My gp prescribed our baby (at 6 weeks) Zantac for silent reflux and it saved our lives. From the very first dose he was a different baby and we have never looked back.

Now, he is 8 and a bit months old, eating 3 meals a day + 3 or 4 bottles, nearly crawling. A big boy.

And my GP today said "stop the Zantac".

And I'm scared. He was SO SO miserable when he had reflux. And he's so so happy now (he's 2.5ml x 2 daily).

So, what I'm looking for is experience with stopping the Zantac, when did you do it and how did it go .. how do you know when they are ready ??

I'm thinking of just cutting his dose to once a day for a few weeks and see how that goes ......

Well, we haven't cut it yet. In fact, his ped just adjusted his dose for his weight again. But, everytime he's been in we've been able to tell her that we know it's helping b/c if we miss a dose it's a nightmare. So, I think that we'll know it's time to stop it when he doesn't have problems when we miss a dose.
Right now his reflux is getting worse, which I don't understand.
So, I'd say if you cut back to once a day and that goes well for a week, then cut out the other dose and you ought to be safe. I wish you the best of luck.

I was nervous to stop too, but also glad to try to stop at the same time since I wanted my dd off the medicine.
My ped. had told me when my baby starting eating solid foods to try taking her off the zantac. If she seems fine, great, otherwise put her back on it. I did for one day and realized she needed it again. Then about two months later (around 7-8 months old), I tried again and she was fine. I've never gone back to it since.
Also, I do not recommend just giving your baby one dose for a few weeks to see how he does. Zantac just doesn't work that way. I was told in detail by my pediatrician that Zantac works for a specific length of time and not for the entire day, hence why we give multiple doses throughout the day. If you only give it to you baby once a day, then you'll know immediately if he needs more by the time the next dose (or two) is needed. There's no need to try it over a course of weeks. Essentially, what I'm saying here is you can go 'cold turkey' on this medicine. Stop giving it and if your child seems in pain and isn't good, then just go back on it. No need to only give one dose and then wait and then give another the next day and continue like this for weeks. According to my doctor, it's pretty black or white. You'll know immediately if your baby needs it or not.

Thanks guys. Well, if that's the case then I don't think he needs it because he hasn't had his morning dose and he's fine. I'll see how he goes today ... but I think he might be ready to stop.

I'd be SO happy if he is ready, I hate dosing him with drugs ... but having said that - I wouldn't have it any other way because he screamed without it so it saved us, it truly did.

We stopped the Zantac 7 days ago. He's fine. Absolutely NO issues whatsoever.

So, after 8 months, he is drug free. :)

That's great! Congratulations! It's tough taking them off of zantac and then just crossing your fingers they'll be ok.
Glad to hear your little one is fine on his own now.

i'm a prevacid rep.
many babies outgrow reflux- i hope yours is one of them. Give it a try - if you see that he's miserable without the meds- start back up.

infant/childhood reflux has shown a direct correlation with adult reflux- so some babies with it will need meds or diet changes their whole life- but the majority of babies will outgrow it- esp when they start to sit up on their own and eat sitting upright.

good luck!