Help! windy bf 10 day old. Getting tired and frustrated!

[ratfly]

My baby is now 10 days old. We got off to a good start with bf and he fed every 2 - 3 hours or so. Lots of wet and pooey nappies etc.

Over the past 3 evenings, he has been feeding constantly for about 4/5 hours. I think it is a growth spurt, and the feeds are actually running into each other - i.e. lasting 45 minutes, put him down, then feed again in about 10 mins.

The real problem is that he is so windy. Each feed is taking up to an hour (sometimes over) and he cries with wind throughout. Pretty sure it is wind, as he has the grey moustache and is curling his legs and looking pained on his face. Once he burps, he settles to feed again, only to get windy again after a few mouthfuls. After repeating the feed, cry, wind pattern for several hours over the last few evenings, I have been reduced to tears.

Any tips about reducing wind in him, or actual winding techniques would be much appreciated as I am getting to the end ofmy tether and am not looking forward to his next feed anymore....

It is godawful, and I really feel for you. You just have to get through this phase, don't feel (in case you did) that quitting bf would make it better, it won't!

Have a look at Pewari's Colic Resources this talks about some holds and things which are particularly good for winding. Keep baby upright as well, don't just lie him down between feeds.

You might also want to look at your diet and whether there's anything windifying in that? (My mum has a theory that bf mums shouldn't drink champers because my sister did once and her dd had HIDEOUS wind afterwards, but I'm guessing you're probably not getting stuck into the Bolly every night!).

All the best.

Have you tried different positions and had the latch checked ? Could something you have eaten/drunk disagree with him ? Cluster feeding typically in the evening is normal behaviour but discomfort isn't .

Lizs - I have been varying positions within the feed (between winds), but not had my latch checked - how can I get that done?

Also, something I noticed which may be adding to problem is that one breast sprays the foremilk. He latches on, gulps, then comes off and milk sprays everywhere. How can I prevent this?

Both my bf DC had bad wind/colic, especially DS. I had a friend who was fab at winding - she had 2 of her own and had been a nanny before that. Sit DS on your lap with him facing you. Then hold him round his chest with your hands and sort of rotate him. By that I mean push him back then to the left then forward then to the right and so on but in a smooth way (IYSWIM). Just keep him going round in this circular movement a few times. Can be in either direction! Then take hold of him under his arms and dangle him, if I was sitting on the sofa I would lean forward with him and dangle him over the floor, just letting him sway back and forth. If you get it right you can make sure the head doesn't flip around with your hand. Then back to the lap for a few more circular movements. Sounds more complicated than it is... honest . Works a complete treat. Showed a friend last week with her 2wk old and she was burping like mad. Good luck.

ratfly,I don't konw if it could be termned 'wind'.
Some babies are just like this.
Sad but true.
I know,mine was horrendous.

Have you tried bouncing vigorously on knee front down?

Also cranial osteopathy can be very helpful.

ratfly
dont be worried about the spray, theres plenty of milk in there for him. can you get a little bit of respite in the evening those feeds sound incredible long. 45 mins is common but 10mins later seems a bit odd, i am not the expect at all, but i had a hungry ds and dd and i did 45 mins feeds initially maybe afer week 3/4 they'd be only 20mins.

a little bit of infacol might help.

and look at your diet.

check out kellymom.com for loads of tips.

Just seen your last post. You may have a strong let down as well. I did and although I had loads of milk which was great it did make colic worse. Mine would gulp and scream, although it does settle down in time. The Kellymom BF site has good advice here . Are you near any BF councellors or a BF drop in clinic or any support from your hospital? NCT helpline also fantastic. I was a weekly visitor to my BF clinic and they helped tremendously with positioning and making sure latch was OK. Sorry its only a quick note, kids about to go to bed. Will check back later!

A breastfeeding speicialist can observe and perhaps adjust the latch. Call one of the helplines or ask your MW/ HV if there is a drop in Brestfeeding clinic or cafe in your area and some BFC's can do visits.

I need to add a message to bump it up to the top again. Just had another 3 hour feed - feeding, fussing, winding - and need as much advice as possible.

While in the throes of windiness (if that is what it is) he also refuses my nipple at times when he looks hungry, and can cry while on the nipple.

Help!!

I need to add a message to bump it up to the top again. Just had another 3 hour feed - feeding, fussing, winding - and need as much advice as possible.

While in the throes of windiness (if that is what it is) he also refuses my nipple at times when he looks hungry, and can cry while on the nipple.

Help!!

Hi again Ratfly.
It might help if oyu could talk it over with a breast feeding counsellor.Try the Assoc. for Breastfeeding Mothers helpline

0870 401 7711

ahh that spraying milk - makes me almost nostalgic.... something that might help a little (?) I found i needed to burp dd partway into the feed, i know the websites will be full of good advice, my personal experiences are; dd liked being held in the 'tiger in the tree' cradle hold and having her back rubbed to ease windiness. also sometimes i thought she was hungry again shortly after a feed, but actually it was mild reflux (all connected to immature oesophagal reflexes??) so putting her down at a 45 degree angle not on her back after feeds helped her digest and then she did not cry for milk so soon after the feed - am i making sense (am a bit tired?) good luck it's a frustrating problem

Hi again everyone, and thanks for the helpful advice.

Yesterday was still a long feeding session, but less frustrating as I tried some of your ideas and also we were kind of expecting it.

The funny thing is that his nightime feeds and daytime feeds are mostly stressfree. He is feeding through this time period at roughly 2 1/2 - 3 hour intervals, and feeding for about 45 minutes on 1 or 2 breasts. Also, my let down is not so spraylike during these times.

I am preparing for this evening, expecting frequent feeds and possibly wind too. The idea that it is mild reflux and not actually wind or more hunger makes sense, so I will try to keep him upright after feeds to help him settle. I have also avoided orange juice and grapes like the plague, and have also tried Wags winding method (it worked!).

Wish me luck!!

DS had bad colic. I cut out all dairy from my diet - reluctantly, I confess, but it worked like magic. Colic was gone pretty much overnight.

haven't read the whole thread but wind really can kick in at this age - both my dd's suffered and i sympathise with you.

my advice would be for you to cut out all caffeine and dairy (no starbucks lattes for you for a while!). Do make sure you wind well, in between feeds if necc. Really watch what you eat, keep it bland.
Fennel and chamomile tea is good.
Homeopathic chamomile granules (boots) are good too for the baby.

Hope this helps - and remember it does pass, "just a phase, just a phase" x

this is a good bouncer chair by the way as the upright position is really quite upright - perfect after a feed.
If you don't already have one i really recommend it.

Wags winding technique posted on 30th does work a treat, tried it on 15 week old dd and had great sucess today. Thanks wags any other sound tips especially around daytime naps, she has no more than an hour in the day!!..........