Intolerance or normal?

[catlikereaxtions]

I have an EBF 4 week old who every night since he was about 2 weeks old strains and pushes loudly bringing his knees to his chest all night. I’m getting literally no sleep at night because of it so a bit desperate. Other symptoms he has:

• his poos over the last week or so have been stringy and today have been much more runny and brown in colour
• he has a bit of a blocked nose
• he often brings up milk occasionally this is very thick (not sure why)

he otherwise is happy, doesn’t cry excessively, no issues feeding, has very good weight gain and does do regular poo / wee.

im wondering if it’s an intolerance to something or just general newborn baby grunting in the night.

in the day he strains and grunts a bit but not to the same extent as he does in the night when it is impossible to sleep through

You say he doesn’t cry excessively, so you don’t think he’s having pain?

I don’t know if there’s anything wrong, but could there be something in your diet that’s affecting him?

Purely anecdotal, but my cousin’s baby, EBF, had dreadful issues with her tum, and it turned out cousin was eating too much dairy (cheese, pizza with cheese, milk and ice cream). When she cut that stuff out, baby did better.

Also considering giving up dairy to just see if it makes a difference after tonight’s nightmare night.. how long does it take to notice a difference?

thanks Lizzie, no I don’t think he’s in pain just discomfort / gets frustrated, I’m going to try cutting out dairy and see if it helps as I can’t continue with literally no sleep!

I’m really sorry you’re both having such a hard time. I would imagine if it’s a dairy issue, it should be evident pretty quickly. Certainly within 48 hours. And that would be a pretty easy thing to at least try.

If not dairy, also look at any “gassy” veggies if you’re inclined to eat them. Brussels sprouts, broccoli and the like. Also beans.

Hopefully someone else who is more experienced with EBF will happen along and might have some other ideas.

Ah I’m glad I came across your message - experiencing similar. Our 6 week old boy is EBF. We haven’t slept for more than a 45
minute window since 3 weeks!!

Agin, doesn’t excessively cry, been gaining weight no problem.

About 2 weeks ago he begun to show signs of suspected silent reflux. Suddenly wouldn’t be laid on his back, if he did, it would end it episodes of choking, gagging, coughing, hiccuping and crying.

In the last week the symptoms have changed again. 3 days of explosive diarrhoea nappies, and spends 4-5 hours a night grunting in pain, clearly trying to pass wind / poo. This starts about midnight and eventually he does an explosive nappy about 4:30AM which settles it briefly. He is 100% more unsettled at night and will generally only sleep on his tummy on my chest!

Ive been to a chiropractor to try and have a look at it and they also suspect he has had something unsettle his gut. I was on antibiotics for 8 days back at the end of August, possibly this?

thinking of making a dr’s appt tomorrow…

I’ve also started to trial dairy free but think it is more lactose intolerance as he isn’t being sick, no excessive crying, no rash! but stomach is bloated / hard and the grunting is the worst, he sounds so so uncomfortable 😣

Hi op,

Don't cut out dairy as it can cause a drop in supply and at this stage your supply will only be getting established. You should do this with professional support once other issues have been ruled out first.

I would speak to your health visitor first and see what she says about the nappies and ask for a referral to the infant feeding coordinator/ lactation consultant at the hospital you gave birth in.

My ds was awful with wind, really uncomfortable and grunting etc and very loose mucusy nappies and I queried cmpa but this isn't actually as common as its made out to be and oversupply and a posterior tongue tie were the culprits. You'd want to get those things checked out first before you start limiting your diet. That's not to say it can't be cmpa but just that it could be other things too so you'll need a proper investigation done.

I would also join a reputable breast feeding support group (la leche league are fab) and they'll have trained leaders who can support and advise you as well as peer support from other mums who've been there.

It's really hard in the early weeks and it would be so much easier if they could tell us what they need. Hopefully you get support and get to the bottom of it one way or another!

I don’t suspect CMPA (he doesn’t have a rash / he isn’t vomiting and doesn’t have bloody stools) but I suspect silent
reflux caused by the lactose intolerance.

He has minor tongue tie, this was picked up when he was born but due to him being EBF, The fact he is gaining weight and no issues when feeding, they no longer offer to resolve this. Both my HV and Midwife have advised this is new practice.

I am seeing the HV Thursday so it’s on my list to discuss!

The excessive grunting in pain is heartbreaking to watch!

Interesting about oversupply because I do think o have a fast let down. Any tips on how to manage this effectively welcome - surely if I block feed / express so he can have the hind milk this creates more supply? I’m a bit confused how to manage this

Phyllis - please do let me know how you get on and I’ll do the same, sounds like we are having the exact same issue!

I went to doctors today. They’ve prescribed infant gaviscon - said they need to resolve the reflux first before looking into the intolerance! So I have 2 weeks to try this out…