4 month old baby struggles

[Chickz]

I'm struggling. My baby has been suffering with tummy gas pains- crying for almost 2.5 hours a day. I'm giving gripe water and doing everything you can imagine in terms of how to hold her and doing all the exercises.
She also never finishes her bottles and is such an irregular feeder. It's exhausting. She takes ages too- up to an hour.
On top of that she cries whenever I put her down for a nap. She is tired as she yawns and rubs eyes but still cries.
She wakes up loads in the night too - as she wakes after she sleep cycle.
Are all these problems normal? Or am I the only one struggling with all these countless problems.
If only I could solve one of them.

Hi.

I've a 5 month old whiner! You're not alone - come and join us on the sleep board.

A few questions
Does she get wind or throw up often?
Have you tried infacol?
What type of bottle, teat size and milk are you using?
What position does she like to sleep in ( upright, on your chest etc)?
Do you have any type of schedule? (feels like I'm constantly sorting my ds schedule!)

Just things that have affected mine - hoping we can find one of the answers for you both.

She used to throw up as she had reflux but that seems to have sorted itself out.
Yes I have tried infacol! No joy I'm afraid!
Glad to hear I'm not alone!
I'm using dr browns bottles size 2 and aptamil no 1.
Sleeping on an incline works for her - her Moses basket is raised.
We have a bedtime routine which works well. And we also have a small nap time routine of closing curtains, switching on white noise and reading a short story.
I don't know what else I can do! Do you have any suggestions?

Shame infacol didn't help - I think I would try comfort milk, warmed bottles and enforcing a feed routine probably 3 hourly as she is a little ans often eater. ( I've just stared mine on 4 hrs and it is helping him settle and me to stay sane)

Also with the waking after sleep cycles - on a 3hr schedule 45 min maps are fine so you cam concentrate on night waking. I use to sit mine up in hos cot and wind him and then lay him back down either sucking my finger or a dummy as this seems to help with windy babies especially. I made a point of not picking him up for a cuddle unless he was due a feed - of course o don't know if that's why but he does settle more easily now.

Does sound like you've tried most things already though! Hopefully you find something that will help.

Should also have said the advice I was given was too wind after each oz of milk with a mix of rubbing and patting - you won't always get a burn but it's good to try so wind isn't getting trapped under the milk.
And if feeds are taking ages just give less or stop that bottle, but mine is fairly chunky so can afford to skip a little food once in a while while I sorted his routine.

Thank you so much! How did you get your baby on a 4 hour schedule?
I will try comfort milk but I think the milk is thicker so not sure if my size 2 teats will work! Do you know?

As far as I know comfort milk can be used from birth so I'd assume size 2 teats would be fine, I've not tried it though.

He is doing well with the 4 hour schedule and normally manages a good nap 11 to 13.30 with a couple of shorter naps 8-9 and 16.00 to 17.00. We're up at 5am (my choice) and to bed as 18.15 which is when he starts to get cranky. I still let him feed on demand regards to quantity but only offer at the set times he got to use to it pretty quickly.
I just found the 3hr wasn't working anymore, lots of crying when putting him down for naps and not really hungry for his bottles so changed a couple of weeks ago.

Tbh it feels like as soon as we get comfortable in a routine it is time to change it again, next step for us is steping up the weaning, he has veg once a day atm which has really helped limit his constant throwing up, thankfully.

Thanks again. I'll try a couple of new things and will see how it goes.

No problem, good luck!

Have you tried baby massage classes? There are special moves for wind and colic and its quite fun st the classes.

Thank you - we are actually starting classes next week.
It's been a tough week, I've cried so much. I thought things were supposed to get easier after the first three months but they have got so difficult. I wonder if I'm suffering from a bit of depression. I feel like I'm such a bad mum and can't comfort my baby or help her.

Oh chichz, sorry I didn't realise you were so down. It really isn't yourfault some babies ate just harder than others. Really do come and post in the more active boards there are lots of us around.

Can you mum or a sibling help out so you can get a few hours off to rest even that's tv and a glass of wine?

Hang in there though your prob in the 4 monthnth sleep regression - it's does get easier after that.:-)

Hi again! Just realised you asked how I got nine on a schedule. Tv phases him out so I used it gradually to get him to wait an extra 10 mim for feeds. And I walked, etc to get him ro nap ( sometimes gave extra mini feeds ro get him to sleep).

I'll try the tv! My parents are visiting soon so I think they'll be able to help. I really hope she'll grow out of the gas pains soon. It's so hard seeing her in pain. And I wish there was a way I could stop feeling so anxious. Xxx

Hi chickz
Could your LO possibly be suffering from some discomfort from the reflux? Like more of a silent reflux? My LO was put on omeprazol and it really helped her to start taking naps.

How about going to speak to your GP regarding your anxiety? I was diagnosed with PND when my LO was about 12 weeks. I was given a mild dose of anti depressants and it has worked wonders. I'm not as anxious anymore and things like trapped wind don't worry me now, whereas before I would not sleep worrying about what the next day would bring me!!

I don't like to say I have post natal depression, I call it post natal anxiety!!!!!

Has she ever been checked for tongue tie? What you describe can be classic symptoms. Sadly, most HCPs are not well educated on ties and they are missed really often, especially posterior ties.

Did you try to breastfeed? Not judging, but not being able to breastfeed efficiently can also be a sign.

Good article here with list of symptoms half way down

totally agree with mawbroon - it's worth getting checked for TT (though I'm not sure if the NHS will check and treat this if you're ff...)

Get some comfort milk and sze 3 teets. My dd has been on comfort milk since 4 weeks old and I believe it really helped with her reflux. She also had gaviscon for a while but we no longer need that.

Chiropractors are amazing with babies and tummy troubles, I have a friend that specialises. The minutest manipulations can work wonders. Try not to feel too disheartened, in a few weeks these problems will be replaced by new ones and it will all get easier x

Have you ruled out a dairy allergy or intolerance? You could try a soya based formula to test it, though many who are sensitive to dairy are also sensitive to soya. There are dairy free formulas but they taste and smell awful and it can be difficult to get them to drink them! My DS2 couldn't tolerate dairy and was just as you describe. It was horrible. I was breastfeeding though so could more easily cut dairy out of my diet than worry about changing formula. He grew out of it by 14 months BTW.

In case it helps, my DS2 screamed and didn't sleep for months and it was hell. But he is the sunniest, easiest most gorgeous toddler ever now since he grew out of the dairy issue!

Oh and also forgot to say, I had to carry DS2 in a sling constantly. It was the only way he'd sleep. If you don't have a good sling, it is worth trying a couple out.

Really sorry you're going through this!

Yeah I do think I'm depressed and anxious. I'm going to go speak to the dr this week. I'm also going to try the comfort milk and size three teats. I took baby to an osteopath last week but its not made any difference but I'm going again later in the week. I am wondering whether she has some sort of intolerance - something to explain all these problems! Or maybe it's colic? I don't know. Thanks for all your advice everyone. I've been doing massage every night too in case that helps.