Newborn tummy fusses

[spicysalmonroll]

Eli is 11 days old now and he is SOOO gassy all the time. He's constantly arching his back and screaming while farting, or trying to. He loses his mind when I try to burp him after feedings, so I rarely get a burp and that makes it worse. He spits up quit a bit too. I want to ask the doctor but my H just keeps saying it's normal and it can wait until our normal appointment in 5 days.

Things friends have suggested/ we've tried that don't work: gripe water, gas drops, pumping legs like a bike, burping, keeping upright after feeding, sleeping semi upright in swing, me being dairy free (this can take a while I'm on day 6). I feel like we've tried everything... you got any other words of wisdom?!? Would you consult a doc before Thursday?

He has plenty of wet and poopy diapers and he's gained weight so I'm not concerned with that, just want to relieve his pain.

[gratefulgirl]

So nothing ever worked for my 2 older kids. I tried gas drops, tummy massage, probiotics (they made DD2 worse), going 100% dairy and soy free for 2 weeks, all that worked was time.

I will say that poor latch from un-clipped tongue and lip tie contributed to both.

Many friends suggested tummy sleep. I was desperate enough to try it; DH was not. So we didn't. But is is effective.

ETA: my pediatricians were never very concerned.

Oh, and do you have a fast letdown? If so, definitely look into laid back/natural nursing.

[thelorax]

We used to burp DD in the bathroom with the shower on- not in the shower, but next to it. I think the noise helped. I know it sounds weird, but it cut down hours of screaming into just minutes. We also would take her outside and have her look at the leaves of the trees. I know it sounds strange, but it seriously made a huge difference. I also started burping her before she was done eating. She got upset because she wasn't done, but it wasn't as bad as when we waited till she was finished.

[spicysalmonroll]

gratefulgirl I've been googling the shit out of forceful letdown and I think I may have it. So I'm going to start trying some of the tips listed. I also just looked up a lactation consultant but at $225 I'm hoping time will help and I won't need to go that route.

[gratefulgirl]

Jul 31, 2016 16:41:10 GMT -5 spicysalmonroll said:

gratefulgirl I've been googling the shit out of forceful letdown and I think I may have it. So I'm going to start trying some of the tips listed. I also just looked up a lactation consultant but at $225 I'm hoping time will help and I won't need to go that route.

Our pediatrician has them on staff. Two NPs are certified. Do any pediatricians covered by your insurance offer that? An LC definitely helps, I saw ours for my oversupply issues.

[kam3100]

My daughter had reflux and the symptoms you were naming were similar. I ended up with a prescription for Zantac for her.

I'd definitely bring it up with the pediatrician. I got lucky because mine asked me and I thought these were are normal baby behaviors and the pediatrician assured me that it wasn't. I hope you find an answer.

[meagpt22]

I did the gas drops..but don't think it was effective. DD ended up formula feed so we used a special formula. So no suggestions for BF babies. Just wanted to say try not to let the pedi tell you it's normal. Our gas issues turned into constipation issues and our GI doctor said increased gas and constipation is not normal. It's so hard to watch them struggle.

[dc2london]

I agree that that could be reflux. We were given Zantac, but eliminating dairy did the trick for us. (Many moms don't want to eliminate dairy and are more comfortable using the Zantac, which is of course fine too. I am, myself, moderately lactose intolerant and already partly dairy free).
My oldest also spent a lot of time in the football hold, which helped.

[gratefulgirl]

Jul 31, 2016 18:03:15 GMT -5 meagpt22 said:

I did the gas drops..but don't think it was effective. DD ended up formula feed so we used a special formula. So no suggestions for BF babies. Just wanted to say try not to let the pedi tell you it's normal. Our gas issues turned into constipation issues and our GI doctor said increased gas and constipation is not normal. It's so hard to watch them struggle.

That's funny. A pediatric GI told a friend had issues were normal until 2 due to developing digestion.

[spicysalmonroll]

Oh yea I forgot there is a LC at the pediatrician office. I'll have to ask about seeing her and of it costs extra.

Thanks for the advice and that maybe it's not as normal as H thinks. Will definitely ask about reflux or zantac if she thinks that could be the case.

