DS2 is 14 weeks and ebf. He's been difficult to feed since about 2 weeks old, lots of screaming, pulling off, back arching as well as thrashing restless sleep, runny nose etc. He's now on ranitidine for silent reflux (since about 8 weeks) though I'm finding it very difficult to tell whether it's making a difference or not.
He's happier and more settled in himself now in the last couple of weeks and will lie flat on his baby gym for 20 mins or so and is not screaming so much but is definitely still uncomfortable during feeds, squirms and bobs on and off after only a few sucks, farts a lot and has very watery poos, often during feeds. I cut out dairy for 2+1/2 weeks and it didn't seem to make a massive difference but now I am wondering whether he's worse again since I restarted dairy last week.
However he seems to be gaining weight ok (following the 75th centile pretty much, 2 weeks ago) and is hardly ever sick so does that mean dairy intolerance is unilkely?
I am tying myself in knots trying to figure out what is causing what and am also getting quite demoralised by what seems like a constant unenjoyable battle to feed him. He never seems very hungry, usually only has 5 or 6 feeds in 24 hours and it feels like it can take 30 mins for an actual 5 mins of feeding time due to his reluctance to feed. At the moment I'm finding that jiggling him slightly during feeds to distract has some benefit and also feeding him when he's sleepy when sometimes he'll drop off and have a better feed. But generally you would think I was trying to poison him when I offer him a feed.
Should I try going dairy free again but for longer? Is this still the reflux but just getting a bit better? Any other suggestions? I fed DS1 for a year and it was a lovely experience. This is just hard bloody work!