Feeding - I'm confused!

[firsttimemamaa]

My DD is 8 weeks old & formula fed. During the first 6 weeks of her little life she was struggling with colic/silent reflux. We tried everything you could think of to make her feel better.

At her 6 week check I mentioned this to our usual GP & that I was thinking of swapping her formula to SMA comfort (we used SMA first stage to start). He agreed this was a good idea but she may become constipated & if that was the case to come back and he'll prescribe baby gaviscon.

That night we changed to comfort and everything was fine. DD was happier, feeding well, sleeping well etc. Until late last week when she started straining multiple times a day and nothing coming of it. Sunday morning she strained and the tiniest amount of poop came out. Sunday night she did a 'rabbit dropping' and same again this morning. She hadn't been for a no. 2 for 4 days.

I rang the doctors to book her in to discuss the constipation, then two hours before her appointment she did a normal poop!!!!

I still went to the appointment and I had a different GP as mine is on AL. I told him everything from the beginning and he's recommended I change her back to the first stage SMA and if her colic/silent reflux returns he'll prescribe baby gaviscon. So I told him my GP was going to prescribe that for the constipation.

So I don't know what to do now!
Does anybody use gaviscon for their little one? Should I wait for my usual GP to be back? Should I change her back to first stage even though she's happier on comfort? Was she not actually constipated?

I absolutely hate times like this when I feel completely out of my depth and useless, so please be kind

Edit
I'm also now doubting myself that my usual GP said he'd prescribe gaviscon, seeing as it isn't used to treat constipation. But I don't know where I'd of got that from?!

I’m not sure of any advice really but my dd has similar issues. She fed great instantly and we used tommee tippee and cow and gate after friend recommendations. She was suffering with terrible colic and we tried a few things and finally after trying colieve(sure that it) she started vomiting so we went to the doctor. He suggested changing to dr browns bottles and aptimal and we never looked back. Within a few days she was fantastic. I’m not sure if this helps but just know that we all feel pretty useless when we don’t know what to do for our little ones, ur not alone! Also it’s a learning curve and u will pick things up that help u along the way and soon be advising others. I hope u get it sorted as it’s really unpleasant for dd and for u too! X

Meant to say had lol she is now 2.5

I would avoid changing her formula again. She might have just been adjusting to the change so if I were you I would hang on with the comfort milk for a bit longer and see how she goes with her poos. Gaviscon is for reflux not constipation but it can cause constipation so maybe that’s where you got it from?

We used gaviscon to help with silent reflux. So I'm assuming the dr meant you can stay on the regular formula and use gaviscon rather than try the anti reflux formula- the gaviscon just stops you needing the formula that causes constipation.

Have you given small sips of cooked boiled water? That can help with constipation too.

Yes! What Bearcub says about the water. I know when I had dd they were all for no water but my mum and mil swore by it and it was a god send too!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Baby is happy without the reflux now, and has done a normal poo. Wait and see what happens and if she gets constipation again or not. She may have been adjusting of she may just have had constipation for a little bit as we do too.

Why would you want to give medication if things could be done without?

Also, I agree with the water. Certainly as it's been so hot (unless it wasn't where you are).

Hmmm. I'd probably give it a while more on the newer formula to see if she's just getting used to it. My dd had silent reflux and we tried gaviscon - have her constipation (a very common side effect!)

My son had reflux, tried gaviscon and it gave him really bad constipation. Then tried cow and gate comfort, everything went back to normal for a week or so and then the constipation hit again. I then got advised to swap back to normal formula add 1 sachet of gaviscon rather than 2 and add carobel to make it a medium consistency rather than thick, so only add 2 scoops rather than 3 and that concoction has worked for us, he is a much happier baby. I hope you find what works for your little one

Thanks everyone

We've tried cooled boiled water but she won't have it once she's realises it's not milk! We've also tried it with a little sugar in as suggested by MIL but she wouldn't take that. I was thinking of trying prune juice as a very last resort, has anybody had experiences with that/know anybody who has?

We've decided to stick with the comfort for now as you say if it's not broke don't fix it. Will see if she gets constipated and go from there.

I was debating switching brands completely but the thought of making her even more unwell during the transition makes me nervous.

I was reading up on baby gaviscon after posting this and saw a side effect was constipation - it's like being on a merry go round!

Everything has been fine for the past couple of days on the comfort milk.

We haven't touched gripe water where as usually she was having it at least twice a day. Her wind is coming out easily and doesn't seem to have any tummy pain.

She does still have small reflux issues. Arches her back when I do try and wind after a feed (I just let her relax a little and then she'll let me), spitting up immediately after a feed and then again an hour or so later.

I'm going to ring the GP this morning to see if they'll give her a prescription of gaviscon whilst she's on the comfort milk.

Does anybody know if I can still use infacol along side gaviscon?

I'm also trying to introduce breast milk so I'll probably have a whole new set of problems in a couple of weeks time!

Please don’t give your 8 week old prune juice! Or water with sugar in it. She’s far far too young. Nothing you’ve described now sounds abnormal. Just carry on as you are and don’t worry about more problems unless you ge them.

@PotteringAlong I haven't tried prune juice, I know you shouldn't but she seemed in that much pain I would've tried anything. I was also tried to try orange juice but I'd already read their stomachs couldn't handle the acidity of it. I gathered it'd be similar with prune juice. I'm glad it's sorted itself out

The spit up does seem a lot though and she's in discomfort when it's happening?

Back arching when winding is normal op, so is vomiting. Loads of babies vomit frequently as long as it isn’t affecting her weight I wouldn’t use gaviscon. I am speaking from experience as my dd vomited a lot, we tried gaviscon, comfort milk, reflux milk and carobel until I realised that all of those things made her more uncomfortable. She was happier on normal milk and I just let her grow out of the vomiting. How much are you feeding her? You could try cutting the bottles down and feeding more often

She was having 6 ounces every 3.5-4 hours & a longer stretch through the night. Now she's took herself down to 4-5 ounces for the same timings. I tried doing smaller amounts more frequently but she wouldn't take it. Also I tried feeding on demand but she'd just stick to the same oz and timings.

I'd like to revert her back to first stage with no infacol/gripe water/gaviscon but I worry it will flare up her colic. Or even just stay on comfort with nothing else. I just don't know what to do for the best.

Did you do straight changes with all the things you tried?

Also after saying everything was fine this morning she's done another firm 'rabbit dropping' she hasn't been straining or in pain like before though.