How to Give a Baby Zantac to Treat Reflux

Dealing with an infant with reflux can be trying enough without having to add the hassle of giving him medication such as Zantac. Most babies don't like the taste of medicine, so you need to have a few tricks up your sleeve to give a baby medicine. Keep reading to learn some tricks to making the process as painless as possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Ready the medication. Get your syringe and fill it with the prescribed dosage of Zantac.
2. Lay your baby down on a changing table or other flat surface.
3. Gently open baby's mouth and squirt the Zantac in, aiming at the inside of her cheek. Make sure to empty out the syringe in one swift motion.
4. Trick the baby into swallowing. Once the baby has gotten all the medication in his mouth, quickly blow a puff of air into his face. This will startle him for a moment and cause him to swallow. If your baby takes a pacifier, this would be a good time to offer it, as the sucking reflex will help the medication go down.
5. Comfort your baby.

Tips & Warnings

• Administer the Zantac 30 minutes before feeding your baby. Anything less than that, and you may have breakthrough reflux.
• Keep your infant sitting upright for 30 minutes before and after meals to help aid in digestion.
• Some pharmacies can add flavoring to your baby's Zantac to make it taste better. It naturally has a mint flavor, however, so it may not taste much better with an added flavoring.
• Zantac is weight sensitive, so keep regular appointments with your doctor. Your dosage may change weekly if your baby is going through a growth spurt.
• Always consult with a doctor before beginning any treatment plan.