gas woes

[Micky R]

Hello!  This web site has been so good for us...I've learned so much from reading about other babies and suggestions from everyone.  Our situation is that my 9 week old has a pretty gassy tummy that interferes with his sleep.  We've been doing EASY for about 2 weeks and it's been going pretty well.  A couple of bad spots (after shots), but it's been good.  I do have some concerns about the gas problem.  He has gas all day and it often cuts his naps short.  If he's had only a 30 minute nap, and quite settle again due to gas, I'll cuddle him.  It really starts up at about 4-5 in the morning.  Sometimes he can sleep through it, other times he can't.  On those occasions, I put him on my chest and I hold him really tight.  That's about the only way he/I can get any sleep.  Should I try something else or wait until he grows out of this?  Micky

[zelkad]

Our little guy went through a gas bout when he was quite young too.  Someone  on this site recommended gas relief drops (Gerber makes a brand)  I got mine at Walmart.  I asked my doctor because the box said to consult a doctor for babies under 2...he said it was fine as long as we didn't use it more for 2 weeks.  It seemed to help him.

Are you bf?  If so, is there something in your diet.   I found mushrooms to be nasty.  If you're using formula, could a different brand help?  As for the cuddling to sleep, yes it's a habit (accidental parenting) but I think he''s young enough that you can break it fairly easily.  And when they are so young and it's so late at night, it's hard to do anything else.  I hope someone else can offer you something more!

Good luck!
Zelka

[branwen]

Hi! 

Do you have any of the mylicon drops?  You can try giving those before or after each feed.  You might hear more gas, get more burps but that means it's working.  They worked for my dd.  I bf so I ended up cutting a lot of foods early on- peppers, brocolli, etc.  You can also try bicycling his legs, or taking his knees to his chest, then hold and release and repeat.  I would get some gas out of her like that too!

Also- if bf'ing make sure to check your latch periodically.  If bottlefeeding you could try a different nipple or whatever flow you are on go down to the slower one?

You might be forming habits that will be hard to break later on.  However, if it is just due to gas and if you correct that it might not be an issue.  It just depends on how long you plan to hold.  When you do things like that- and trust me we all do- it's natural to cuddle your baby- you must ask yourself how long you are willing to do it?

[Micky R]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I do BF and nothing I eat or don't eat seems to help.  We've tried Oval drops, gripe water, homeopthic stuff, etc, nothing seems to help.  I guess just time and hopefully our accidental parenting will be easy to fix once the gas is gone.  Thanks for the reassurance!...Micky

[deenz]

What is the active ingredient in these drops you're talking about?  Today I bought something called 'Infacol' as my 5 day old dd also seems to suffer from gas at night.  I am reluctant to use them also though, as on the box the dosage is for 1 month up, and it also says to consult your doc before using on under 6m old.  The active ingredient is 'simethicone'.

[Micky R]

I talked to a friend who is a pharmacist this morning and she says those drops are equivalent to our Ovol drops.  The active ingredient is the same.  I know so many people, myself included, who have given our newborns Ovol drops.  My friend said they are safe but you may want to contact your doctor or health nurse just to confirm.  A lot of people have had great success with the drops, however, they didn't work for my babe, but then again, nothing has seemed to.  We've tried all of Tracy's tricks, warm water bottles on his tummy, I do reflexology on his feet, Reiki, Quantum touch, massages, I even took him to a chiropractor who told me it's his gastric intestinal system and that there was basically nothing we could do...just time.  I know Tracy says that eating particular foods don't affect the milk, but yesterday I ate chocolate for the first time and we put in a heck of a night.  He's still very unsettled this morning.  It took 45 min to get him down for his nap this morning.  It was so hard not to cave and rock him/hold him for his nap, especially when I know he's in pain.  I'm trying my best to not accidental parent but on nights like last night, what's a guy to do?  Stand at his crib shushing/patting and listen to him scream in his crib for hours or hold him real tight so we can sleep?  It's frustrating because I know EASY works, and he's very responsive to it, only the gas problem seems to interfere with our progress....we'll just keep on doing our best and hopefully when the gas is gone, things will fall into place easily if we have the basics mastered. (I hope!).  Good luck Denise, keep in touch if you need someone to vent to.  It can be very frustrating.  Sometimes I get so angry, not at him, but at the situation and I need to vent...it sure helps to come to this website and read the stories and find some answers.  Makes you feel not quite so alone...Micky

[mandykittie]

Hi Micky,
Have you considered that he might have reflux? My lo (six weeks) had/has terrible gas too, and we found that his screaming was actually from the pain of reflux (which was making it hard to get the two or three good burps he needed, so the gas was passing into his gut). 
Just an idea!

[firstborn]

How did you discover that it was reflux?  My lo is 5.5 months and still has pretty bad gas.  We have tried everything and he doesn't seem to get much relief.  We are introducing formula at night but don't know which will be easiest to digest.