[meagpt22]

Jul 31, 2016 18:19:39 GMT -5 gratefulgirl said:

Jul 31, 2016 18:03:15 GMT -5 meagpt22 said:

I did the gas drops..but don't think it was effective. DD ended up formula feed so we used a special formula. So no suggestions for BF babies. Just wanted to say try not to let the pedi tell you it's normal. Our gas issues turned into constipation issues and our GI doctor said increased gas and constipation is not normal. It's so hard to watch them struggle.

That's funny. A pediatric GI told a friend had issues were normal until 2 due to developing digestion.

I think she said that bc our doctor kind of blew us off..and when she did her physical and an X-ray it showed DD was very impacted. And the cause while not physical issue, it still wasn't normal.

[gratefulgirl]

Jul 31, 2016 18:19:42 GMT -5 spicysalmonroll said:

Oh yea I forgot there is a LC at the pediatrician office. I'll have to ask about seeing her and of it costs extra.

Thanks for the advice and that maybe it's not as normal as H thinks. Will definitely ask about reflux or zantac if she thinks that could be the case.

I'll say this - DD2 was on Zantac (thanks to our pediatrician's LC, actually, the pediatrician herself was kind of blowing me off) and then even Prevacid for reflux. It helped...slightly. She was less fussy during the day. She still slept worse than you want to imagine, though. And she was a grouchy and intense kid until she started walking at 14 months. Reflux is very real, but I think the spectrum of fussiness and how we parents view it leaves a large range of "normal."  After my experience of gassy babies x2 and a possibly reflux baby x1, I am more inclined to identify with this pediatrician who thinks reflux is over diagnosed.

Newborn fussiness sucks, hardcore. ((Hugs)) to you. May there be a simple medical answer. But if there's not, you'll make it through. Use your wrap, use your swing, use everyone in your support network and just know that your kid will have absolutely zero memory of any pain he might be experiencing with. DD2 might be still kind of intense, but her pain tolerance is out of this world. She'll fall, skin both knees, point to them, then go back to playing. Whatever was bugging her as a little made her stronger.

[thelorax]

Jul 31, 2016 18:19:42 GMT -5 spicysalmonroll said:

Oh yea I forgot there is a LC at the pediatrician office. I'll have to ask about seeing her and of it costs extra.

Thanks for the advice and that maybe it's not as normal as H thinks. Will definitely ask about reflux or zantac if she thinks that could be the case.

They will probably charge it as an extra Dr's visit. This will vary by practice, but most typically do. A lot of hospitals offer a free LC at least one a week. It's more of a group setting, but I've heard good things.

[elm1214]

Poor little guy. It does sound kind of like reflux to me too. DD1 did well on Zantac, but it took a lot of medicine trials to find what worked for DD2 (but when we found it, she was a totally different baby).

If they do end up putting him on reflux meds, in my experience they are weight-based dosages, so they need to be adjusted as the baby grows or has a growth spurt or they won't work as well.

[coffeequeen14]

Have you tried the Windi? It was a Miracle for S2s gas.

[kokopelli]

LO doesn't spit up, but she is so gassy and is really uncomfortable. We are on probiotic drops (Biogaia) and they seem to be helping. I also add gas drops into her bottles to get rid of bubbles before she eats. She still gets gassy, but she poops more and poops quicker so her fussy times have greatly lessoned.

We also stomach sleep. It was to the point where she refused to sleep in the bassinet and she tummy slept in NICU, so I just flipped her.

I hope you guys can find some relief soon!
ETA: I just saw coffeequeen post about windi. I haven't tried it but my bff is a pediatric NP and swears by them. She is bringing me one to try on Wednesday.

[madamewaffles]

** lurking *

Look for a La Leche League in your area. They usually meet twice monthly and meetings are free and attended by IBCLCs, so you can get free advice there. Each area club may also have a FB page. Join and post your questions there. Other moms or LCs can respond there too. Hope guy figure out what's going on. My son has similar issues and we've found the best thing is for me to hand express or pump for 1-2 minutes to get most of the forceful letdown out, so flow would be slower and more steady for him. Not 100% fix but a vast improvement. What are baby's poops like? (Color/consistency/frequency)

[spicysalmonroll]

Aug 1, 2016 1:03:33 GMT -5 madamewaffles said:

