Please help dd is clearly in so much pain

[TinyDiamond]

Dd is 6 weeks and ebf. Pretty much since my milk came in she has been very sick after feeds, quite alot up to an hour afterwards and nowadays she is incredibly distressed when she is sick aswell. She will have periods of calm followed by periods of screaming and writhing in pain and there's nothing I can do to stop it. She needs to be kept upright, preferably over a shoulder for at least 40 minutes afterfeeds too.
I saw the gp at 2 weeks regarding this and mentioned reflux, he told me nope too early and to carry on as I was. I then saw him again last week as she had a bad cold-said same thing. I am aware that only gaviscon is initially prescribed anyway and I have no way of administering it as I cannot get anything out with a pump and do not have the time to hand express.
Last night she had a period of screaming in pain that pretty much lasted from 6-10, my mum said this could be colic...any thoughts on that? I just feel so sorry for her and I'm knackered too with frequent feeding taking up to 30 mins then keeping her upright afterwards it hardly leaves any time before it all starts again.
Sorry it's long advice appreciated

Ps is that correct or should I do this one feed on the left now? Arrrgh

I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. It is horrid. My DS1 had reflux. I remember his being a happy settled baby for about 10 days (if that) then this hideous "colic" started. He was sick a lot. He cried, a lot. He writhed in pain, a lot. His little kness went up and down when he cried. All that soothed him was sitting next to the hoover when it was on. Sometimes I would do this just so he wouldnt cry. He also liked to watch the washing machine when it was on spin. Also I would put him to sleep in his baby bouncer as then he was asleep on an incline rather than flat. Sleeping flat makes it easier for the acid stomach contents to travel up and hurt them.
As he was gaining weight well (he was ebf) no one was particularly bothered about the crying, or to be honest even picked up he had reflux. And now I think well it wasnt colic it was reflux and he was in pain.
It was a friend who suggested it was colic to me. She saw him being sick and said - oh your ds has reflux. Her daughter had it too. Then at the 8mth check I saw a different doctor and he said oh ok he has reflux and prescribed gaviscon.
Maybe you could get one of those pillows that props babies up in bed. I think they are triangular in shape so the head is higher than the tummy. Also try putting you baby in the bath. That calmed my DS.
It will get better though. Maybe you could try your health visitor? She may be able to get a prescription for you. I always knew something was wrong. But I couldnt put my finger on it. You know you own baby. The Gp shoulds like an idiot.

Heather its strange you say that about the Hoover as since this started (less than a week old I'd say) the only thing that soothes her is White noise. Played very loudly. Or a drill/hairdryer/extractor. The bath thing is still a no go as she absolutely HATES being naked still. Baths (which are v frequent due to all the sick and she has long thick hair where it sticks to aswell) nappy and outfit changes are a complete nightmare. We had a horrendously traumatic delivery so the theory is she likes to be wrapped, clothed to feel more secure. Swaddling worked nicely for a bit but she is too strong now with all the writhing about.
Is there some sort of device other than a bouncy chair or sling that would keep her upright so she could be comfy in it and I could get stuff done? She's too young for a door bouncer anything else that they sort of suspend from?

What are you swaddling with? I use jersey blankets with ds as they have enough stretch to be able to swaddle him really tight without hurting him!

I really hope that dealing with your oversupply is going to help. If not, ring your gp practice and demand a referral to a gastro-paed as an urgent thing. Do not accept that weight gain = no problem.

If you fancy a bit more reflux support, head over to our delux support thread. We all have a good moan and swap ideas. Be good to see you there.

And I agree with the overwhelming feeling. Your gp is a total arse. Once you have your referral change practices.

Not sure if this helps much but my DD was very similar. She'd just scream and scream after a feed and it was impossible to put her down. At the time it felt like forever but in reality it took til she was 9-10 weeks before it stopped. But it DID stop. I thought it was reflux and tongue tie, all kinds of things. I tried Infracol etc but it made no difference. I had to walk around all night with her and she wouldn't lie in her pram when out during the day... so so tiring.

Looking back, I'm pretty sure it was oversupply that caused it. I had a really fast let-down and she would choke on every feed. I had mastitis, boobs like rocks, the lot. After 9-10 weeks my supply calmed down and it was like magic for my DD. Overnight she became a much more chilled baby. I also avoided citrus.... don't know if you've tried that?

