She can't just be a miserable baby can she? (8 wks old) - sorry long post

[Lisa229]

By miserable (doctors words), I mean crying all the time. Ruth is 8 weeks ago and apart from the first 2 weeks (when she just slept and fed), whenever she is awake in the day and not feeding, she is crying 99% of the time. I really think there is something not agreeing with her but I can't put my finger on it.

She is ff (approx 7am, 10am, 2pm, split feed at 5pm and 6.30pm, then in the night somewhere between 10pm-12am and then again at 3am). Roughly 3-4oz each time in the day and 2-3 oz each time in night. Weeks 3-7, she did seem to have terrible wind so we tried colief (which did work but gave her really explosive runny poos so we have stopped), cranial ostepathy (even 1 session seemed to help) and now just giving gripe water and the burps seem to come up really well so I don't think it is colic/wind. When she has her milk, at some of the feeds but not all, she is on and off like a yoyo, sometimes holds her breath, cries between drinking the milk, arches her back and it can take a good hour to feed her. She doesn't vomit though. And she is not particularly up all night crying, its generally in the day.

Am I just being paranoid and need to face the fact that I have a baby that cries more than usual and it will get better. I thought it might be slient reflux but she doesn't have all the sypmtoms. I think the doctor thinks I'm worrying about nothing as she is gaining weight and is on the 91st centile but I just feel in my heart that something is not right but don't kno how to solve it. You lay her on the mat, she cries, in her bouncy chair she cries, in the swing she cries and sometimes even holding her doesn't console her.

Also doesn't like sleeping in her cot in the day, but thats probably another story.

Thanks is you have got this far and I hope someone can help.

Lisa

Nasal drops for her nose as well, sorry forgot to add as we are coming back into 'cold/cough' weather. Also snuffle babe on the top of babygro.

Don't let GP fob you off. IME if your baby is still gaining weight ok then medics refuse to take seriously. I almost wish I'd fibbed and said my DD wasn't gaining weight - then I would have been given every test going.... as it was it took a long time before I worked out the lactose intollerence for myself. Be VERY firm at the GP's.

After reading your post your dd sounds exactly like mine was at that age. I was feeding my dd aptimil but it really didn't agree with her. Some one suggested Cow & Gate Comfort and it really worked. If I can remember I think the lactose is partly broken down in it so the formula is easier to digest. I think this is definately worth a shot.
The milk is alot thicker, so you need faster flowing teets I used the avent ones with three holes. It does make their poos absolutely reek, but for a settled baby it was worth it.

I had the GP appt before the oseopath.Doctor was very good and gave me the Enfamil AR to try and said if it didn't help to come back and we'd try lactose free. Oseopath said he thought it was milk intolerance and suggested Nanny Goats Milk formula.

I have started her on the Enfamil to see if it helps over the next 48hrs otherwise I will get the lactose free. Which is the best as I have been told about nutrimegen and also SMA LF or should I try the goats milk? Who'd have thought there were so many milks to try?

Also does anyone use NUK bottles as I was told they are better than Dr Brown for reflux?

Lisa - I could have written your post!!!!!! I was at the end of my tether with my DS he just cried constantly.

At about 6 weeks I took him to see a CO which helped (two sessions) then I switched him from SMA Gold to Aptamil Stage 1 formula. It took about a week but then he was a different child.

We tried EVERYTHING you did but the above was the only thing that worked.

I know it seems ENDLESS but they do generally get easier around 12 weeks too.

BTW, he did have reflux too and the Gaviscon didn't do a huge amount. He still has it now and he is on solids (bleurgh) - he is 8 months old.

Well, the saga continues....

Started her on Enfamil AR at bedtime last night and settled pretty well but took an age to drink it. But then woke every 3 hrs as opposed to before where the first wake was 4/5 hrs and drinking more milk than she normally does. Today, only slept at lunchtime for about 30 mins even though she was in the carseat which is normally guaranteed to send her to sleep and crying most of the afternoon whilst catnapping and waking up. I really don't know if it was overtiredness or the milk that wasn't making her unhappy. Gone to sleep now so we will see what the night brings.

Maybe I am expecting too much of an improvement...