** lurking *

Look for a La Leche League in your area. They usually meet twice monthly and meetings are free and attended by IBCLCs, so you can get free advice there. Each area club may also have a FB page. Join and post your questions there. Other moms or LCs can respond there too. Hope guy figure out what's going on. My son has similar issues and we've found the best thing is for me to hand express or pump for 1-2 minutes to get most of the forceful letdown out, so flow would be slower and more steady for him. Not 100% fix but a vast improvement. What are baby's poops like? (Color/consistency/frequency)

They got rid of LLL in my area but there's one called milcroom. I'm going to try and get in with the pedi LC today because I had the worst night of my life last night. Its getting worse no matter what I try and it's just not practical that me, him, and two towels get soaked at every feeding. I can't keep doing that all day. Even when I express first it seems like the flow never slows down. I am so emotional and sad and pissed right now because nursing was going great the first week and I thought I really had it down and now it seems like it's all gone to shit and I may have to stop.

[dc2london]

You may have an overactive letdown, which can cause reflux type symptoms. I had a major problem with that with DS1. Hand expression prior to feeding helps. We also had success with side-lying nursing positions. It allows gravity to help slow the flow a bit. I know a lot of people have success nursing in a reclined position too but I never quite mastered that

[spicysalmonroll]

Aug 1, 2016 7:11:02 GMT -5 dc2london said:

You may have an overactive letdown, which can cause reflux type symptoms. I had a major problem with that with DS1. Hand expression prior to feeding helps. We also had success with side-lying nursing positions. It allows gravity to help slow the flow a bit. I know a lot of people have success nursing in a reclined position too but I never quite mastered that

I've tried all of this and we both still end up soaked (in addition to the couch or bed). I feel like the flow never slows down. I'm having a major meltdown right now, why does this have to be so hard.

[gratefulgirl]

Aug 1, 2016 8:13:08 GMT -5 spicysalmonroll said:

Aug 1, 2016 7:11:02 GMT -5 dc2london said:

You may have an overactive letdown, which can cause reflux type symptoms. I had a major problem with that with DS1. Hand expression prior to feeding helps. We also had success with side-lying nursing positions. It allows gravity to help slow the flow a bit. I know a lot of people have success nursing in a reclined position too but I never quite mastered that

I've tried all of this and we both still end up soaked (in addition to the couch or bed). I feel like the flow never slows down. I'm having a major meltdown right now, why does this have to be so hard.

((Hugs)). I have been there with the "it never slows down" sensation. Your supply will regulate - promise. But it can take time. FX the LC has a now solution!

[kam3100]

spicysalmonroll, breastfeeding and overall having a newborn was the hardest thing I ever went through. I know it's causing a meltdown right now, but I promise you are doing a great job. Having a fussy uncomfortable baby makes it seem like you are doing everything wrong, but I am betting you are doing much better than you think you are. Hang in there lady. I hope the LC can give you some tips to help. *hugs*

[dc2london]

Ask the LC if and when you can start block feeding. That does help, but you may need to wait just a little bit. The milk geysers before your supply regulates are so, so frustrating. Just remember that you are doing a great job, and lean on the resources available to you (like us and your LC) :-)

[katelm]

Aug 1, 2016 6:41:40 GMT -5 spicysalmonroll said:

Aug 1, 2016 1:03:33 GMT -5 madamewaffles said:

** lurking *

Look for a La Leche League in your area. They usually meet twice monthly and meetings are free and attended by IBCLCs, so you can get free advice there. Each area club may also have a FB page. Join and post your questions there. Other moms or LCs can respond there too. Hope guy figure out what's going on. My son has similar issues and we've found the best thing is for me to hand express or pump for 1-2 minutes to get most of the forceful letdown out, so flow would be slower and more steady for him. Not 100% fix but a vast improvement. What are baby's poops like? (Color/consistency/frequency)

They got rid of LLL in my area but there's one called milcroom. I'm going to try and get in with the pedi LC today because I had the worst night of my life last night. Its getting worse no matter what I try and it's just not practical that me, him, and two towels get soaked at every feeding. I can't keep doing that all day. Even when I express first it seems like the flow never slows down. I am so emotional and sad and pissed right now because nursing was going great the first week and I thought I really had it down and now it seems like it's all gone to shit and I may have to stop.

I just wanted to let you know I am also experiencing breastfeeding issues right now & we also had a realllllly rough night last night. It's so hard it seems like my baby has night & day mixed up as well.

[spicysalmonroll]

katelm ugh sorry you're going through this too! As much I adore him being tiny I secretly wish I could fast forward a month