of the night when baby can't settle back down and isn't yet due for another dose of her other medication. LIQUID ANTACIDS SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN WITHIN AN HOUR OF A PPI DOSE. THEY CAN BE GIVEN WITH AN H2 BLOCKER WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS.

IF YOUR BABY IS STILL HAVING ACID FLARE-UPS, THEIR MEDICATION MOST LIKELY NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I make no absolute claims on the veracity of my information, nor do I guarantee that you will see the same results we did. Your mileage may vary.