Fussing/thrashing around on bottle

[katiecubs]

Wondering is anyone could offer any help/advice? My 9 week old is getting increasingly fussy on the bottle - he used to feed like a dream but from around 4/5 weeks he has been writhing around on the bottle and pulling off and screaming like in pain. He's still hungry though and wants more milk but goes back on and does the same thing.

It's really affecting the amount of milk he is taking and it's hard to get 2/3oz down at a time (he used to take 4oz at just a couple of weeks old!) this morning he only took just over an oz. It's now affecting his sleep and he is getting unhappier by the day - have asked the HV and GP but as he is putting on weight ok (due to constant feeding) they are unconcerned but i can't stand seeing him like this.

Anyone experience anything similar?

Katie x

Is it possible he needs a burp? My ds is breastfed but sometimes does the same - wriggling and thrashing about, latching on and pulling off again - and it's because he needs a good burp before continuing.

If not, is reflux a possibility?

Hi Moonunit - i keep trying to burp him loads and using infacol/doctor browns etc nothing seems to help.

I have thought of relfux as he has many of the symptoms and is sick a bit - often milk just runs out his mouth if i change his nappy after a feed (which i have to do as he often poos while being fed) the HV doens't think so though as he does not have a problem being laid flat which apparently reflux babies hate.

Anyone else?

someone on another thread recommended this site

www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz/Symptoms.htm

just checked it out re my own dd and will be making appointment to see gp tomorrow.

good luck - it's awful, isn't it?xx

Hi Katie,

This sounds very similar to me, my girl is now 3 months and it has got worse, not easier! Don't knwo if wind or reflux- docs not particluarly helpful nor HV - say the same about as she will go on her back not reflux but the signs in the link crying over spilt milk sound very similar to me. I am geting very stressed and really nervous each time I have to feed her.

xx

Thanks Cardamomginger - that sites really helpful!

Bunka, am also getting stressed and dreading each feed :(

Went to the docs this afternoon after a pretty bad day feedings wise, 2oz max with lots of wailing and back arching. They were actually really helpful this time and suggested thrush, i have drops to treat that (not actually convinced it is!) but if not then they will look at relfux or milk allergies.

Really just want an answer as it just can't be right for DS to be in so much pain, feeding should surely be enjoyable!

i was going to suggest checking you LO for thrush as that can cause the kind of fussing you describe.

Trapped wind will also do that. DD was terrible for trapped wind and it made feeding so frustrating and stressful.

We used gripe water and dentanox colic drops which helped and also made her formula up with camomile tea which helped loads.

if is thrush, get some dactarin oral gel as it is much better than the nystatin which is commonly prescribed by GP's for oral thrush in babies.

Thanks for the tips Sugarplum.

Mylife - sorry you are having to go through this too but as you say helps that we are not alone, please let me know how you get on with the milk/x-ray etc as sounds like it could possibly lead to a solution for me too!

BTW i do dreamfeed but my little one only takes his usual 2/3oz!

Im new to mumsnet but coming looking to see if anyone is having similar problems - my little one has been doing exactly the same thing for the last two weeks.

Has anyone found any solutions for this or reasons why?

Thanks!

Hey Rosie - welcome!

No solutions yet i'm afraid, i have drops for thrush so hoping that might be the answer

• will let you know!

How old is your LO and what are the symtoms?

Hi Katie,
Have consultant's appointment tomorrow, but had a telephone consultation with him already. He says definitely reflux and very probably also lactose/cow's milk protein intolerance too. Do press your GP for a referral if you feel things are not resolving. There's a thread here - something like support for parents of babies with reflux. I found the posts really struck a chord with what DD has been going through - you might find it helpful too.
Good luck XX

Thanks Cardamomginger - was it easy to get a referral then? Please let me know what the consultant advises it would be really helpful to know. Hope it goes well and you get a plan of action!x

was very easy to get referral, but our gp is very interested in this area, so she was quick to spot the problem. so far dd is on ranitidine 1ml 3 times a day and we have switched to nutramigen formula (unfortunately for medical reasons i can't exclusively bf). although it's early days, she is improved to a degree so i am hopeful we will get this sorted. where abouts are you? the consultant we are seeing dr anthony cohn is at watford general - is this near you? btw - only got a telephone call with him cos he is my dh's mate! will let you know how we get on.... X

Glad you seem a bit closer to sorting it all out - feeding should be enjoyable for both of you so it's very hard when it becomes a struggle.

I'm in Hove, will chat to my GP again if the thrush stuff doesn't work - as DS is gaining wieght ok though (or has been need to get him weighed again) i'm never sure they will actually care.

Good luck today! x

Hi Katie,
Saw consultant on Friday who confirmed gastric reflux and cow's milk protein intolerance. Apparently DD's poos have been all wrong and she's had bad diarrhoea. Feel really upset and like an incompetent mother about the diarrhoea - although I guess in my defence this is DC1, and I'm still learning my way about what is and is not normal for babies, and I did keep asking the MWs who kept saying that her poos were all normal.... Her poos on Nutramigen are COMPLETELY different and fortunately she produced a dirty nappy when we were in the hospital so the consultant could see it and confirm that that is what they are supposed to look like. Been told to keep on the ranitidine and keep on the Nutramigen 1 formula (am mixed feeding). We should be able to get some of this on prescription - it is over double the price of normal formula. Obviously the reflux aggravates her oesophagus, so this needs time to heal and the cow's milk protein intolerance aggravates her bowel, causing a colitis like condition, so this also needs some time to heal. She should continue to improve over the next week/10 days. We have a review in 3 months but told to go back sooner if things don't continue to improve or they get worse. He said there are tests they can do on their poo to test for the presence of certain sugars that will give a diagnosis of an intolerance - but given that she's already been switched over to the Nutramigen and that the treatment if the tests came back positive would be exactly what we are doing, we decided it was both unfair and pointless to put her back on normal cow's milk formula to get a poo sample to test.

He said that babies usually grow out of the intolerance at between 9 and 18 months of age. We will need dietician's help with dairy-free weaning though. And she should grow out of the reflux as the sphincter between the oesophagus and stomach matures and gets stronger.
Really wish you luck with your DC - do push for a referral if things are not going well.

X

Thanks for the update Cardamomginger - great news that you have some answers now. I would have no idea what diarrhoea would look like either by the way, babies poo's are very soft anyway!

Things here have seemed slightly better over the last week or so. Not sure what has helped but DS is taking more milk and is happier - still fussy and sick at times though. I have some Infant Gaviscon from the doctor but have not used it yet as have heard it can cause constipation and i don't want to add to his problems. I'm just going to see how it goes for now but it it gets worse again i will ask for a referrel like you.

Really hope your DD feels much better soon x

Hi Katie,

My LO is 9 weeks now and still seem to be having this problem. Some feeds he's better than others though - often after a long sleep?

So did your LO's problem turn out to be thrush or did you try the gaviscon?

Hope things improve for you soon x

Hi Rosie,

I don't think it was thrush in the end no - the Gavison really seems to be working though - he is feeding calmly now and taking 4/5oz at each feed. He was also better on some feeds that others and some days than others but fingers crossed it seems over the last few days the fussing and arching has gone!

Gavison just works but thickening the feed which stops it coming back up the throat while they are trying to drink, as it doens't go into the bloodstream there is no harm giving it a go to see if it makes a differance to your LO? You need to get in on prescription form your GP though.

Good luck x

glad gaviscon is helping! xx

Hi Katiecubs,

Im not having much luck with my health visitor and GP. Are you finding that gaviscon is still helping?

Thanks x