Breastfeeding a gassy baby

[sahar451]

Hi Ladies,

I have feeding problem with my little son, its really nerve racking and I just wondering if any of you got the same problem.
He always been a bit restless when it comes to feeding time; agitated , wants to be on a boobs as quick as possible and then after few minutes starts back arching and cry because of being gassy and sucking too much air( no matter how correct is my feeding position!), But last 5 days he's been worst, from late afternoon he spitted up most of his feeds and all night grunting and moaning quite loud, trying to poop but he cant! Both of us hasn't slept for 5 nights on a row! I can hear his tummy rumbling and I tried Gripe water and infacol and also baby Gaviscone, no change happened.
I do completely breastfeeding, tried to mix some formula with my milk to give him, no chance do far :( Please help me, and if you suggest to add any formula to his diet pls let me know which one you think is the best. I really appreciate your help.

Sahar

my 7 week old dd was doing this. the health visitor diagnosed reflux and the gp agreed. She is taking ranitidine for it - gaviscon was too hard to get down her (dd is ebf) and when I have managed to get a full dose in her, it's given her bad constipation.

I have been feeding dd at a more upright angle, did some block feeding to lessen oversupply. that's helped a little, but it's the medication that dd really needs just now. I have been eliminating dairy from my diet too, to make sure there isn't a food allergy causing dd's reflux.

but am interested in any other pro tips. my dd takes in a lot of air when feeding too. wind and reflux are a lousy combination.

@probablyjustGas: thank you for reply, I think I should try to see paediatrician, its silly that i have to see GP first to refer me. Its really sad to see my DS in so much pain, last night he had only one hour sleep
You are absolutely right about Gaviscon, I have it to him couple of night ago and he didn't poo for two days. I'll ask for Ranitidine, hopefully that works.

Our LO was breastfed (now mixed fed, but due to weight issues) and was very gassy. Infacol didn't work, and he was too young for gripe water at the time.

I have now found that by burping him more during feeds he is much more settled all the time, but can be very fussy at the boob still. I guess he's just a windy chap and needs to be burped every few minutes when feeding.

He also has reflux, and is on gaviscon and ranitidine (gaviscon was a nightmare to give in the beginning, but three weeks on he's used to it and gulps it down mid feed!). Both work in different ways...gaviscon thickens the milk to reduce the chance of it coming up, and ranitidine neutralises the acid so it isn't painful if it does come up. We also keep little man upright for half hour after feeds, and he sleeps on an incline. We also put a pillow under his head when changing his nappy...all seem to help him a bit.

I hope you get sorted, as its awful when they are uncomfortable :-(

How old is LO?

Generally I would say that introducing bottles/formula may add to your problems if you are happy to continue breastfeeding.

-get checked for reflux
-express a little bit off before the feed so baby isn't gagging if you have a fast let down
-as others have said, upright after feeds and wind, wind, wind
-moses basket/cot at an angle

Ah thank you for all those kind reply, he's 8 weeks old and he's got no problem taking expressed milk in the bottle( using Dr. Brown one) , but when it comes to formula, no chance:( I'm trying to get him in some sort of routine, he used to fell asleep soon around early evening after his massage, but its been couple of nights he wont sleep up to midnight and even when he does, doesn't last more than an hour or so. He's crying and don't let us to put him flat, feels like he's painful to touch, and keep throwing up lots of cottage cheese type vomit. So upsetting to see him so sick , I almost did all the things you recommended but still no sign of improvement. Thanks for posting me, all the suggestions and advices would help me a lot xx

I think he has reflux..... sounds like most of the symptoms - make appt with GP first thing and post back. Lots of knowledgeable people about who've dealt with reflux.

Poor you and baby :(. You'll get through it :)