Does anyone out there have a baby with GER?

Question

My little guy seems to have several of the symptoms of GER...anyone have a baby diagnosed with it? If so, what helps?

Answer 1

You are probably talking about GERD and all three of my kids had it. With my first the doctor said oh it's just colic but at one of my trips to the hospital in the middle of the night the nurse said it is probably GERD and to demand a milk scan to be sure. I guess GERD is usually misdiagnosed as colic because doctors just don't want to deal with it. The symptoms are very similar and GERD can only be diagnosed positivly with a milk scan. My kids were all put on Zantac, well my first was put on Reglan first but that just makes it worse because it makes them have very bad gas then they are cranky becuase of the gas. I was also told to use a litte rice in the formula to help it stick to my babies ribs and help keep it down. I've heard a lot of people on this board tell say don't use rice but if it's GERD then you will be fine. If rice was so bad for a baby to have then why does Enfamil make AR (added rice) Formula? The only thing bad about it is that it can cause excessive weight gain if you use too much so don't do it unless medically necessary. I saw one person on another question say that her baby had it and she did nothing and it just went away at about four months. No, get it checked out and treated because even though it may just go away at 4 or 5 months it also may not. It doesn't always go away and if left untreated it can do major damage to the esophagus and even cause breathing problems.

Answer 2

Try to make sure you're feeding her in a semi upright position. Make sure not to keep her in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after eating. Don't play with her, just let her sit and chill for a little while, after eating. You could also invest in a reflux sling, so she doesn't choke so much while sleeping. Reflux will get better with time. Most babies outgrow it by 6-9 months old. Give the Zantac some more time to work as well.

Answer 3

Are you referring to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?

GERD may be difficult to detect in infants and children. Symptoms may vary from typical adult symptoms. GERD in children may cause repeated vomiting, effortless spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems. Inconsolable crying, failure to gain adequate weight, refusing food and bad breath are also common. Children may have one symptom or many — no single symptom is universally present in all children with GERD.

It is estimated that of the approximately 8 million babies born in the U.S. each year, upwards of 35% of them may have difficulties with reflux in the first few months of their life. A majority of those children will outgrow their reflux by their first birthday, however, a small but significant number of them will not outgrow the condition.

Babies' immature digestive systems are usually the cause, and most infants stop having acid reflux by the time they reach their first birthday. Some children do not outgrow acid reflux, however, and continue to have it into their teen years. Children that have had heartburn that does not seem to go away, or any other symptoms of GERD for a while, should talk to their parents and visit their doctor.

Answer 4

If it's really GERD, nothing but meds or surgery helps. My daughter was on zantac & reglan for it, and it certainly reduced the amount of wall washing & laundry i had to do, but it never totally went away.

There are thicker formulas that you can feed him, if he's bottle-fed.

Answer 5

my son was put on liquid zantac for GERD, however it's not helping, in most cases it works, however they are changing him to another type of medicine that is stronger. with liquid zantac i had to give it to him twice a day. you can contact your doctor and they can help with a prescription if he does have GERD