Crying during feeding

[SummerC]

My dd is 10 weeks old and is on 6oz of formula every 4 hours (with the exception of during the night...she sleeps from 11-7). Within the last week she has become increasingly hard to feed. She cries, gets red in the face and thrashes her arms when I am feeding her for most feeds. I have checked her mouth and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong.

Any ideas??

[lottymadbird]

Wind?

Have you changed the brand of formula? Type of bottle or teat?

Does she still feed or try to pull away?

Is she definitely hungry or are you feeding to a routine?

[SummerC]

Hi lottymadbird. Nothing has changed with her feed. Same formula, same amount, same bottle and same teat.

She feeds and cries at the same time. She'll suck on the bottle, then scream, then thrash her arms a bit and then feed some more. She doesn't push the teat out of her mouth (well she does, but only for winding).

I'd be shocked if it was wind...I wind her for almost an hour after every feed (she had colic when she was younger and it seemed to help calm her and it's become habit). I know this may sound stupid, but is it possible I'm doing it wrong?

I am feeding to a routine. She eats at 7, 11 and 3 (with the exception of 3am as she sleeps through). At the moment she is taking between 3.5 and 4 ounces at each feed, but that takes almost half an hour to get down her. What confuses me is that a week ago she was on the exact same feeding schedule and she was taking between 5 and 6 ounces without a problem. Is it possible that she was going through a growth spurt then? Any idea how much formula she should be taking in 24 hours? She's 10 weeks old and 12lbs 2ounces.

[olliesmummy2005]

is it 'normal' crying or does it sound high pitched/painful? does she arch her back? is she quite 'sicky' if yes ask your hv if it could be reflux, my ds is bf and he, amongst other things, quite often screams in the middle of a feed, sometimes doesnt even let go of boob, just screams then carries on!! have been told he has reflux

[lottymadbird]

I wouldnt worry too much about the quantities she's taking because it does vary greatly, they do indeed have growth spurts.

Her weight for her age sounds fine so I wouldnt be unduly worried healthwise.

I would speak to your HV or if not possible go to your GP. If she has reflux there are things you can do about it.

10 weeks is very young, go see your HV, even just for reassurance.

In the meantime you could try changing her position when you are feeding, ie. more upright - sometimes that helps.

[SummerC]

Thanks for your suggestions. The hv is coming to see us next Monday. I'll ask her about the possibility of reflux because it does sound a lot like what dd is doing.

Thanks again.

[Fizzylemonade]

My DS2 fed like a dream until 10 weeks, but as he was my second I had already been through this with my first so knew what it was.

In both my sons cases it was reflux. DS1 would throw up violently and it never bothered him, however DS2 didn't, he had silent reflux and screamed the place down.

Symptoms were, that he had previously fed wonderfully, starting arching his back during feeds, reduced the amount he took, so instead of his usual 6oz feed he reduced this to 3oz. This would take ages to get down him. He would posset clear liquid with white flecks of milk in it hours after feeding. He would by smiling and happy and then wince like he had an awful taste in his mouth and also cough like he had choked.

We went to GP when he was around 15 weeks and were initially put on gaviscon which didn't work, we were referred to private paediatrician at BUPA hospital who diagnosed reflux (my wee one actually sicked up that clear liquid right in front of paed doc) it was £200 consultation.

He was prescribed Enfamil AR (anti reflux) which is a formula that thickens on contact with stomach acid (SMA staydown is the same thing - ie you mix it with COLD water so as not to activate the rice starch and you then heat the milk and they have it straight away)

Our paed doc didn't want to give him medication as he preferred the more natural route at the start. My son was on this from 17 weeks until he was 14 months, but it worked and was fab, it was on prescription so we never paid either.

You could try the SMA staydown, it is available in Boots etc but it is more expensive so if it does work maybe you could then go to the doctors and try to get the Enfamil AR.

Re the amount of formula, check the info on the one you are using. But it is only a guide some babies are more hungry and some eat less.

[Fizzylemonade]

Oooh crossed posts with many others! Must learn to type faster

[SummerC]

Fizzylemonade Thank you for the great suggestions. My dd is doing exactly what your ds did. I'm due to see hv next monday, but I think I might see if I can get in to see our gp sooner.