is caffeine a problem in my milk??

[FOZZ]

my 4.5 week old DS has terrible gas (like his father!!) exclusively B/f and I do try to wind him as much as possible but get very few burps. Gas is from the other end I'm afraid and he really suffers. he wakes up straining and writhing in pain like theres lumps in it. Tried infacol but this doesnt seem to have an effect and it mostly seems worse at night. Could it be all my cups of Yorkshire tea affecting him with caffeine?? Very new to all this b/f - would appreciate any advice

I'm not sure if the caffeine is the cause of the problem, but I would probably cut it out until your feeding is well-established. Could you try herbal teas or some other non-caffienated drinks instead? I drank bucketloads of Rooibos tea which has no caffeine in it at all, but it can be a bit of an acquired taste!

Fozz, are you sure he is in pain? If all he is doing is writhing, then he may not be uncomfortable and this is just what he does when he wakes a needs a feed

I lived on Yorkshire tea in the early days. I know they recommend avoiding caffeine but I just couldn't. No proof of anything of course.

No idea what's causing the problem but Yorkshire tea do a decaff version if you are trying to cut down!

thanks for messages... glad to hear no suspected link - think I'm a bit addicted to the regular cuppa (could be worse!) Have bought some gripe water so may try that if windyness continues.

my eldest had the most awful colic and I went through all permitations of diet alteration you can imainge - no dairy, no caffine, loads of camomile tea and NOTHING MADE A DIFFERENCE!

I am sure if you were downing 8 double espressos a day it would be cause for concern but IME you need a cuppa to get you through these early baby days.

congrats for establishing bf - you are doing fab!

Good information from Kellymom as usual

In essence, possibly yes, but it may not last for too long

Baby farts are the worst thing ever for some reason. I don't think that b/f babies need as much winding as bottle-fed babies as they tend to drink slower than them. The only thing I can mention is do avoid grapes whilst b/f as they can give tiny tums gripes later on. Perhaps you could try massaging his tummy in smooth longish strokes in a downwards motion next time he starts writhing? It might ease any trapped gas out - but be prepared for a stinker of a nappy afterwards!

i had very windy babies - totally cutting out coffee and tea did make a massive difference for me. Fennel Tea was great (but an acquired taste!)

it was so hard, all you want to do in those early days is sit around, bf, drink tea and eat cake with your visitors!

Fozz, my ds2 is 6.5 weeks and I could have written your post myself! We're having EXACTLY the same problem - he just seems really uncomfortable after feeds, esp at night and doesn't really burp. I too suspected caffeine and have cut it out for now and he seemed a little better for it, but not sure if it's anything to do with the caffeine or not. I'm eating so much chocolate, which also has caffeine in it, that I can't imagine a couple of cups of tea would make much difference! I suspect he'll just grow out of it as his digestive system matures. Sorry no real advice to offer, but just wanted you to know you're not alone.

Thanks for all the messages and support (thanks midnight - good to know I am not alone!!) Love mumsnet - new to all this and have read lots of books but this sight invaluble. Have had some success with more burping so I think as he gets older - you're right - his digestive system seems to be adapting everyday.

had a sneaky cuppa this morning though

Caffeine (from my milk) never made my ds colicky, but it did stop him going to sleep! I ended up giving up tea as a result....