4-week-old "choking" because won't wind - help!

[Moorhen]

DS had a lovely calm day yesterday, with two-hour sleeps inbetween feeds which is normal when he's not colicky.

Then from 10.30pm to 6am, fed hourly, was very difficult to wind, and every time I put him down he choked and gasped and occasionally possetted a bit, but basically frightened himself (and me and DH) so much that none of us got any sleep. It's a hideous noise, really sounds like he's on the way out.

I am so exhausted I could cry.

We called the maternity unit who just said to wind him more thoroughly, but he just won't burp! Any ideas?

[Rhubarb]

Didn't want this to slip.

My youngest is 3.5 so it's kinda hard for me to remember now. Walking up and down stairs with him on your shoulder might help. Or putting him belly down over your knee, frontways not sideways, and just stroking his back. Or on his back, get his legs and draw them up to his sides, like a frogs, then gently press his thighs in to his sides, this helps them to pump it all out.

[Bluestocking]

Or sit him up with his chin in the web of your hand (between thumb and forefinger) and elongate him - hard to describe but sometimes seems to straighten the kinks out and let them have a good burp!

[Charlie999]

I found infacol brilliant for winding DD when she was that age. Others use dentinox or gripe water but I don't have any experience of those.

Hope it improves

[Moorhen]

Thanks everyone. I have tried sitting him up, and also slinging him over my shoulder and rubbing his back - both usually work beautifully, but not last night. He just would not burp. Dentinox helped a bit.

The choking's not something to worry about then? That's a relief, we were nervous wrecks by morning. Poor DH has gone to work shuffling like a zombie.

DS, needless to say, is now sleeping peacefully and has been for the last hour. Am planning to have a word with him about timing at some point...

[Rhubarb]

"choking"? In what way? Colic sounds very raspy and choky I guess. Blimey I just can't remember anymore!

[saltire]

When we were winding - or trying to wind - DS1 we used to hold him straight. SO we would hold him under his armpits and let his body sort of dangle down, so he was stretched IYSWIM. The midwife suggested doing it, just for a couple of seconds at a time, then repeat 2 or 3 times. Don't worry you will have a tight hold of him,it sed to wrk with him.

Thats about all the help I can give I'm afraid.

[Moorhen]

He starts off with a couple of little coughs, and if you leave him (or don't quite wake up quickly enough) it escalates to choking noises and either a bit of curdled milk coming out of his nose, or bubbly spit from his mouth.

Also v indignant/frightened looks and wails, once he's got his breath back. Not nice.

[Rhubarb]

Make sure that his cot is tilted so he's not lying down flat.

[Moorhen]

That's a good idea, he is better as soon as you pick him up.

Why is it happening, though? Is he OK? First one, as you've probably guessed...