A: We used Zantac for our daughter while she had reflux (up until the esophagus matured at 6 months-ish) and had great success with it. I would say that after only 24 hours she showed marked improvement and was much happier. As she grew we needed to adjust her dosage, so if you notice symptoms returning ask your doc if it’s time to re-evaluate the amount she’s getting.
We also had a scrip for Reglan but our daughter displayed some of the very rare but very serious side effects so we took her off of it immediately.
If you are trying to avoid using meds on your baby you can try eliminating dairy from your diet (if nursing) to see if the reflux pain clears up. Sensitivity to the protein in dairy (casein) can be a common problem in reflux babies.
As far as Zantac being the “best,” it depends on how severe the reflux is. Most gentle on baby is removing dairy from mom’s diet and altering baby’s positioning (sleeping on a wedge, etc) to see if that helps. Next would be Reglan. Reglan is a motility med and is considered the “lightest” med because it just helps the baby digest faster, thus clearing the tummy and hopefully alleviating the esophageal irritation and/or spitting. After that, Zantac is considered next “lightest” as it just helps neutralize the stomach acids. After that would be something like Prevacid which turns off the acid pumps altogether. If those things don’t work and there is an extreme case (baby aspirates a lot, is showing signs of malabsorption, FTT, etc) then there are surgical steps that can be taken. Again, that’s only in very, very severe cases.
FWIW, we mixed Zantac and some apple juice in the syringe to make it more palatable. If you have a compounding pharmacy near you, though, they can make it without the mint flavoring that comes standard in the pre-made stuff.
Who thought babies would like mint-flavored anything? Crazy 
Q: Babies with acid reflux using zantac?
My baby was put on zantac at 5 weeks old for his silent Reflux. When can i take him off of it. He is now 14 weeks old and a lot better. Has anyone else had to have their baby on zantac? And when did they stop using it?
A: My son had to stay on it until he was 8 months old. His doctor went through all of the other options before putting him on it, but it made a world of difference. We have a wonderful pediatrician who would call to check up on him every now and then, and I didn’t stop giving it until we had discussed it. I hated seeing the poor guy in pain, and she knew I didn’t want him on meds, so she kept check on him.
Call your pediatrician and ask their opinion. Sometimes the only reason they’re doing better is because of the meds.
Q: Zantac for babies?
I posted a question about my son not eating properly for the past 2 weeks. I went to see another doctor and he told me he had reflux. He prescribed Zantac. I’m really concerned about giving my 3 month old medicine. I know he has trouble eating, he would only eat 3 oz at once compared to the usual 5oz he ate before. Could it be possible to not have reflux for so long, and then all of a sudden at 2 1/2 months develop it? Also, if I keep giving my baby Zantac, will he be on this forever? Are there any other solutions for Acid reflux, such as maybe different formula? The doctor said, Zantac was my best option right now so he won’t be in pain. The thing is he never really spit up with his reflux, he would only turn beat red and cry and arch his back and turn away from the bottle, is that really reflux?
The doctor asked me if he arched his back, and I said yes. He said that is a big sign of reflux, and another sign is when a baby suddenly changes his eating habits, like my son did. That is how he diagnosed him with Reflux. Is that not the right way?
I just got back from his regular pediatrician, and she told me to not even think about Zantac, and basically asked why I would put him on medicine.
So she sent me home with Enfamil Lipil A.R with added rice starch. She told me this should work and not to bother giving him medicine.
The thing with this is, I’m not so sure I want to change his formula. I have switched his formula 3 other times before I found the one for him which is the 4th formula which tried and that is Similac Advance. I’m just scared that I will stop this medicine (WHICH IS WORKING ON THE 2nd DOSE) and put him on a formula he wont eat, and then I would have to go back to the process of getting his system confused and going back on meds and back on old formula.
I’m really upset, and angry, and I don’t know what to do anymore. I need someone to talk to that is going through this.
A: OK breath…if it helps him the give it to him. my son had the same problem. he was born a preemie so most time acid reflux comes with the other concerns. I had to give my son this medication about a month after he came home and it work almost right away. he starting eating normal. we had to change to another type because zantac wasn’t working for him. but rest assure it will help your son! if you decided not to give it to him you should know that you are running the risk of him getting phenomena because the vomit can go into his lungs. and no he will not be on it forever. he will out grow it.
