Gaviscon infant causing constipation?

[GF91]

My daughter is 4 weeks exactly today. I thought she had colic, but the HV was convinced it was reflux (although repeatedly told me it was so uncommon in breastfed babies?) & insisted I went to the doctors to get her some gaviscon. So I did that yesterday, Dr gave the prescription but didn't really go over it as she was running 45 minutes late. Being under 10lb, she's on the half sachets, to which she's had 3 since yesterday afternoon. She's now hideously constipated & absoloutely beside herself. As I type this we are both crying- I just don't know what to do! She doesn't know what she wants.. Boobie, no boobie, to be flat, to be upright, to scream, to cry, to do both, boobie. I'm at a loss completely. Has anyone got any advice? Please?

 

[fcroxy]

Warm bath, rub/massage tummy, bicycle legs, can get things moving. Maybe a little cooled boiled water? Hope she manages to go soon. Not nice when they are constipated x

 

[fcroxy]

Maybe try not giving her the next dose of gaviscon, see if that'll help. Is she on it because of being sick?

If I remember its two doses a day for gaviscon? I had harper only on one dose a day because of the constipation, it helped with the sickness and still kept her going regular x

 

[JD.Deedee]

Anything that's thicker than breastmilk is going to thicken the poo even formula. Though the thickening effect is to stop it from flowing back up, though if it's colic rather than actual reflux it will have the opposite effect if the vomiting would be on going. What I've seen from other baby's compared to my vomiting colicky baby is that other baby's didn't guzzle milk down and tended to be off the milk because it would be painful making weaning the answer to everything.. With colic it's not and I've seen it and still see it now and again on the rare occasion.

What I'd suggest is to give some cooled boiled water about 3 oz a day. Offer as much breast too as breast milk own it's own is the right consistency.

I can imagine as pro expert in vomiting myself that ongoing vomiting would result in a very sore throat and because of it's negative effect a bit traumatic experience to eat all together, the longer it takes the more digested the food will be and thus the more sour and sore to the throat to get back up(time between feed and the vomit).. Although generally vomiting water is like vomiting silk compared to thick textures or even dairy on it's own.. Having an auto reflex to vomiting when it's continuous at some point will probably add to getting stomach acid in the throat which proper inflames the throat and the gut which is what probably is reflux in baby's... Colic is when the vomiting is down to the harsh wind not being able to be brought up with the initial winding or it even actually hiding after multiple burps..

My little has always been fed on demand and he always had some overflow too, this was always straight after feeding and does not smell sour and is the same texture.

See how you get on with the gaviscon if the constipation is going to be a negative side effect (before I sorted my sons constipation we had one happy day one grumpy day) go back to the GP and express your concerns. Point out that it's your HV who was adamant it was reflux and wanted you to try gaviscon.

 

[GF91]

Thanks for your replies- she's literally just dozed off on her dad so I'm chucking some food down my throat as I've had nothing all day!

She's sick- but she spends 50% of the day with her knees round her ears despite being winded & going perfect. She's worse at night but usually a good dose of infacol settles her enough for her to drop off. She'll often make this shrieking noise for no apparent reason & then a few mins later will fart or burp. I explained this to HV & she said that it was reflux. I argued my case about it being colic but she was adament. I can't give her something that makes her constipated & in pain- seeing her upset with colic is bad enough. Generally she's very good- she's not a screamy cry baby but the last 12 hours have been awful! She's fed on demand but she just doesn't know what she wants! Is she not too young for water? Xxx

 

[littlemonkey]

Constipation is a common side effect of baby gaviscon and the gp should have told you this frankly.

If it's not helping her there is other medication that can be given for reflux.

 

[JD.Deedee]

Constipation is a common side effect of baby gaviscon and the gp should have told you this frankly.

So is anti reflux milk and for example sma is visibly thicker than hipp organic. My post natal physio who I saw for my pelvic floors explained this to me on a lovely chart and how water or not enough influences the thickness of the stool.

 

[Goat]

I had this issue with my eldest and chose to ride out the reflux over seeing her in agony with the gaviscon.
If you're breastfeeding I would definitely check your diet, some foods can cause trapped wind or aggravate reflux for the baby. With my eldest gassy vegetables made her suffer with trapped wind and my youngest caffeine flared up her reflux massively. Cutting these out made a huge difference.
I hope your Lo feels better soon, I found it so distressing seeing her suffer from the gaviscon! You poor things!!xx

 

[GF91]

The same HV has told me to cut out all dairy & soya (strange as soya replaces dairy :-/ ) for 2 weeks and see if that helps? While I'm doing that- it's difficult because since having her ive had no appetite & literally been forcing myself to eat si to limit my diet further is a nightmare!

 

[Goat]

That sounds quite drastic to cut out soya and dairy? I really thought my youngest had a dairy allergy and wanted to cut out dairy because she was so unsettled and then her nappies had streaks of blood and were green. She was admitted to hospital overnight because of that nappy and I asked if they could see if she was allergic to dairy and three doctors told me it would be quite rare for it to make such an impact through breastfeeding. If it did the baby would be crying a lot, being sick after most feeds and dropping weight centiles. They said cutting out dairy could potentially cause other problems. They were right in the end.
I would maybe make an appointment with your GP about it (if you haven't already) just to get another opinion?
As for the restricted diet it was tough but I could eat things like pasta, rice, meat, potatoes but had to keep it all really plain.xx

 

[Ams1985]

I was breastfeeding when my son was diagnosed with silent reflux which then became very un-silent reflux!!! Trying to give gaviscon when you are bf is so difficult and yes he constipation and screaming is terrible. I knew there was an issue beyond colic with my son because he would feed forever, fall asleep. If I tried to lay him flat he'd wake up screaming. Then vomit everywhere, it smelt disgusting a bit like pencil sharpenings and sometimes was cottage cheesy and thick and others very thin and would make my skin red where it got on me. We were prescribed ranitidine instead which didn't really make a difference. Ended up on prescription formula with thickener and omeprazole.

I'd offer a little cooled boiled water if you can get your LO to take it that should help a bit with the constipation and offer bf as they want it. If it is reflux I wouldn't feed more than you have been as it might make it worse, certainly did for my son and then it was a nasty cycle of feed, vomit, scream in pain, feed to soothe burning, vomit etc! X