PLEASE HELP! Multiple problems with 4 month old

[LMonkey]

I really don't even know where to start. She was fine until about 12 weeks, slept through the night, feeding often but well, pretty happy baby. Then she started experiencing discomfort during feeds (breastfed), she would suck for a few seconds and pull off in apparent discomfort, feeding has become a nightmare. First of all I thought it was wind from fast milk flow, I have since come to suspect that it's silent reflux. GP has prescribed gaviscon but is not sure himself what is wrong, he just said that the HV's know best (the HV has said I am probably right). The gaviscon slightly helps I think. Also a few weeks ago she started waking up once in the night, then a few weeks after that it has become twice a night. Both have coincided with having her jabs but never went back to normal. The worst thing is that she is difficult to settle after feeding and sometimes won't go back to sleep unless she is on me. I don't think this is reflux related, it just seems like she is wide awake. She also screams all the time unless she has my 100% attention or she's feeding. Very difficult as I have a 2.5 yr old who I just don't get to spend any time with. She won't take a bottle so no one else can help. I tried giving her some formula today to try and keep her fuller for a bit longer as she feeds all the time, every hour it seems, unless we are out and about and she's in the carrier. She only took a dribble of the formula as didn't take the bottle but it made her sick which reinforces my suspicions about the reflux issue, so maybe I should give up dairy. I also tried a dummy today as a last resort but she didn't take to it, maybe she will in time and it will hopefully help. She chews her fingers a lot which often makes her gag. Could be teething but how do I know? I can't see or feel any teeth. Sorry for the epic post but I am at the end of my tether. She is lovely and happy when she is not screaming! It seems that when we are at home or just staying still she is worst. It seems like things are getting worse not better. Any advice would be appreciated as I am starting to feel rather down about it.

[Ragusa]

The fact that she vomited after cows' milk formula makes me think cows' milk allergy. Possibly. Although it's pretty rare in breastfed babies.

Coul you ask a lactation consultant or LLL for advice?

[Turquoiseblue]

My Dd was like this when she had Trush - worth checking our maybe
Hope you find the cause

[cestlavielife]

Is she still.growing and has times when she happy smiling etc ? Get a referral to a paed if you concerned ypur gp sounds useless

[PaulineFossil]

She sounds like my dc1 at that age, 4 month sleep regression and reflux were just awful. Easier for me as I didn't have another child to deal with, but we spent a lot of time just walking so I could stretch out the gaps between feeds as I found this helped with the vomiting. Never really did get to the bottom of it and it's all a bit of a blur, but I know it did start to improve from 6 months. Not much use, I know, but you have my sympathy and I hope things improve for you all (dc1 is now a very bright, bubbly 4 year old).

[PaulineFossil]

Meant to add, please do go back to gp and hvs, try a different gp if necessary. I still feel guilty that dc1may well have been able to be a happier baby if I had pushed harder. Instead I saw a gp who clearly thought I was just neurotic so I gave up and ploughed on.

[DrLego]

how is she herself otherwise - colour, weight, growth, alertness, eyes, etc?

[LMonkey]

She is a very healthy colour, alertness great - maybe even too much, she barely naps during the day. Eyes are fine, growth/weight seem to be fine although has slowed down a bit but the last HV I saw seemed quite happy with this. She is still happy and smiling but mostly screaming!

Hadn't even thought of lactation consultant Ragusa, would that be through referral from gp?

Thanks

[Crazyqueenofthecatladies]

Hyper alertness is another sign of a food allergy. I'd definitely be questioning keeping dairy and soya in my diet.

[PaulineFossil]

Mine hardly napped either and stopped completely at 18 months. Still a live wire now.