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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Do breastfed babies get wind?

76 replies

Turno1 · 25/07/2017 20:33

I haven't found bf easy but now seem to be getting into the swing of it, however my little one who is now 1 week old, gets terribly grizzly after a big feed I.e 40 mins each breast. I was told by midwives, bf support worker that bf babies don't get wind, but I am sure he does. He trumps a lot and we now wind between breast change and after he does burp, and also gets hiccups. It takes ages to settle him and by the time he does, it is literally time for a feed again so that he does not go over the 4 hours they advise. The cycle is change nappy, feed, gets grizzly, winding, almighty trump and follow through, change nappy, sleeps 30 mins then we have to wake him for feed. It's such a viscious cycle for him, no wonder he is getting distressed, I just want to make it go away for for him. Anyone else have breastfed babies getting wind? Going to try infacol tomorrow. Any tips or advice?

OP posts:
StopShoutingAtYourBrother · 25/07/2017 21:01

Yes bf babies get wind!! At least mine did but I definitely wouldn't be waking your dc up just cos you've reached 4 hours since last feed and particularly not at night!!

Moonflower12 · 25/07/2017 21:01

They do get wind! I've bf 4- over a period of 24 years (obviously with gaps in between!) and they've all farted like troopers. They've all needed winding too.
Make sure your latch is good and see if you can get baby checked for tongue tie if he's not right.
Good luck and well done for getting this far. Congratulations on your LO x

Newmumtobabyno1 · 25/07/2017 21:01

Sorry also meant to add... we found it got worse until around 11-12 weeks. Then there was a huge improvement! Make sure you use infacol consistently as it needs to build up in their system to work Smile

Moonflower12 · 25/07/2017 21:03

Also beware of eating certain foods. With me it was fish and curry.
Another one recommending infacol.

terrylene · 25/07/2017 21:05

OOOOH yes, they definitely get wind Grin

I didn't think so, and nobody told me to wind PFB DS until he was blowing like a trumpet. Caused no end of bother.

We didn't leave anything to chance with DTs Wink

We used to use the sitting up, holding their heads up whilst rubbing their backs and not throttling them technique to start with, and when they got less floppity, draped them over our shoulders, which was more comfortable for everyone, (but parents liable to fall asleep if not careful).

BertrandRussell · 25/07/2017 21:08

I think some babies get wind and some don't. Regardless of how they're fed.

ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 25/07/2017 21:42

Infacol is useless and will upset your baby

What data is that from?

Infacol saved our breastfeeding journey, I'd have moved to bottles if it wasn't for it.

OP there are things you can get to help if 'normal' techniques aren't working. There are some really helpful YouTube videos.

But yes, breastfed babies most definitely do get wind!

purplesippycup · 25/07/2017 21:44

Infacol us useless and will upset your baby! *

What evidence do you have? It helped my baby massively.

Newmumtobabyno1 · 25/07/2017 21:52

And mine Smile orangey burps yummy Grin

beebapshalap · 25/07/2017 21:53

For everyone saying don't wake them, I was under strict instructions to feed every 2 hours (counted from start to start, by the way) and I don't think it's uncommon. Especially if they have been jaundiced, like mine. It took around an hour of feeding, half an hour of settling, half an hour of baby sleeping while I expressed (was unable to bf) then started again. I got no sleep but was still told I had to keep going like that. I can't remember how long for, probably 2 weeks then it went to 3 hours and she naturally woke if I went over it as she was hungry. I think some other mums I knew were told not to go over 3 hours from the start rather than 2 so 4 seems entirely feasible.

Bumply · 25/07/2017 21:54

On the not waking babies - ds1 slept for hours and I thought it meant he was content. Instead it meant he wasn't getting enough milk and ending up with no energy to even cry with hunger. Switched to bottle at 3 weeks when he'd barely made any weight gain.
As a teen he still needs to be prodded into eating enough

