I’d try it until you get him to the doctor. It certainly can’t hurt and some babies get some relief right away, though it usually takes two weeks to get the full effect.
Are you still giving the Zantac? Most moms here continue giving the Zantac for the two weeks it takes for a PPI to take effect. Just be sure to give them a few hours apart (some say as little as 2 hours, others say 5 hours). I’d go with three hours in between the two drugs.
It may help if you print the http://www.marci-kids.com information about PPI’s and PPI dosing for infants and take it with you to his appt on Monday. Study it ahead of time and have some idea of what you’d like to ask for before you get there. It definitely sounds like he needs a PPI.
Prevacid can be given in packets, solutabs, compounded, or capsules (which you open and pour over applesauce). All but the compounded have to be timed around meals. (2 hrs after eating and then followed up by a full meal 30 minutes later). Therefore the compounded version is most convenient BUT it is not always prepared properly by the pharmacy and can lose it’s effectiveness before the bottle runs out. The way around that is to ask for a two week supply at a time. The solutabs are great; easy to give and taste good, but they do contain some ingredients which sensitive babies may react to (aspertame and lactose). Many babies adapt within two weeks unless they have true intolerances/allergies to these ingredients.
Zegerid is probably the best choice. It does not have to be timed around meals and you prepare it yourself at home so you know it’s done properly.
Prevacid and Zegerid are the most common meds used here but there are others like Prilosec (also a compound so you’d want a two week supply at a time). The important thing is to get a PPI not a H2 Blocker like Zantac or Pepcid. The H2 blockers are not nearly as effective.
Also, rice cereal can cause gas and constipation in some babies. If you feel he needs the cereal maybe try oatmeal. Many of us have used oatmeal instead of rice with good results (including me).
I’d ask for a gi referral and make an appointment right away…but don’t leave without a prescription for a PPI! Then make your gi appt in case things don’t improve. You can always cancel if (hopefully) things get better.
Good luck tomorrow and please let us know how it goes.
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