7 week old and struggling to cope

[Firsttimemummy204]

Desperately needing some reassurance and advice. I have a 7 week old who cries continuously every waking hour. No amount of comforting will provide any relief and he cries endlessly all day. I don’t no how much longer I can cope. He is being treated with the maximum dose of omeprazole and after a failed trial of Aptimal Pepti we have started Neocate today. He will scream in pain with an arched back and legs pulled up despite burping well with Dr Browns bottles. He is in great distress when passing wind and can go nearly a week with no movement again creating great upset. It’s so hard to see him struggling every minute of the day. Does any one have any advice? When will it pass? I have another little boy who I can spend no time with as I spend every minute trying to settle baby. I can’t cope much longer and I feel so low and helpless.

[Lockdownseperation]

Ask on the Facebook group for CMPA there are people on there who are very knowledgeable about different dairy free formulas.

[Georgielovespie]

I have been there with Ds2 having severe acid reflux but we were lucky that is was eased, not fixed, but eased with a prescription anti-reflux formula (this was 14 years ago)

Are you keeping him upright as much as possible? Winding with gentle stroking rather than the patting? More people will be along shortly to help better than I can. On the advice of the paediatrician we gave Ds2 a dummy, propped his cot and he slept upright on me in the day.

It is awful when they cry in pain. Just know that you are not alone.

[Freewanderer]

Ok, so I have had similar issues. Have u asked for a referral to the allergy clinic? If it’s a true cow’s milk allergy, there are 2 types - Ige and non- Ige. The former results in immediate symptoms like swollen lips etc, and the latter presents with a delayed picture (sort of how you describe) - reflux, skin changes (eg eczema) and possibly poor weight gain. You don’t need every symptom. The allergy clinic can look into it for you and give you access to a dietician who can help you with weaning.
Have you had baby weighed?
Have you tried gaviscon regularly prior to the PPI? The other drug that sometimes gets prescribed if no success with a PPI is domperidone, although this may have been linked to cardiac issues.
I would say, get some help from anyone you can to give you a break. Get the GP to make a referral and see how you get on with Neocate.
It’s truly awful and soul destroying.

[Freewanderer]

www.cowsmilkallergy.co.uk/Growing-up-with-CMA/Weaning-a-CMA-infant/

[Freewanderer]

www.bda.uk.com/resource/milk-allergy.html

[Freewanderer]

Those are in case it is definitely a cow’s milk allergy and you need help later on.

[Firsttimemummy204]

@Georgielovespie @freewanderer thanks for your reply. No referral to allergy clinic. GP and HV have said if no improvement in 2 weeks they will refer to paeds but I literally can’t even see how I’ll manage till then. We have had two days now on Neocate and his reflux has been out of control. He is in so much pain although I feel a definite improvement in CMPA symptoms. I’m just at such a loss. We haven’t tried gaviscon. We tried Carobel and it was terribly constipating so I’m reluctant for anything similar. Although realise may have no choice with current situation. I feel so robbed of any nice newborn moments and a total prisoner in my own home as i cannot even take him out due to the screaming. Just can’t see a way out. He is following the 50th centile perfectly and there are no weight concerns. We have raised his cot, keep him upright after feeds, wind carefully, use Dr Browns bottles and tried cranial osteopathy.

[Georgielovespie]

@Firsttimemummy204 we paid to go private, I believe for the initial appointment it was £200 but I have no idea if you can afford to do this yourself.

It is incredibly shit waiting to see if a particular formula or medicine takes effect. We fortunately had a great GP who was happy to refer us and we were seen within a few days.

Could you do that?

[Freewanderer]

Gaviscon constipates too unfortunately yes. I have a friend who is a GP who suffered too with her baby. She found a dummy helped and, I’m sure you have tried this, reducing feed volumes. She recommends asking for allergy clinic due to dietician access. But then again, maybe paeds can help with that? Glad weight is ok. Can you get anyone to give you a few hours off?

[Freewanderer]

I wouldn’t wait 2 weeks though for them to refer. You can always cancel appointment if you feel you no longer need? Can you call again and explain how desperate you are?

[Firsttimemummy204]

Thanks again to you both. Yes we could afford to see some one privately and there is a paediatrician in a local hospital who specialises. I think this will need to be our next step. I have great support from my husband and parents but it’s still just so so hard. He takes a dummy and is so much more comfortable when he sucks but will only do this for a minute then spits out. We’ve tried numerous brands. Hopefully a better day tomorrow.

[Freewanderer]

Yes, if you can afford, call up on Monday. It’s so bloody hard because you feel you are the one who is ultimately responsible. Sorry, I can’t think of anything else to suggest, but if I do I’ll get back to you.