Q: My baby seems to have acid reflux, has anyone tried zantac for babies? My ped has requested a GI check first.?
A: My daughter was given Zantac (prescription – liquid based) when she was a baby. I remember that she ended up sleep through the night a lot better with the stuff, as well as didn’t spit up as often as she did. They also suggested with the formula that she was on to add rice cereal to it. That did tend to help quite a bit as well. She did eventually outgrow the acid reflux. And also she just turned two years old in October.
But, please, I very highly recommend that you talk to your child’s pediatrician first and foremost before giving your child Zantac. As well as take his/her advice, since they do know what is in your child’s best interest.
Q: What has been your expierence with Baby Zantac?
My 3 month old daughter was diagnosed yesterday with Acid Reflux, they gave me a perscription for baby zantac to give her 3 times a day before feedings. For parents who have had expierence with acid reflux, how long did it take for the baby zantac to take effect? Also I read there were no serious side effects but I would like to hear personel expierence good and bad with this medication. Thank you in advance!!!
A: My daughter has Cystic Fibrosis and along with that sometimes comes reflux ( which she got , Lucky her…lol) any how she has been taking it since she was pretty little ( she is only almost 8 mos now) and has done great on it. She hates the taste so we mix it with a little fruit and a tiny bit of rice cereal to make it not so runny. She eats it right up now. My daughter has been on meds that we had to mix with fruit since she was 19 days old so you can give your little girl a bit of applesauce and cereal. If you have any other questions feel free to email me! Mandy
Q: Has anyone given their baby zantac syrup for reflux & found it keeps them awake?
My baby son was prescribed zantac syrup – 1ml per day to treat reflux but I’ve noticed that he’s now waking every 3 hours when he used to sometimes sleep at night up to 6 hours straight. He’s 9 weeks old so wondered if it could be the zantac?
A: Yes, my daughter took it from 1 month to 6 months and it never kept her fully awake but she tossed and turned all night. She always seemed very uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure if it was the medecine or if the reflux was still bothering her. I have had her off of it for one month now(she’s 7 months) and she sleeps 10-12 hours solid at night. I was told at 3 months to start thickening the bottles with rice and that helped some. I hope your son grows out of it a lot sooner than my daughter. The spitting up got really annoying!
Q: Pros and Cons of baby zantac? anyone notice that these drug companies offer most of the info on pros or cons?
Not only are the drug companies driving the reader toward the pro of zantac, i can’t help but wonder what the cons really are…I know my husband is in excrutiating pain if he misses just one pill. most of the natural stores i’ve gone to say its very hard to get off of for an adult, so what would it be like for such a fragile system in a baby or child? Help me with these questions…please!
A: One of my little brothers had terrible acid reflux as a baby, but once we put him on baby Zantac, he did great. His acid reflux cleared up once he hit about 15 months, and he had no problem coming off of the Zantac.
It seems like your husband has some SERIOUS gastrointestinal issues that need better treatment than an over-the-counter antactid medication. He may have some form of ulcerative colitis. I suggest you take him to a doctor. My mother has acid reflux and used to take Zantac daily–she stopped with no problems. Those natural stores are likely just trying to get you to buy their products.
There’s nothing wrong with baby Zantac as long as it’s used appropriately.
Q: Has anyone given there baby Zantac for Reflux? How soon does it strat helping?
I’ve been giving it to my baby for 2 days and he is still in pain. ANy recomendations? When do you give it to them?
A: My son was prescribed Zantac from 8 days old. It takes approximately 7-10 days to give full benefits. He now takes Prevacid…much better!
Q: Does Zantac work instantly for babies?
Okay so I was given Zantac because I think my baby has mild acid reflux. It’s enough to make her fuss and cry all night and day long. But anyways, my baby was just screaming at the top of her lungs and I so I gave her her dose of Zantac, and about a minute after she drank it she stopped crying. does it start working THAT fast? How long does it take to see a difference?
