Need advice - gassy baby!!

[pjs mom]

Although my DS has never been a good napper or sleeper, he has always been a happy baby - until last week.  He is now 7 weeks, and crying all day and night.   Terrible gas - very loud and smelly!!  We've been to the ped a few times, and I've been working on an elimination diet.  Cutting out all dairy, green veggies and anything spicy.  Has not made a difference yet.  Anything else I can try??  Latch is fine - LC says he is a natural.  And weight is good - born at 6 pds 12 oz, now at 7 weeks is 12 pds 10 oz so gaining weight well.  Eats 8 times a day - one feed is EBM - a 6 oz bottle.  And he has just transitioned (in the last week so maybe related??) to one poop a day - very wet and mucousy and stinky.

[mom-2-3]

Do you have gas drops where you are, like ovol or gerber?  They help a little bit, also, bicycling his little legs might help work out some of the gas.  Or the baby hula (hold baby under the arms w/ one hand and under the bum w/ the other and move in a circular motion like he's doing the hula) it helps work the gas through.

[RachelC]

How long have you been doing the elmination diet?  It can take quite some time for the effects to be seen.

Also, if it's a dairy thing, you may need to cut it out in all the little areas as well (like bread and such)

[tara72]

I think that we had a gassy baby when my daughter was a couple weeks old. I cut out chocolate and it made loads of difference! we also used Mylicon drops for her when she was very gassy. now, aside from cutting out the chocolate, I burp her more often and that has helped, too.

I read somewhere that the foremilk has more lactose and could therefore cause gassiness if not enough hindmilk is gotten. don't know if it's true or not, but got me thinking!

good luck!

good luck!

[seniuk2001]

Pj's Mom!

I'm right there with you!  Sarah has always been gassy and would wake often with gas pains from the very beginning.  Unfortunately no diet changes helped me.....pediatrician said..yeah, don't bother...if it's going to bother her, then it's going to bother her...just wait it out! 

Here's what we did since my diet did not impact her gas...
--used Ovol drops after a feed
--used Gripe water on occasion
--used manzanilla oil rubbed on her tummy by her belly button...dr says it increases blood flow to that area and helps them expel the gas...seemed to be a miracle to us
--mostly she started having less gas when I changed the way I was BF'ing her.  I tried to keep her upright when feeding and also to burp her more often and in between sides.

-my public health nurse/lactation consultant said that she used gripe water before feeds and Ovol after too as they work in different areas...one going in..and the other coming out..if you know what I mean

She's 9 months now and if she wakes due to gas, she fusses..moves around and then goes back to sleep...so no worries....it will all work out...eventually

Good luck!
Leanne

[inthepink]

My little one was very gassy and cut out all of the foods that are typical offenders and unfortunately I never got to the bottom of what it was. He is 9 months now and eventually it worked itself out, but it was really difficult when it was going on.  It was so hard to see him in pain.  As was already suggested, I also used Mylicon drops.  Sometimes they helped, sometimes they didn't.  I also used Hyland's chamomile tablets and, again, sometimes that helped.  He also seemed to find a warm bath soothing.  He never liked his little tub so I would get into the regular tub with him and that way I could hold him in the water and be sure his tummy was all the way submerged in the warm water. As others mentioned, I also made sure the burp often.  Oh, I just remembered the pediatrician suggested that when it was particularly bad and nothing was helping to insert a thermometer rectally just like you would if you were taking LOs temperature.  Often this would help to get the gas out (and also usually a BM). I was very nervous about doing that at first but it did give my DS some relief. 

Good luck to you.  I know how hard it is to see your LO so uncomfortable. 

Rae-Anne

[pjs mom]

Thanks so much for all the advice - I'm hoping we can find relief since diet change isnt doing much at all other than leaving me hungry and cranky!!  We tried oval drops yesterday, and it seemed to bring short term relief.  I am going to try the massage today if I can find manzanilla oil.  It is also just good to know others have been through this and that an end is in sight!

[inthepink]

So sorry.  I made a mistake on what I told you.  I DID NOT use chamomile tablets when DS was that age.  I drank chamomile tea myself, hoping that maybe it would help his tummy.  I also drank mint tea.  I honestly don't really know if either of things help, but if nothing else it is good for mama and safe for baby.

Rae-Anne