Do you use Mylicon in your older gassy babies?

Specialties NICU

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We have a 5 1/2 month old baby on the unit right now chronic case since birth- NEC that lead to surgery+short gut, severe food intolerances, chronic lungs you name it.

They have cycled through every type of feed known and the only thing he tolerates is Nutramigen AA barely but still he is so incredibly gassy. You can hear it across the room and he's always miserable because of it despite constant positioning changes, vibrating chairs, warm pads under the belly, etc etc.

I have suggested Mylicon to all the docs and only 1 was even open to it and she was shot down by the Neonatologist who said no...give Tylenol instead. Tylenol isn't going to help the gas:(

I have only been on the unit for 9 months and when I asked around I was told they never write for Mylicon in the older kids. No one really knows why. The head neonatologist basically just waved me off when I asked.

Does anyone here use Mylicon?

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Off and on, depends on the neo. Most think it's harmless, some think it's useless (I don't). Some babies really to seem to benefit from it. The most common baby likely to get an order for it is a narcotic abstinence syndrome infant.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

We don't, but I wish we would.

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Specializes in NICU.

Some of our docs "refuse" to use it because they say that it "doesn't work". But they're not the ones at the bedside seeing a difference in the cranky chronic. The rest of our docs are good at listening to the nurses and will order it whenever we ask.

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What always gets me, is if nothing else is working, why not try? What is the harm? I am so sick of Neos playing power trips about what they believe. Why can't it just be about making the baby feel better?

Where I worked in AZ we actually would use Mylicon if warranted.

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Specializes in NICU.
What always gets me, is if nothing else is working, why not try? What is the harm? I am so sick of Neos playing power trips about what they believe. Why can't it just be about making the baby feel better?

Seriously...

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I ask for it, but often have to ask several times before they give in. My strategy is that it won't hurt them, and if it makes the kid even a little more comfortable, it's worth it!!! Persist. If one of the older, more experienced nurses harp on them, theymay be more likely to give in. Good Luck on that.

You have to pull out every trick in the book for these kids. If you have a peds unit and they have a "Child Life" specialist, ask him/her to come play w/the baby sometimes. Or the Occupational Therapist. They need some time to be a baby. OT can bring some of their floor pads up so the baby can have some "tummy time". If you have volunteers, use them for cuddling and rocking. Swings help too.

If @ all possible, the baby should have a schedule, including a tub bath @ night and soft lullabys.

And the baby needs a "team", so he gets the same people carrying for him. Forgive me if I'm suggesting things that are already done.

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Specializes in NICU, adult med-tele.

We use it sometimes. The reason they have gotten away from it is a study that came out awhile back where the results seemed to show it was ineffective, no more effective than a placebo. I can't find the study right now but I bet it would be pretty to easy to hunt it up if you didn't have a irritable infant on your hands (hmm maybe she needs mylicon:D) I agree it can't hurt, if you have a kiddo that is hurting from gas that is that obvious. Most of the time we have to threaten the docs to get them to write it (i.e if you don't, we are going to put this kid in a snugli and strap it to you and you can deal with him the rest of the day...try that:D)

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

"...if you don't, we are going to put this kid in a snugli and strap it to you and you can deal with him the rest of the day...try that) "

EXCELLENT!! I second that idea!!!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I agree with the above.... Mylicon occasionally works, which can be a sanity-saver for the nurse caring for an uncomfortable chronic baby.

Baths, videos and playtime all help, too...

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We often use it on these types of kiddos. They usually write for it if we ask.

If your unit doesn't already have a committee for the older baby, you should think about starting one. Also, you can write out a schedule on a poster for your older babies. Ours love sitting in high chairs and being nosey watching the rest of the world go by. It keeps them calm for a little while at least!

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