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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

colicky baby - should I introduce formula??

11 replies

loomer · 16/03/2006 09:33

I probably shouldn't even put this query 'out there', as it seems daft even to me, but...

My eight week old DD is exclusively breastfed and has been colicky on and off for the past five weeks. My mum has asked me on several separate occassions (when I've been offloading my frustrations with the situation) whether I would consider trying her with a bottle of formula. I have always dismissed this suggestion straight away, believing that colic doesn't have anything to do with the 'quality' of one's breastmilk, and also in the back of my mind thinking that if it stems from some kind of lactose intolerance this would be exacerbated by giving her formula.

However, since the colic is ongoing and nothing we have tried so far has sorted it out, I'm starting to wonder... could my mum in fact have a point?! I have no idea where she gets her information from, but is her suggestion founded in reality?

Any information appreciated!

OP posts:

hunkermunker · 16/03/2006 09:37

Nope. She's talking arse, IMO.

Formula could very well upset his tummy and cause more problems.

Colicky babies often sort themselves out after about 12 weeks, so you don't have long to go. Bfeeding will be comforting to him - he's less likely to suck air in when breastfeeding.

nailpolish · 16/03/2006 09:39

agree with HM

Flamesparrow · 16/03/2006 09:39

As far as I can tell, they still don't really know what colic is or what causes it. Some people go with the wind theory, some with head problems (cranial osteopath), some with general labour trauma (chiropractor). I don't believe that changing to manmade milk will help - if you go with the wind theory then you can try some of the colic drops? You could try limiting the lactose in your diet if you think it could be lactose intolerance related.

I swear by the chiropractor - took DD and it had a magical effect. DS is only just reaching 3 weeks and has been being treated for another reason - I guess only time will tell if it prevents colic.

That is all just my thoughts on it though...

Flamesparrow · 16/03/2006 09:41

I swear by the chiropractor - took DD and it had a magical effect. DS is only just reaching 3 weeks and has been being treated for another reason - I guess only time will tell if it prevents colic.

That is all just my thoughts on it though...

katierocket · 16/03/2006 09:41

no she definitely does not have a point. It's nothing whatsoever to do with your breastmilk and formula won't help get rid of it.

How bad is it? We tried cranial osteopathy on DS and although it wasn't a miracle cure it definitely helped. There's tons of useful stuff on this site on colic, have a look at the archives and you'll find some really helpful info tips.

You've not got long to go before it goes.

tribpot · 16/03/2006 09:43

I agree - colic is not going to be helped by introducing a bottle with all the extra air problems that come with that.

Original poster

loomer · 16/03/2006 09:59

Thanks folks - exactly my thinking if I'm honest!

FWIW we've had three sessions with a (highly recommended) cranial osteopath, which seemed to help at first, but she relapsed on Sunday and is now once again as bad as she was two weeks ago. I have an appointment with a chiropractor tomorrow morning. We're also using probiotics, giving her Woodward's gripe water and I am trying to limit my intake of dairy, caffeine and 'windy' foods (like beans!).

The wierd thing is that it varies from day to day as to how bad she is, and last week we had a really nice time with her not screaming - so it's even more frustrating now that we seem to have taken two steps back... grrrr....

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 16/03/2006 10:02

Try keeping a food diary to see if anything you eat coincides with her being worse. In most cases, what you eat has no effect but it's worth trying.

Flamesparrow · 16/03/2006 10:05

I'd be interested to hear what your chiropractor says... Mine was telling me that he is treating 4 babies at the moment, and 3 of them have a problem at the top of their spine and it gives them problems turning their head to the right - we're intrigued now about how many more have the same thing! My DD had the same thing wrong with her (which is why I'm hoping that the treatment will stop DS's before it starts).

Original poster

loomer · 17/03/2006 17:30

Well, we saw the chiropractor this morning, and he has treated the middle section of her spine - apparently the bit where the nerves which run into the lower digestive system are sited. They were very tight, and he has loosened them. All very gentle, and DD slept through the whole thing. He did check the spine coming out of the base of her skull, but that seems to be fine.

So we'll see if things improve over the next few days, and go back to see him in a weeks time.

Interestingly the health visitor weighed DD yesterday, and she's put on over 1lb in two weeks, so no worries about the breastmilk not satisfying her!

OP posts:

Flamesparrow · 17/03/2006 17:43

:) My DD always slept through her treatments too. We saw the head paeds chiropractor yesterday, and she said that DS's neck is bad, which is why its taking a while to fix :( I think they over worked him though as he's been miserable ever since and he's normally much happier.

Hopefully your little lady will give you a great night's sleep tonight, and will stay much happier. (Oh, and yay for the weight gain )

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