Reflux & Colic Baby - help!!!

7 replies

VCuratolo · 15/07/2021 09:44

I have a six week old baby who for the first two weeks was so content and a good sleeper, and since has been absolutely miserable; constantly crying, grizzly and unsettled. My first son was the most chilled baby with no problems it's a shock to the system. I can't believe how different they are. After so many GPs kept giving me all these possibilities (he's got diarrhea, he's constipated, it's reflux, it's colic, it's an allergy, it's an intolerance), my sister-in-law suggested I just go to A&E so he would be seen by a paediatrician which he was.

The paediatrician was lovely and said he has GORD, colic & Infant Dyschezia. He prescribed Omeprazole which seemed to work at first as he went from refluxing after every feed to only one yesterday, and now he's really refluxing a lot after every feed.

He seems more miserable as each day goes on. He won't let me put him down, he won't let anyone else settle him but me, he's constantly upset, screaming at night, not sleeping long periods. It's just so horrific to see him so upset. I don't know what to do. The paediatrician said it's definitely not an allergy and unlikely to be an intolerance and it's impossible to know - I gave up dairy for a week and saw no difference - and the paediatrician told me to carry on eating dairy and everything else, but my HV (who I can't stand!!!) said 'well it all still points to a dairy intolerance to me' - so she thinks her opinion is superior to a paediatric expert who trained for seven years!!! But it's stressing me out, like am I doing this to him by eating dairy?

Did anyone who's baby had reflux and colic give up dairy and did they see it helped? And more importantly, how long did it last for you? The dr, my mum and husband keep saying it'll be better at three months but I'm not sure I believe that. Im so scared, I can't do this, I'm not strong enough. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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MyGrassIsBrowner · 15/07/2021 09:52

Didn't want to read and run and I'm sure someone will come along with some better advice than me, but can you try him on a bit of formula, see if that makes a difference? Burp him often throughout the bottle. I didn't have a great experience with breast feeding first time as my DD wasn't getting enough from me so I cant advise much on that front. If you really want to continue with the breast feeding though, cut out dairy for a week and see if that makes a difference? If he's really in such a state it would definitely come across as something much more than colic. I hope you get sorted OP. There's nothing more stressful and upsetting than a baby who wont settle I feel your pain. X

StarDanced · 15/07/2021 09:53

Hi my DS is 16 weeks. He had reflux and colic, but nowhere near as bad as your son. My health visitor suggested I cut out dairy which I have done now for 12 weeks. It has made a huge difference to his colic and we no longer have issues with this. It hasn't affected the reflux- he still brings up lots of milk but seems less bothered by it.
I wouldn't ignore the pediatrician but you could try cutting out dairy as well and see if it helps. It takes a few weeks for it to help. Wishing you all the best

Original poster

VCuratolo · 15/07/2021 10:14

@StarDanced

Hi my DS is 16 weeks. He had reflux and colic, but nowhere near as bad as your son. My health visitor suggested I cut out dairy which I have done now for 12 weeks. It has made a huge difference to his colic and we no longer have issues with this. It hasn't affected the reflux- he still brings up lots of milk but seems less bothered by it. I wouldn't ignore the pediatrician but you could try cutting out dairy as well and see if it helps. It takes a few weeks for it to help. Wishing you all the best

Thanks so much for your reply. This is really useful to know, thank you! I gave up diary for a week and then started eating again because the paediatrician said to not cut anything out of my diet yet, but I keep hearing how it makes such a difference and is reassuring to hear it helped with your son. Can I ask when the colic stopped? Is he much happier now? Thanks so much for your advice.

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StarDanced · 15/07/2021 14:18

We used to have 2hrs of crying in the afternoons and unsettled nights due to colic but that stopped about 2-3weeks after cutting out dairy. I had some without thinking and it caused some colic to return for about a week. I'm not medically trained but his colic did seem to be linked. He also reacted to soya so I would suggest either almond milk or oat milk.

Original poster

VCuratolo · 15/07/2021 18:53

@StarDanced

This is so useful, thank you!!! Did you ever reintroduce dairy into your diet after your baby got over colic? Or did you not eat dairy at all the whole time you were breastfeeding? Thanks so much for your help xx

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StarDanced · 16/07/2021 13:38

So ds is 16 weeks and we have just started a slow reintroduction. He has been fine with milk in one cup of tea in a week. However I had tofu on Monday evening and ds had a bad tummy last night and was struggling to pass wind/poo. I think it might be related although I can't find any info on how long it take food to pass into breastmilk and when it might affect a baby. I may try a little cheese soon and see what happens although I'm hesitant as I don't want to make ds uncomfortable. I will let you know how I get on. If he reacts I will probably just keep off dairy for the rest of the time I'm breastfeeding.

Original poster

VCuratolo · 16/07/2021 14:10

@StarDanced

That's brilliant you're able to have some milk in your tea and I'm so glad he's feeling better! That's interesting about the tofu. It's so hard to know what can cause bad wind isn't it?! I really appreciate you getting back to me and your advice - honestly appreciate it so much, thank you!

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