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Is Ranitidine Advisable For Reflux In An Infant?
Question: Hi
My 5 week old daughter has silent reflux and has just start a small dose of ranitidine 3 times a day. How long will this take to take effect if it is going to help? She was also having 1 XXXXXXX of gaviscon in her milk prior to starting the ranitidine, is it still ok to continue to use this?
Many thanks
My 5 week old daughter has silent reflux and has just start a small dose of ranitidine 3 times a day. How long will this take to take effect if it is going to help? She was also having 1 XXXXXXX of gaviscon in her milk prior to starting the ranitidine, is it still ok to continue to use this?
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
Burping is essential.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Babies have a low muscle tone especially at the junction of the food pipe and stomach. This increases the chances of reflux. Most often it is considered accceptable and not a cause for concern. It does not necessarily need to be treated with ranitidine and gaviscon. Proper burping will ensure that the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration.
Whether you want to continue the medicines is upon your discretion. It will take time for the reflux to go as the muscle tone will not develop in a day. Proper burping is the key.
Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest and could aggravate various problems including reflux.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Burping is essential.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Babies have a low muscle tone especially at the junction of the food pipe and stomach. This increases the chances of reflux. Most often it is considered accceptable and not a cause for concern. It does not necessarily need to be treated with ranitidine and gaviscon. Proper burping will ensure that the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed. All you need to do is to hold the baby head end elevated for this duration.
Whether you want to continue the medicines is upon your discretion. It will take time for the reflux to go as the muscle tone will not develop in a day. Proper burping is the key.
Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest and could aggravate various problems including reflux.
Feel free to write back.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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