Just wondering if those of you using PPI's such as Pepcid, Prilosec etc. find that they helped decrease the frequency of the reflux and spit-up as well as pain. Why I ask is that Emma is on 1ml of Zantac 2x per day. It really has helped, especially in the pain area. She is overall a very happy baby, not fussy too often and sleeps well (except for naps, but nightime is good). The worst part is that she spits up on average of 20-25 times per day. Usually by the evening I have changed her and myself 4-5 times and sometimes just strip her down to a diaper and bib! She loses so much milk/food that it is a wonder she continues to grow...yet she remains in the 25th percentile, so ped. is happy. I go back next week for her 6 month check and wonder if I should push to try the PPI's. But, if they don't help to reduce the number of times she actually spits up, then I don't think it is necessary to change, and should just stick with the Zantac. What have been your experiences? Thanks!

Noah never spit up like that, so I don't have a good answer for you, but someone will. I don't THINK they do much for spitting up, but have you tried thickening? Thickening has been wonderful for Noah. I would think that if she is comfortable, she is okay on the Zantac, but don't take my word for this. Someone else will have a more credible answer...

Donna,
Take a look at this: http://infantrefluxdisease.com/medications.htm

It says that PPI's reduce tha am't of gastric acid by a significant amount...it doesn't mention anything about spit up. :-(

Bethy is a silent refluxer; however, I can often tell when she's refluxing. I have noticed a decrease in this since she's been on PPIs (first Prevacid, then Prilosec). I don't know if this can be directly attributed to the meds, though.

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful. Perhaps someone else knows more?

Thanks Maggie and Mary. I don't thicken because she is breastfed (kinda hard to put cereal in my boobs, sorry if TMI!) . But we do often give her oatmeal and bannanas after she nurses. That does help quite a bit, but usually by evening everything is coming back up anyway! It would make sense that if the acid is reduced, then the reflux should lessen, but I thought that is what Zantac did?

I just got back from the doctor today, and he explained that PPI's generally do NOT decrease the amount of spitup (although he said Prevaid might decrease it just a tiny bit) but that PPI's just make it less acidic so it doesn't burn so much. That's their main purpose.

Hope that helps!

You are all correct, from what I know. :iconbigg: I did read somewhere that Prevacid, and PPI's in general, reduce inflammation of the lower esophogeal sphincter, (the valve at the top of the stomach), thereby helping it "close" properly.

So, I would say "no", PPI's are not intended to reduce spit-up. They are to reduce acid. But, one benefit is that they can help to reduce the acid that inflames the sphincter, which can reduce spit-up.

Honestly for us they have not. I mean we'll have a good day here and there but she still spits up quite frequently and I like you its a wonder that she grows at all.
Just and FYI Pepcid is in the same family as Zantac. Prilosec and Prevacid are the common PPI's used in babies.

Sam was a big puker--the only thing that seemd to help some is thickening the formula. PPI's just reduce acid. Sorry--I know all about the frequent wardrobe changes and tons of laundry!

they don't reduce spit up they just make it less acidic so it doesn't cause damage. Less acidic may cause them to spit up less though, so then again maybe it does...

Thanks Maggie and Mary. I don't thicken because she is breastfed (kinda hard to put cereal in my boobs, sorry if TMI!) .

How funny! Oh, and I don't think there is such thing as TMI around here. Don't worry about it!

Have to agree with what Erin posted.. a PPI just measn that when they dpo puke, it doesn't hurt. Matthew was put on a PPI and I was still cleaning up projectile vomitting off the carpet and walls :roll: But he wasn't screaming... which was a bonus.
I think that as they get to move around more, the amount of puke decreases... I know Matthew has had less and less vomitting recently.. which is great ( I don't miss all that cleaning up.. or the smell of puke in my hair... ;-) )

Oh, and I forgot to add.. there is definitely not TMI around here... just check out the constipation board!!! LOL!!!

Yes, I can say with certainty that PPI's (prilosec and prevacid) are not intended to reduce the amount of spit up. In some babies, there may be a decrease because an excess of acid will cause the LES muscle to not close properly, therefore increasing the amount of reflux episodes. However, it generally does not change the amount or frequnecy of reflux and like everyone else said, only reduces pain. If she is content on Zantac, I would stick with that. Prevacid and Prilosec have not been proven to be safe in infants, whereas zantac has. Prevacid and Prilosec should only be used when clearly needed, so that any potential risks in taking the med are outweighed by the need for the med (the risk of erosive esophagitis, respiratory problems and FTT from exposure to excessive acid are all more serious than a potential side effect of prevacid or prilosec-- deeming it worth the risk of using the drug).

My daughter was a puker and it was really annoying really but they do outgrow the puking part even if they don't outgrow the reflux---the usually will start swallowing it once they are upright and have better coordination of their swallow (yuck).