Thanks

Kim

[Micky R]

I did wonder if it was reflux.  However, according to Tracy's book, my lo has none of the symptoms except an occasional spit up and explosive poops.  Otherwise, all of the symptoms seem to be under the gas heading.  He mostly grunts and groans and strains as opposed to scream.  He will start crying in his crib if it gets too out of hand and he can't settle.  Often he settles himself quite nicely, he's just noisy about it.  Then the next time, he can't (?). His crib is elevated and I rub him to burp as opposed to patting.  He doesn't cry after feeding, just grunts.  He started grunting as soon as he came into this world and he hasn't really quit.  the doctor checked him for all sorts of stuff--kidney, bladder, etc, because of his grunting, but he's healthy.  He sometimes is quite frantic to suck, even right after a feed.  He has finally found his hands, but usually the paci is the only "soother".  He uses it to fall asleep but spits it out as soon as he's asleep. He also frantically rubs his face even after a good sleep. But he's happy.  the only time he really cries is when he gets overtired or if the gas becomes too much.  He seems pretty textbook.  I don't know, tough to figure out.  I am open to any more suggestions that others have tried...we're always willing to give anything a try!!  Micky

[branwen]

Micky- You are still in the colic period- have you thought about it?  I mean I know you say he grunts but is the gas esp bad in the late afternoon/evening?  does he try to pull up his legs or wiggle around in pain?

Might be a strange question but what color are his poops?

I would also suggest cutting out dairy entirely from your diet for 2 or 3 days and see if he is better.  When I cut dairy to only 1 or 2 servings per day my dd was A LOT happier...now that she is older I can eat whatever I want but in the first 6 months I really limited it because she was so much happier--also carbonated beverages.  I also switched to dilluted juices (for me) too because her tummy was so sensitive. 

Does he come on and off the breast?

He is also probably completely overtired/stimulated because of no sleep because of gas- vicious cycle.

[Micky R]

Hi Branwen
I have thought of it as colic but it really falls into the gas category for a lot of it.  His tummy rumbles all day, his sleeps are disturbed all day, but it does seem worse between 4-6 in the morning.  I have eliminated milk for 3 weeks now.  I've switched to soy milk, but it doesn't seem to help.  Because he's been so bothered the last week, I've eaten so bland.  It's tough to eat because everything has milk ingredients it seems, I'm staying away from raw everything...fruits and vegetables.  He does come off the breast occasionally but not always and his poops are the yellow mustard color.  I assumed that was normal.  He does pull up his legs and wiggles alot. I have to admit, I've been getting discouraged and accidental parenting alot this week.  He seems to be extra gassy and will not settle in his crib at all.  He'll be sound asleep, past the jolts and then he'll start whimpering, doubling over, grunting, groaning, eyes rolling back in his head...it's crazy.  He gets almost frantic, clawing at his face.  I settle him again, put him in his crib and it happens again.  His tummy makes horrible noises.  But he rarely cries from it, just mostly grunting and groaning and straining.  I get frustrated too because Tracy's book talks about all the ways to help but nothing is.  So what do I do?  I've just been holding him alot to sleep, and trying to stick to EASY as best as we can.  Thanks..Micky

[branwen]

Micky,

I'm at a loss :? I was secretly hoping his poops were thick or green so I could get other ideas!!  My last theory is also reflux.  He could be a silent refluxer- as in swallow back the air into tummy after a feed.  How do you feel about exploring meds to settle his stomach?  And I might not be completely BW on this but if you have done everything to try to help him AP'ing is ok by me.  I mean you have to make them as comfy as possible after awhile.  Hopefully when his system matures more he will be able to digest his food better and EASY will well- get easier!

The most important thing though, in my opinion, is to keep breastfeeding, as that will be by far the most easy for him to digest.

I recommend posting on the reflux board and see what responses you get.  Maybe someone there can tell you more of the less obvious symptoms?

[Micky R]

Thanks Branwen for all of your help.  We had a much better day today.  I've been drinking scads of peppermint tea, giving him gripe water before feeding (every 2nd one), and lots of tummy rubs.  I've also eliminated almost all food and will introduce a bit at a time.  I've read somewhere about the elimination diet, have you heard of it?  I'm kinda just trying my own thing, we'll see.  Thanks again for trying to help us....it's nice to know that we're not alone..Micky

[branwen]

Hi Micky!

I had another thought- I would meet with a lactation consultant just to recheck his latch- maybe he is somehow getting air? and they can also help you with the elimination diet...they might be able to spot a less obvious food that you would never think would cause his gas pains.

I am also going to PM the breastfeeding moderators to see if they have any ideas for you re: the elimination diet.

Hugs!