She is allergic to cow’s milk protein so she is on a hypoallergenic formula, and I think it has a probiotic in it already.
A: It is designed to cool and calm on the way down , so in answer to your Q , yes it wirks that quick , as she swallows it it soothes x congrats and best of luck x
Q: Does Zantac have bad side effects for babies?
My 7 month old twin girls are on Zantac for gas and acid reflux but I am not convinced this is a good idea. Did anyone have any bad experiences with it or do you know if it can be bad for babies?
A: It helped for my older son when he was a baby. But it didn’t work for my baby girl. She still vomited using that. But I found out that medicine burns when it goes down the throat. Prevacid works a lot better for my baby girl. She is 1 year old and still on it.
Q: My 3 month old was prescribed zantac for acid reflux… has anyone experienced babies using zantac for reflux?
A: They prescribed that for my niece when she was diagnosed with reflux. I think it’s pretty common practice.
Q: what is zantac and their side effects to my baby?
well my baby brother recently got checked and what we thought it was colic was actually a sensative stomach. we he fed he would curl and cry, in colic babies usually cry alot but my baby brother didn’t. so the pediatrician recommended zantac, she explained what my brother has but didnt say the name.
so is zantac only for babies with acid reflux and what is its side effects
A: My daughter was put on that last year when she was 4 months old. What a life saver! She too had a sensitive stomach and acid reflux. The Dr. also mentioned it takes time for the valve in the back of their throat to open and close normally. So this zantac just seemed to keep everything down. She was on it for 6 months at most. And her valve must have started working right because she out grew it. It’s pretty common I hear. I’m willing to bet that all those mothers years ago that had babies with “colic” really just needed zantac. It really helped my little girl. Smelled like black licorice though! I know their is a zantac for adults too, pill form I think though. My daughter had no side effects and it worked within 24 to 48 hours.
Q: Has anyone given there baby Zantac for Reflux? How soon does it startt helping?
I just started giving it to my one kiddo but he is still in pain and is still throwing up. I’m alwas worried about him choking in his sleep. durign the day i can burp him well and keep him up for a long time before putting him to bed, but he feeds at night too and i just don’t have the energy to stay up for 30 minuts to make sure he doesn’t through up
A: It generally works within a couple of days. It’s not absolute, though. My son slept on a wedge in addition to taking Zantac for months. Make sure to go through with his follow-ups. Reflux is sometimes an indication of more serious GI problems. Your child’s pediatrician should have discussed these concerns with you, however. If he never seems to have the time or doesn’t have a nurse dedicated to answering your questions, it might be time to find a new one.
To the first responder: Of course the child has a prescription. That much should go without saying.
Q: Zantac (Ranitidine) for babies…
My Daughter (almost 3 months) have just been prescribed this for reflux. She is having 0.4ml three times a day. My question is two fold:
1) Do any of you remember how much your child was prescribed at about the same age as my Daughter?
2) When I was pregnant I had really bad acid reflux and felt the constant need to burp (which began really painful) so I was given Zantac/Ranitidine tablets which worked a dream. However, I NEED my Daughter to burp during the day and with feeds as she suffers from GI problems and since starting the medicine yesterday her burps seem to have diminished. Anyone else experienced this or has she suddenly just got lazy with burping?
A: 1. I believe my son was taking 0.3 ml. But he probably only weighed 9 pounds, so if your daughter is heavier that may explain the dosage difference.
2. I always had trouble burping my son, but I never connected it to the Zantac. I think he was like that before he started taking it, but now that you mention it, I’m wondering.
Q: If your baby took Zantac for reflux how long did it take to start working?
My little guy was just started on it today – he is 5 months old and has been in so much pain lately from reflux. I’m hoping it works quickly! Thanks!
A: My son was put on Zantac, well actually Retadin the generic at about 3 months due to reflux, but his dr also put him on a special formula after I was no longer able to breastfeed. It seemed to me that the medicine made a difference within a days time. It is quickly effective I think. Now he is 6 months old and if I am even late giving him his dose you can definitely tell. makes for one cranky baby. But at least I know the medicine is working well. Hope you have as much luck with your little guy!
