Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Flip

Original poster

Five days old with terrible colic

20 replies

MrsDoolittle · 16/02/2006 12:19

Master Doolittle is 5 days old today
Unfortunately the poor baby has terrible, terrible colic.
I have dealt with this before with dd but this little chap is so much more distressed. In fact, had I not experienced this with dd his obvious distress and pain would be frightening me.
I have both colief and infacol, neither appear to be working.

Any geniuses out there with ideas on how to help him deal with this?

OP posts:

chapsmum · 16/02/2006 12:23

the five 's'
swaddeling help him to pass wind more easily
shushhing/white noise
side to side have him lie on his leftr side with huis tummyu to yours
swingin. little swinging motions
sucking either on you or pacifier.

ds had terrible colic and read a book called baby bliss which beilieves that colic is less about pain and more about the shock of coming out of the womb. It believes that some babes are naturally more nervy and less able to deal with all of a sudden being out in the very quiet open world..
It was a god send and he became angel baby for the first three months!

juliab · 16/02/2006 12:26

Poor you Mrs D.
Does it happen after every feed? or just at one point in the day?

MamaG · 16/02/2006 12:29

I echo everything chapsmum said - I also found it very useful to gently lay baby across my lap face down, with her tummy on top of one leg, her head & chest on the other leg and her legs dangling down - hope that makes sense! It applied gentle pressure to her tummy and eased the pain.

Neiehter colief or infacol worked for me, but a friend swore by Woodwards Colic Drops, although I would check with HV about giving to such a young baby, I'm not sure of the age on themm

I really feel for you, it's horrible seeing them in so much pain

Original poster

MrsDoolittle · 16/02/2006 12:33

Thanks chapsmum.
I knew as soon as I held him in my arms he was going to be fussy. He was very active during pregnancyand when he was born he wouldn't stopped moving whereas dd simply nestled into my arms.
I do swaddle him although the midwife discharging me from the maternity unit said that the current recommendation is against it!
The first two nights it was all night and he has slept all day, however last night he's been stressing since 2 this morning and after every feed since, almost non stop in fact. You know how it goes - colic, few minutes rest, colic, few minutes rest and on and on and on

OP posts:

totallyinlove · 16/02/2006 12:35

are you bottlefeeding? if so, get the dr browns bottles. they are a total godsend! honestly! from boots or mothercare. quite pricey. 10.99 for 2 i think but i have always gone back to them despite trying other bottles. I have bought them first time this time around! I also invested in a battery operated swing for when it gets too much and you need some handsfree time. would give the colief a few days to work as well. I found them the best. Isnt there supposed to be a mat thing you can buy now that you can put the pram/basket etc on and it is supposed to rock the baby for you?? cant think what its called but im sure ive just seen it in a baby magazine. will have a look

jellyjelly · 16/02/2006 12:35

Have you thought about rubbing his tummy ina circular manner to help the pain, this worked really well and havingup up right to get the wind out.

Original poster

MrsDoolittle · 16/02/2006 12:36

I'm beginning to think that lying him flat makes him worse. Lying upright against me is the only way he in comfortable. When he has been quiet is when he's wrapped in my moby sling.
Thing is, I could do with some sleep right now

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsDoolittle · 16/02/2006 12:36

I'm breast feeding.

OP posts:

poppiesinaline · 16/02/2006 12:37

Have you tried taking him to a cranio-osteopath?

Original poster

MrsDoolittle · 16/02/2006 12:38

not yet

OP posts:

Littlefish · 16/02/2006 12:42

Woodwards gripe water worked wonders for us. DD had colic from 10 days to 4.5 months and the only thing that really made a difference was the Woodwards - it's just a shame we didn't discover it until she was 3 months old!

I've just checked the bottle and it says not to be used under 1 month... sorry!

juliab · 16/02/2006 12:44

If it's after every feed, it could be more than colic... Does he vomit?

jabberwocky · 16/02/2006 13:04

HAve you tried laying him on his back and gently moving his bent legs towards his stomach? Also, that baby massage thing where you stroke their tummy? Can't remember the exact method but maybe someone else can. The other thing of course is the sling, but I think you mentioned doing that already.

fishie · 16/02/2006 13:14

oh dear, poor him and you it sounds really grim.

ds had frightful colic and none of the lying on lap / tiger in tree etc helped, he was only soothed when upright. the birthing / exercise ball was a godsend, dp or i sat holding him tight vertically, bouncing for hours, this or vibrating bouncy chair was the only time he slept for 6 months.

we did cranial osteopathy too, no idea whether it worked, but something did and it got loads better around 7 months.

Highlander · 16/02/2006 13:20

I'll reinforce what chapsmum said - it worked a treat on DS.

Apparently lying a distreesed baby on thier back is the worst thing you can do.

Original poster

MrsDoolittle · 17/02/2006 22:09

Thanks ladies.
Things seem to be settling down a little as the espisodes are occurring less and less frequently, although still distressing.
I have discovered that putting him lying down is the worst thing.

OP posts:

goldstarlover · 17/02/2006 22:10

another vote for osteopathy here....

expatinscotland · 17/02/2006 22:11

cranial osteopathy. worked for us!

hewlettsdaughter · 17/02/2006 22:31

Hi MrsD - if ds' distress continues, I reckon cranial osteopathy has got to be worth a try. I don't think it helps everyone but for some it's miraculous.

LucyJu · 18/02/2006 09:32

Does ds spit up much? I'm not an expert, but I wonder whether your ds might have reflux? That would tie in with him preferring to be upright and getting even more distressed lying on his back... Just a thought, and, as I said, I'm not an expert.

Flip