Please help- 2 week old bf baby with constipation/trapped wind

[Haylstones]

ds is 2 weeks and struggling with trapped (bottom) wind. He is grimacing loads and waking up crying going purple until eventually he lets rip- sometimes a couple of hours later. It seems to be worse during the night for some reason; often the only way to calm him is to feed him, which I think ultimately makes it worse as it adds to the problem. He is feeding about every 2-3 hours during the day and is quite settled ge]nerally.
Is there anything I can do? We've been massaging his tummy, 'cycling' his lega and tried craniak osteopathy but little luck . I'm now stressing that it's something I'm eating/ not eating that's affecting my milk and upsetting him.
Please advise if you can, I hate seeing him like this

[Haylstones]

Bump...
He doesn't seem bothered by trapped wind i.e burping so this isnb't an issue. Have got Infacol etc but didn't think this would help downward wind- am I wrong??

[phlossie]

Both my babies were windy, my second got very colicky at around 2 weeks. It's quite common in little babies (which doesn't make it any less stressful when it's your baby) to have trouble with their digestive systems, and sometimes strain loads to fart or poo just because they don't know how to do it. Symptoms are exactly as you describe - crying (purple in the face), grimacing, straining, and lots of farting and burping. Babies often cry most between 5pm and 7pm (the witching hour!), though my dd used to be really unsettled from 5ish until about 10pm, so they're all different.
It sounds as though you're doing exactly the right things. If he's hungry he'll feed, and if he's not he may take comfort from suckling so go with it. Massaging, cycling legs, relaxing bath (may have to wait a couple of weeks for him to relax), CO all help. You can try watching what you eat (but speak to your hv before cutting out any major food group like dairy) - personally, I don't think diet makes any difference. Time is what makes the real difference - most babies sort themselves out by 12 weeks, some later. My dd was 14 weeks. Believe me, I know how hard it is at the time, but it does pass pretty quickly.
Also, bf babies don't poo every day. My ds used to poo once a week - apparantly he was an 'efficient feeder'! There's no waste in breastmilk and he wasn't taking more than he needed - so don't worry if your ds isn't regular.
It does make you feel but you're doing the right things and he'll sort himself out in no time. In the meantime, give him lots of cuddles, feed him when he wants to feed, take him out for walks in a sling or in his pram (maybe not in a storm though . And if you're feeling stressed post on here and you'll get loads of support!

[funnybunny1]

My DS2 was exactly as you describe. I found a warm bath would help soothe him and the fact that he could kick his legs freely in the water helped pass the wind and take his mind off him feeling grotty. Reflux and colic are awful - he suffered both. Was a nightmare but we are coming to the end of it now, thankfully. Give the warm bath a whirl when he starts getting uncomfortable and crying.

[LyraSilvertongue]

Have you tried gripe water? it's supposed to help them pass wind.

[Haylstones]

Thanks all. He had a pretty good night last night so I'm feeling a bit more positive this morning. I'm finding it hard because I had a cs and can't drive or walk very far so can't really let us escape from it!
Have got gripe water so might give it a go- he isn't keen on baths yet but will persevere!
As for dirty nappies, he's doing at least 6 every day so it is getting through eventually...
Dd was very colicky but it stopped after one session of CO but it doesn't seem to have helped him much

[Claireykitten]

Dont know whether this will be any help but do you have a dummy for him?

Although DS didnt so much have a problem with trapped wind he was CONSTANTLY wanting to bf in the first weeks and our HV advised us to get him a dummy because he was just wanting to suck at the breast to make himself feel better because sucking/feeding stimulates the bowels to contract moving the wind through. It worked for us anyway. HTH

[kiskideesameanoldmother]

try a tummy tub. fill the water to the deep level and holding him from the armpits (or like me, chin) with both hands, let him cycle (tread water). Dd had a few bottom explosions (in the water) while doing this.

fwiw, gripe water also worked for us too.

and bf babies rarely suffer constipation.

[kiskideesameanoldmother]

rarely suffer true constipation.

[Haylstones]

Agree re constipation, it does seem to be more trapped gas than trapped poo (the things I talk about now ). He's settled atm but will try gripe water if it gets bad later.
I've tried a dummy but am reluctant to rely on it- he took it a couple of times during the night then spat it out before falling asleep but it did settle him so maybe I should persevere! I'm hoping he might find his thumb...

[phlossie]

I just remembered a book that I loved for my colicky los www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Bliss-One-Stop-Months-Beyond/dp/0141007915/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 id=1205238460&sr=1-2

[jellies]

you don't want him to find his thumb DS 1 is at thumb sucker at 5 DS2 gave his dummy to santa for toys at 2..
Agree it sounds more like colic than constipation.. BF babies can absorb all the milk during a growth spurt leaving very little to 'dispose of'

[Haylstones]

Dd had a dummy and it took until her 3rd birthday before she would give it up, hence my reluctance to give one to ds. PLus it meant me getting up loads to replace her dummy during the night even when I wasn't having to feed her!
Funnily enough dd started sucking her thumb after she ditched the dummy but it only lasted a few months.
Dd also had colic and it seemed totally different to how ds is. He doesn't scream or cry, it's more grunting and discomfort

[Haylstones]

And the grunting and moaning stops as soon as he does giant (dh is in awe) trumps