What helped me during the dark screamy times was lounging on the sofa with her lying on my chest - she would relax and sleep and I'd vegetate in front of Jeremy Kyle. If (like my DD) keeping her upright stops her screaming, then keep her upright and find a way to make it comfortable for you. It won't last forever.

By the way, your doctor sounds a complete pillock.

Oh, and have you tried a beanbag? My DD wouldn't sleep in a cot or a pram but liked lying semi upright, snugly cushioned in a cloth beanbag.... And she would relax a bit if sucking my little finger. It would help her drift off for half an hour or so....

Really feel for you both!

The Miracle blankets work really well for babies that thrash their way out (although are not super cheap- maybe try ebay?). They have a sort of foot pouch and then arm swaddles. They were the only thing I could keep DS in.

Agree that your GP is an arse, and really hope you manage to resolve this.

The Miracle blankets are fantastic, I have them and they have a long long bit that goes round and round. Have to say ds looked so cute. But even at three weeks I've had to stop using it, the thrashing just made it look like he was a magician trying to escape from a straight jacket. Am going to try it again though when the heat has calmed down.

Btw I didn't know fast let down could be a problem, can someone describe it too me. Have a feeling I might be ticking that box too just from the name.

Fast let down often goes with an over-generous supply.

Signs of this are

• baby gains weight more quickly than most - anything from 250g a week or more (roughly 10 oz)
• baby splutters sometimes with the difficulty of coping with supply
• when the baby pulls off his face gets flooded with spurts
• apparent discomfort during and/or after feeding
• explosive poos
• mother often full and uncomfortable
• mother leaks a lot

Not all signs are necessarily present.

HTH

Thanks tiktok will bear that in mind

OMG your doctor is a prize idiot! seriously sometimes I wonder if they get taught anything about breastfeeding in their training, because they sure don't show it! I'm glad you're getting some help now.

Been doing the block nursing since 1 pm yesterday. Not seen any improvement yet. To be honest if anything things are worse. Have had some rather embarrassing leakage/ spray issues today :( will keep with it though.

I have been doing a 4 hour stretch on each side. I think it's going to have to be longer to make a difference as sometimes 4 hours is just one feed.

Too soon to see a difference, tiny, and yes, you might need to extend the gap.

Tiny, just a word of warning - not sure if tiktok concurs, but try to stick it out at the 4 hours for a bit longer before extending the block. I found that I got impatient for improvements, went too long on each side then DD fed far, far too much because the supply dropped too far, and I ended up back at square one. So maybe try to stick to 4 hours for another day or two before deciding to increase the duration of the block.

Well done for persevering, you're doing brilliantly in the face of a really miserable problem :)

Good idea, beararse - yes, prob sensible to give 4 hrly more of a chance first, tiny.

My dd had horrific reflux so I do feel for you.

You can give gaviscon to an ebf baby - I did. Just mix with a little bit of water and give in a bottle prior to feed (instructions on packet). Though tbh gaviscon never did much, but it's worth trying.

I'm sure it's already been mentioned, but position is very important to refluxy babies. A bouncer is great as it holds them a bit more vertically and helps. I got a vibrating one and it was literally a lifesaver.

Don't worry it does get better, usually around weaning. I was advised by a paediatrician to wean early because of my dd's reflux/colic and it made a world of difference.

Update: gp still being an idiot and for the first time out of 4 visits I have walked out with a prescription. Unfortunately it is only for 30 sachets of gaviscon (as per instructions this is only 2.5 days worth though...?)
He told me I could have it but 'she'll probably choke on it' and that I can't have ranitidine as 'it would give her a stomach infection'.
I am gobsmacked that he is still being like this. I had to really fight for the gaviscon and he didn't even know that you could give it to bf babies. Just told me AGAIN to stop bfeeding.
Also, I have a friend who is a gp and I spent two afternoons with her this week she said that dd's is the worst case of reflux she has seen in a while and she needs ranitidine for the acid.
So depressed, just want her to feel ok and for feeding to be a nice experience rather than a nightmare.

Oversupply update: still block feeding 5 hour blocks, can't do longer opp side literally bursting after 5 hours. I think it's starting to make a very slight difference to the speed of the milk flow but let down still the same and still too much milk

You need a new GP really he is such an ARSE. Can you start looking round for one now?

If he is like this about bf what about all the other childhood ailments you may end up going about...

I think it really would help you.

Yep I am getting a new one when dd wakes up we're off out again to find a new one. Was planning on doing this anyway for ages, now I really need to!