Night-Time Colic and Constant Feeding

[Flossie69]

Hi there hoping for some help here:

My DD is now 3 weeks old, but was 3.5 weeks early. She was 4lb 10 when born, now weighs just over 5lb. During the day she feeds then sleeps, but has started the occassional sicking up. But between 12am and 4am, she cannot settle, has tremendous wind, sicks up lots, and then wants continual feeding. ( I am bottle feeding)

I have tried to going from no.1 teats to no. 2 (Avent), as she was taking a long time to feed, but this has increased the amount she is sicking up, but it is early days with this.
Really not sure what to do as I am getting exhausted at night and quite frustrated. Should she have more awake times during the day?

Sorry this is all a bit mixed up and rambling, but any advice gratefully recieved.

TIA

I had this with my ds (now 7, so hope advice isn't too out of date). He was about 4 lb and 6 weeks early. I really feel for you because it is very tough on both you and baby. My ds would drink a whole bottle then throw the lot back up, and I would have to start all over again. Early evening and during the night use to be real trigger points.

We switched to Dr Browns bottle which seemed to help with the colic (don't know if they still do them). He seemed to feed a lot better and the teats were softer.

Also used to swaddle him, and walk up and down with him. If you have one of those swings, the movement of that can also help.

At various times we tried differnt milk and Infacol but am not convinced these helped.

Things did improve, and the time between each episode got longer. When I started weaning it went completely. Good luck.

We found Colief colic drops excellent. They contain an enzyme that predigests the sugar (lactose) in milk and makes it easier to digest.

My ds crying stopped within 24 hours of using this stuff. It's £9.99 for a small bottle, but was well worth it.

Don't feed constantly either as it will make things worse. Buy a soother and that may help.

Thanks for your comments. I try not to feed constantly - getting to her to sleep on me until it is at least two hours since she started her last feed. It is sometimes tricky to tell, thoug, as she may take a part feed, then say 45mins later take the rest.

I have tried giving her s dummy, as DS1 used to love his, but she is not interested.

Will give the Colief a go, and see how we get on.

it could be reflux rather than colic, my first DD had this and the symptoms are very similar to the ones you describe. we were pescribed infant gaviscon which worked imediatly, the babies throat can feel burned from the stomach acid causing discomfort. also reflux is more common in preterm babies. good luck

No advice, but I feel your pain. My DD is now 18 days old and 12 til 4am is her key time for constant feeding, wind and screaming too. She is angelic during the day and just sleeps, feeds and coos a bit, then as soon as I try to go to bed she gets really fractious and feeds constantly (I am breastfeeding) then the last couple of nights she's started posseting as soon as I put her down. It's a nightmare and I am counting the time til it passes!!!

My LO is 13-months and had terrible difficulties with bottles. I just wanted to say that I bought and tried every teat and bottle on the market at the time and was amazed how different they all were and how my DS reacted to them. We eventually found 1 bottle and 1 teat style from 1 company that we still use to this day that worked for him.
Definately worth trying the bottles and teats before going for more medical soultions.
We also had reflux problems and propping the cot up on bricks at 1 end worked a treat and continues to do so today.

After 1 relatively good night, and another dreadful one, and reading comments here and on another thread, I and DH are sure DD has reflux. We are going to give the gaviscon a go to begin with, and if that doesn't help, go to GP for something stronger.

It feels good to have a plan, now roll on better nights. Thanks everyone for your responses - I will let you know how we get on!