Hi Everyone.
My almost 9 month old suffers from GERD. We have it well managed via medication (prilosec and motillium) and a special diet. I've been noticing for a while that his symptoms are lessening so I've started to introduce some of the restricted food. He's doing very well with it. He's handing garlic and onion wonderfully. He can eat normal breads and cookies. He's also managing a bit of butter in his food (for weight gain). He's doing well weight wise. He weighed 19.5 lbs at his 8 month check up. Of course he could gain more per month but that just seems to be his thing.
My question is this, how do we know if we can take him off his meds? By we, I mean his doctors and I. He has an appointment in a couple of days and I'm planning on asking about it. I just wanted some personal experience of other mommies and/or daddies. I haven't tried any new fruits. It scares me. About 8 weeks ago a friend gave him some of her juice (because she is stupid) and he had a terrible flare up that lasted for 3 days. Thoughts? Experiences?
Thanks!
If it's working and he is doing good why stop them now? Is he having any side effects from the meds? He is still young I wouldn't take him off them yet unless you want to start all over again with the meds. These medications work after getting into the system on a regular basis if you stop and start your little guy will have to suffer again. If it's not broke don't try & fix it. Good luck!
The reason he's doing well.....he's on the meds. If 8 weeks ago he was on the meds and had a flare up, what do you think would happen without the meds? (not sure why your friend is stupid either. it's a normal thing to give a child juice. if she didn't know or understand the situation with the GERD, maybe YOU should be the only one to give him food/drink). Good luck with the GERD and hopefully it's something he will grow out of in time. But for now, I'd let things be if he's responding well and the meds are doing what they are suppose to be doing.
Wheat/gluten and dairy/soy are usually the offenders along with eggs, yeast, corn. You don't say if you are breastfeeding or not. I would talk with the doctor and make sure that you keep a food diary, keeping track of everything to see which are the offenders.
The good news is that you are in Brazil which has a lighter immunization schedule than the US, every country does. Do the research and lighten the load, spreading out the shots and deciding if you really need to do certain ones. Here are some great books to read:
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders, by Dr. Kenneth Bock
The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Robert Sears
My DD had severe GERD and was on prevacid for 9 months. It really helped her condition. at 13 months, we took her off and she responded wonderfully. She seemed to have completely outgrown it by that point. I would wait until after a year. I agree with you about not giving juice unless it's very diluted with water. For my little one, her digestive system was very immature and to this day she has major issues with digestion (aside from the GERD). Juice seems to cause her a lot of gas and discomfort and she's almost 2 now! Good luck. I know GERD isn't fun to deal with, but as long as you keep it under control until he outgrows it, you and your baby will be happier :)
Dear Rachel,
Take your son to a classically trained homeopath. There are plenty of them in Brazil. You can ask if they are familiar with the work of Dr. Eizayaga, who was one of the best-known and loved teachers in South America and had great influence. This will get your baby off meds naturally and solve the problem.
Best of luck,
Sybil
My daughter also had GERD, but luckily it was a very minor case. She was actually on the meds until 18 months. She was probably ready to be off the meds closer to 12 months, but every time we would go to wean her off the meds she would get a cold or an ear infection, and it's impossible to tell if they are responding to being off the meds if there is an illness making them cranky! At any rate, I would guess the dose would be lowered slowly until he's off, or if he gets two doses a day, one would be dropped and then you will see how he does. Stopping cold turkey might not be the best idea. I know how you feel though, the meds are expensive and a pain! I wouldn't recommend stopping before 12 months, but you know your child better than anyone so you know if his symptoms are lessening. If your doc says it's okay then I'm sure it's fine. Good luck, I know this one is a pain but luckily he will grow out of it eventually!
Follow your doctor's instructions. Question -- why are you feeding a 9mo old garlic and onion? Sounds like you also need to talk to your doctor about what foods to feed your little guy and when to introduce them. There are so many choices of food out there, why are you trying to introduce restricted foods before he's even off the meds? Even after he goes off the meds you may have to maintain a restricted diet for years, possibly his whole life. Restricted diets aren't the end of the world -- just another thing to cope with. Good luck.
Have you heard of Kangen Water? If you are on the web you can go the www.checkoutkangen.com (this is purely an informational site). to learn about what alkalined, restructured water can do for the health of your baby. All the best--
Just saw my Ped yesterday. My little guy actually managed to gain 1 lb this month!! It’s the first time since his first 2 months that he’s gained this well! His ped said we’re not going to even think about changing his meds until after his 1st birthday. And yes, he does appear to be getting better 