Is being this "gassy" normal?

Hi all,
My twins are two weeks old tomorrow. Breast feeding has been a huge challenge, and I am pumping and bottle feeding breastmilk and supplementing with formula. For the first week and a half- there seemed to be no "effects" from either breastmilk or formula. These past three or four days, my girl Gracie has TERRIBLE gas. She doesn't cry- but she struggles, grunts, flails and seems so restless, especially during sleep. I feel so bad for her and want to help- but am not sure what to do. Does this sound like a reaction to either breastmilk or formula? Is there something that can be done besides switching formula? We already have a nice supply since they seemed to do so well in the beginning that I would hate to waste it (but obviously would if necessary). Anyone with experience in this area with one or both of their twins?

 

My first thought is that babies are gassy, MOST babies! My dd had pretty bad gas. I put mylicon and gripe water in her bedtime bottle to help with it, not sure it helped much but it made me feel better to do it!!
In regards to breastmilk causing gas, it would not be likely unless you are taking fenugreek or another herb to stimulate supply. it is actually much easier to digest than formula.
Do you bicycle her legs? Does that help? Does she burp well?

 

My DS was so so so gassy, nothing helped. Eventually we switched to soy formula and started giving mylicon drops with every bottle and it helped a little, but it wasn't until 3 months or so that it got significantly better. Laying her on her tummy or moving her legs like she is "riding a bicycle" may help her to work it out some. Also, try to burp her every ounce or two when she eats, it may help keep it out of her system a bit.

Hang in there, it will get better eventually :hug99:

 

Could be a dairy allergy. May want to cut it out of your diet and supplement with a hypoallergenic formula.

 

My son was so gassy he grunted day and night and in his sleep. I felt horrible for him. Everyone kept commenting"oooh he's going poopy" I had to explain he grunted 24 hours a day. I had to play formula roulette and finally found one he doesn't grunt with and we give him mylicon drops. Only then did my poor lil baby stop grunting. It took about 2 months for us.

 

I don't think it's the breastmilk. I would guess it's the formula that may be doing it. My dd had gas also and reflux. I used the mylican for gas which helped her out within 15 minutes. I also found gripe water does great also. Hiccups used to get real bad deep sounding but i give her gripe water and as soon as i am done giving her first dose it's gone. I burped her every ounce that helped with the reflux and gas. The bycylce move is good also. It does get better so keep it up.

Wow breastfeeding great job.....I tried and just couldn't do it. I was getting no sleep and trying to pump and alternate between bottle and breast. Not very easy when u have no help or sleep. Good luck

 

My twins are 3 weeks old and the one is extremely gassy and they smell like rotten eggs. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it normal? I am pumping and supplementing with Enfamil Lipil. Didn't know if switching formulas would do any good or like what people have mentioned, it just needs to work itself out.

Thanks for the advice.
Steph

 

QUOTE(steph32 @ Feb 17 2008, 05:45 PM) [snapback]626189[/snapback]
My twins are 3 weeks old and the one is extremely gassy and they smell like rotten eggs. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it normal? I am pumping and supplementing with Enfamil Lipil. Didn't know if switching formulas would do any good or like what people have mentioned, it just needs to work itself out.

Thanks for the advice.
Steph


That is the formula I am using, and the smell IS like rotten eggs. I am going to talk to the pediatrician at my next visit about switching formula if things don't get better. I am using the Milacon drops and it makes a slight difference- but doesn't "cure" it.

 

I think that it is more common for girls... I see it like that anyway... However try some gas drops we used them till they were about 7 months old in EVERY bottle...

 

QUOTE(steph32 @ Feb 17 2008, 04:45 PM) [snapback]626189[/snapback]
My twins are 3 weeks old and the one is extremely gassy and they smell like rotten eggs. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is it normal? I am pumping and supplementing with Enfamil Lipil. Didn't know if switching formulas would do any good or like what people have mentioned, it just needs to work itself out.


Hi, I"m new at this board but I LOL when I read your post. My 2.5yo was the stinkiest baby ever. He had the worst gas and it smelled like rotten eggs too. Which was funny because he was also the most beautiful baby I ever had!! Friends who held him for the first time would comment on how pretty he was and then inhale and say, "did that come from HIM?" Anyway, it probably is the formula. I exclusively bf all my babies and the second still smelled like that!! If that's the only issue with your baby, I wouldn't switch formulas. Give it a few weeks, it may pass. However, if the baby is fussy or cries alot, then you may want to think about switching formulas because it could be a different problem. hth!

 

QUOTE(Erineliza @ Feb 14 2008, 08:08 PM) [snapback]622695[/snapback]
I feel so bad for her and want to help- but am not sure what to do. Does this sound like a reaction to either breastmilk or formula? Is there something that can be done besides switching formula? Anyone with experience in this area with one or both of their twins?


It could be a lot of things. It may just be their little intestines adjusting to "food" since your twins are still so little. Or, it could be something in your breastmilk. You may have to eliminate dairy from your diet. Or tomatoes. Or coffee. With my first 2 children, who were EBF, I had to eliminate dairy and coffee or they squirmed and passed gas alot. Then again, it could be the formula. If they are lactose intolerant, you may have to put them on soyformula. Or, it could be the beginning signs of reflux. Or it just might be a few gas bubbles they are experiencing.

The truth is, that at this age, its' going to be hard to tell. They will change soooo much the first 2 months. All my children did. If the babies are just fussy and squirming, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If they were in pain, they would cry and let you know!! If they aren't screaming, then they aren't experiencing anything life threatening. Besides, you should just try to let them get through the next few weeks without changing their formulas or routine too much. Let them settle in and see how they do as they get a little older. gl!