Original poster
Turno1 · 25/07/2017 22:13

I was told by the "experts" to not let baby go over 4 hours for a feed. Like they told me bf babies don't get wind or colic. Am starting to doubt some of the expert advice given so far and only have a total of 1 week experience with a baby not the years they have.
Little one has lost weight at each weigh day, next onevthurs so hopefully will have put on. I am logging feeds and duration till he puts weight on.
Normally his feeds are on average 30/40 mins in total. But occasionally he is like a relentless feeding machine and although will unlatch, puts himself straight back on. Or continues routing for a feed. There are pauses inbetween but can be 40mins each breast. And common sense tells me here no wonder he has upset tummy afterwards as his tummy only tiny,
Sometimes he will fall asleep and we do everything to keep him awake but sometimes he won't have any of it.
He normally requests a feed every 3 hours.
Again the experts have watched me feed and all said the latch is spot on, after going through a very low confidence phase with bf thinking I was not doing it right or he was not getting what he needed from me, and I was ready for giving up and going to bottle, they have watched me do feeds and said everything is right.
As a first time mum, there is lots of conflicting advice from the medical experts and it makes it hard and easy to doubt yourself and if you are doing it right for your little one.
The discomfort cry from wind really is upsetting all I want to do is fix it for him.
i am now winding when he breaks off as well as at the end. Trying everything in the book.

OP posts:
ICanTuckMyBoobsInMyPockets · 25/07/2017 22:21

You must be exhausted. It's all so worrying in the early days, but it does get easier, I promise.
Before you know it you'll be 11 weeks in like I am!

DS roots for a feed and actively sucks if he's got wind, rather than being still hungry.

Wind regularly, and try gripe water or Infacol.

We had an awful week around week 6 where he wouldn't wind at all, he screamed after every feed, both of us in tears in the dark of night. I had him on my shoulder, on my knee, rolling him, lifting his legs, and nothing was working.

Infacol saved us! He needed it for about a week, then he was fine again.

StopShoutingAtYourBrother · 25/07/2017 22:33

Babies do need to eat regularly so I understand their concern if baby's not eating and putting on weight. But I'd let baby sleep until he wakes. My ds was a sleeper and in the end I'd leave him for up to six hours but just make sure he ate lots before going to sleep at night.
As for the'experts' - some were priceless others were utterly utterly useless and frankly downright dangerous and confidence sapping.
Follow your instincts. With a one week old that may sound daunting but it's probably the best advice around.

Original poster
Turno1 · 25/07/2017 22:34

Thank you. I was starting to worry I was doing something wrong.

OP posts:
Original poster
Turno1 · 25/07/2017 22:40

Thank you. I was starting to worry I was doing something wrong.

OP posts:
andbabymakesthree · 25/07/2017 22:46

Sounds like you are doing great. Download this guide. Keep in a eye on poo.

realbabymilk.org

NameChange30 · 25/07/2017 22:48

Has he been assessed for tongue tie? Properly assessed, by a lactation consultant or infant feeding specialist, someone who has been trained (not just a HV or midwife as they're not trained on it).

Just wondering, as some of the things you describe can be signs of tongue tie.

www.tongue-tie.org.uk/Mobile/m-tongue-tie-information.html

Newmumtobabyno1 · 25/07/2017 22:50

How about feeding every 2 hours during the day and then letting him go longer at night? Then you know he's getting a good number of feeds and can let him sleep a little longer at night.
I have to say 4 hours sounds like a dream for a newborn. My DS was every 1.5 - 2 hours day and night yawn.

Banania · 25/07/2017 22:53

Yes mine both got wind. I understand why you are waking for feeds as mine were v slow to gain (and lost a lot at first). A sleepy baby can be great but if weight is an issue then you will need to nudge them to feed. It should settle down soon OP and feel less relentless. You are doing great.

NameChange30 · 25/07/2017 22:53

Waking after only 30 minutes seems like madness though!

Banania · 25/07/2017 22:54

Ps agree about checking for tongue tie.

AnnieS1234567 · 25/07/2017 23:00

I used infacol as my baby had colic and it did help him a lot! I still got unopened bottles lol.

Yes..all babies need winding bf or bottle. I did bf. Have tried different position to bf; have your baby more upright whilst feeding, which helped my baby.

Otherwise; always speak with your health visitor and your GP with any concerns! Your son might have colic or reflux with is painful for them. Midwives are not medically trained - I find them useless! I suffered from thrush and midwives told me it was because my baby did not latch on properly. Total bs! Any concerns go to the GP and turn to your health visitor.

NameChange30 · 25/07/2017 23:03
Hmm Midwives have a damn sight more training than HVs.
Dandelionrarrrr · 25/07/2017 23:03

I was told the same bf babies don't get wind. Ds1 bf no wind no sick. Ds2 needs to be taken off to be winded and is sick quite regularly.
what a contrast from my first experience I would have never have believed bf babies needed to be winded.
Good luck and enjoy.