[Micky R]

Thanks Branwen....My mother has thought that he may be getting air when he feeds so I've really been watching it lately (great minds think alike!).  we've had some better days, I'm back to putting him down in his crib as opposed to rocking him to sleep.  I was a bit afraid it would take some time to get him used to it again, but he's done well today.  I've even got 30 minutes of exercise in! woo hoo!  I'm still eating very bland ,very, very bland, very very boring (oh the things we do), but I'll start reintroducing food.  Thanks for all of your help and suggestions, I really do appreciate it.  Micky

[erin28]

Micky-

I just want you to know that I am in the same exact boat as you.  Thank you for posting this, it really makes me feel better that I'm not the only one dealing with a gassy baby and nothing helps.  My lo is 3 months old and she has had gas since she was 2 weeks old.  I think it's slowly gotten a little better.  We are trying Zantac to see if maybe it's reflux, but I doubt it is.  I think it's just gas, but I thought what the heck I'll try it, it can't make it any worse.  I tried eliminating foods, but found nothing changed how gassy she was, so I pretty much eat what I want.  I do limit my milk product intake and don't eat too many gas causing vegetables and avoid really spicy foods.  I just started EASY with my daughter because her gas interfered so much with naps and everything else I didn't think I could get her on any kind of routine.  If you need anyone to talk to, I'd be glad to help in any way I can.

[annamum]

Hi Micky,

The yellow mustard poop is normal. I don't have personal experience with elimination diet but here are some things you may want to consider:

Diary can be found in many products, you will need to read labels very carefully. It is true that it happens very often to be the culrit for baby fussiness. It also is in a chocolate  :cry:, except for dark bitter varieties. If you already cut out diary, the soy also may be the thing that causes discomfort. If you like soy milk, try instead rice dream.
There is a list of foods that are theoretically inducing gassiness in breastfed babies, first are beans, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, spicy hot foods, especially Indian, I think. The list goes on but the point is that you should eat a healthy and a balanced diet while nursing and you can't just eliminate everything. For us strawberries were a big offender. I really can't think of anything else at the moment.

The second thing, I agree with your doctor, his system is not mature yet and thus all this fussiness, albeit extreme, I admit. I agree that for you it is not easy to just watch your baby being uncomfortable, but it will probably pass soon. He is now 11 weeks, he should be getting better within short time.

As for accidental parenting, I think, when they are so young and uncomfortable, you should do what works at the moment, you need to survive  :lol: . For us, first 3 months were the toughest, from then on, I got a hang of it and my dd was easier to handle, too.

There is another thing that crossed my mind. Even though, you say you are sure it is gas, what is your baby's personality? My dd was/is a spirited angel and spirited relates to sleep in our case. That means, she always has been fighting sleep, even as a newborn as if she thought she would be missing something if she went to sleep. Sadly, this still continues today. But, the thing is, when she was a newborn, and before I even read BW, I would nurse her, wait till she was motionless, quietly, without breathing, I would transfer her to crib and ... she would awake! She would then start flailing her arms, scratching her face and so on. That could continue for a long time each night. From today's perspective, I wish I swaddled her and knew more about babies :oops: .

Anyway, I hope your ds gets better. Keep us posted .

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Hi Micky - is it going any better?  You've had some great advice already.  The one thing I really want to reinforce is the latch, though.  Have you seen a lactation consultant just to check it?  Gas coming out often means gas going in. :wink: Are his lips flanged out?  Does he make any smacking or clicking noises?  How long do you spend burping him?  I used to have to pat my dd for at least 10 min.  I actually found it worked best to prop her sitting up on my lap, supporting her head and sort of bouce her gently up and down a couple of times first, then pat (dh called it the "jiggle, jiggle, jiggle, pat, pat, pat").  The jiggle moves up the air bubbles so they come out easier.

[Micky R]

Hello to all.  Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I love this website...it feels like I have a great group of friends to bounce ideas off of any time I need to.  Thank you for that.  Things got a little crazy for a couple of days, that's why it's taken so long to reply back.  It's also Thanksgiving weekend so it's been busy with family.  Ds seems to be settling down a bit after those two bad days. We have a couple crappy days, then a couple good days and so on. I've really been watching the latch.  We live in a rural area so there is no lactation consultant close.  Our health nurse has observed us nursing and she said it looked good.  I've been reintroducing some food.  It got way too boring and I got way too hungry.  I don't think it's been what I've been eating...I think it's just his little GI system not functioning up to par yet.  He's pretty textbook.  He doesn't mind being put down in his crib..he goes to sleep quite easily on the good days...when I'm on top of his cues.  He just doesn't stay sleeping for very long when he has a bad tummy. I try to get a burp out of him every time he nurses.  he burps pretty easy, sometimes in the night when he's more relaxed, he doesn't necessarily have a burp.  He did have a great night two nights ago.  He nursed at 8:30, it took me until 10 to completely settle him and I thought "Oh no, another long night ahead" but he slept until 3:30!!  So it's coming.  It's a good thing they make babies so dang cute so when you're completely exhausted and frustrated, it's really not so bad, because they are so irresisitable!  Thanks again everyone...Micky

[annamum]

It's a good thing they make babies so dang cute so when you're completely exhausted and frustrated, it's really not so bad, because they are so irresisitable!  Thanks again everyone...Micky

I agree  :lol: , if they weren't so cute, parents would probably have much less patience with them.