HELP! Advice needed, gassy/colicky babies ...

My boys are having huge gas pain issues these past few weeks. I almost wonder if they are a bit colicky - I breastfeed them both and it's almost instantaneous, after they nurse, they start screwing up their faces and kicking and crying, sometimes one of them, sometimes both. I brought it up to the doctor and she said to try those gas drops, watch my diet, and different ways to try and relieve their gas but nothing seems to help except just holding and cuddling them through it, shushing them and bouncing them. Lately each night at least one of them projectile vomits too, all over the place, poor babies Could this be acid reflux? Is it something in my milk or are they just babies with sensitive tummies?

I read that this can peak around 6 weeks and then taper off, is this true? Because I'm starting to debate pumping milk and bottle-feeding to try and feed them upright (I prop them up now but it's not like sitting-up) and so that my honey can take turns at night feeding them so I can get some rest.

Any advice or tips? I feel so bad for them when they are like that for an hour or so and I feel like there's not much I can do, plus the crying can really wear on you.

 

My boys are having huge gas pain issues these past few weeks. I almost wonder if they are a bit colicky - I breastfeed them both and it's almost instantaneous, after they nurse, they start screwing up their faces and kicking and crying, sometimes one of them, sometimes both. I brought it up to the doctor and she said to try those gas drops, watch my diet, and different ways to try and relieve their gas but nothing seems to help except just holding and cuddling them through it, shushing them and bouncing them. Lately each night at least one of them projectile vomits too, all over the place, poor babies Could this be acid reflux? Is it something in my milk or are they just babies with sensitive tummies?

I read that this can peak around 6 weeks and then taper off, is this true? Because I'm starting to debate pumping milk and bottle-feeding to try and feed them upright (I prop them up now but it's not like sitting-up) and so that my honey can take turns at night feeding them so I can get some rest.

Any advice or tips? I feel so bad for them when they are like that for an hour or so and I feel like there's not much I can do, plus the crying can really wear on you.

 

Generally nursing puts less gas in their bellies than bottlefeeding. It could be reflux, that is what the vomiting sounds like. My son did that and I had to cut all carbonated products and dairy products out. He still had the reflux but that took the gas away. For the twins, Allie had really bad gas up to 10 weeks, plus I can't eat garlic things!

I hope they feel better soon!

 

Do you feed them water at all ? If so, I know thos is an old wives tale but it truely does work, put about 3 ounces of warm water in a bottle with one of those peppermint candy's (the red and white discs)
mix it up and let it melt most of the way and let them drink maybe an ounce to an ounce and a half, see if that helps. It did with my one and the other doesnt have bad gas.

Let me know if you try it and if it works

Keri

 

My kiddos get really bad gas when I eat dairy, soy, eggs, or wheat. But there are so many gas culprits out there: veggies like broccoli, tomato products, beans, citrus fruits, etc. See if you notice the gas is worse after you've eaten certain things. That's so not fun, so good luck.

 

Thanks ladies ... Well, I eat a ton of dairy, I don't want to cut that out, I love milk!!! I've been trying to avoid things I know give me gas (tonight I picked out all of the cabbage in my Chinese food) ... the peppermint thing sounds interesting but the doc said not to give them water yet??? But it's only an ounce and if it takes away their pain ... I drink soda occasionally but I guess I could cut that all out too.

I'll try this stuff - thank you!

 

Well I have bad news for you...it could very well be the dairy. I consume MASSIVE amounts of dairy as well, so I feel your pain. My son was super fussy, my DH and I spent hours bouncing him in his bouncy seat, he cried after eating etc. He even did the projectile vomitting. My SIL was the one who told it could be dairy, and the only way to test it out was to take it completley for like 3 days, and see if there was a change. I have to tell you within 12 hours he was better, and within 24 hours was a totally different baby. I am not even kidding, he changed dramatically. Giving up the dairy was really hard for me, but so worth it, our lives were so much easier. He has since outgrown the sensitivity, and has not projectile vommitted since. Good luck to you.

 

Hi,

It could be reflux!! my son had a similar reaction after eating at that age. We didn't diagnose until 3 months, tho. Now, at nearly 6 months, we've discovered that his reflux and my other son's projectile vomiting were caused by dairy protein intolerance.

I started a dairy free soy free diet on jan 3 and now, 3+ weeks in, my reflux son no longer needs his medicine (which is fabulous, cause I hated giving him meds) and the other son doesn't either. Son #1 has also started sleeping better and is of a much better temperment than before -- it's like having a different kid.

So I know that removing dairy is dauinting. I wasn't a big milk drinker, but I love butter and ice cream... but I have to say, that now that I've done this for nealry 4 weeks... it's not that bad. I use margarine (a special kind that has no casein or whey) and I eat sorbet and popscicles instead of ice cream. many cookies can be made with crisco as well.

SO, the difference in my kiddos is so big, that I am eager to continue for their well being. I'm sure you'll feel the same if you see big improvements.

Keep in mind that many kiddos outgrow dairy intolerance by 6 months.

Teri D

 

We are having similiar issues, however it's not with every feeding. Also, there are less issues when we feed them formula (usually the overnight feeding) but the formula is milk based, so it doesn't make sense.

Are they this way at every feeding? We have a meltdwon time from roughly 5pm to 10pm. It was suggested that we take them for a walk or give them a bath because they may need to an environmental change. I know you live in a cold climate, maybe a drive?

I feel your pain on the gas issue though - we can just see the kids struggling through it. We are using the myclocin drops which seem to help a bit.

I have given up soda, although a friend who spoke to a La Leche person said soda isn't an issue, but that's easier to try than the no-dairy thing!

Miriam

 

My ds does the same and the assumption is that it's reflux. He's on Zantac, Alimentum (still has it, so it has nothing to do with dairy) and rice cereal. We're seeing the GI specialist again on Monday.