Feeding difficulties - Baby not happy

[HopHopALady]

I am bottle feeding my 3-month old son and he's having issues. I was feeding him at 7am, 11am, 3pm, 6pm, 10pm and 4am and most of the feeds started with a lot of crying, back-arching and strange abdominal noises that resembled tummy-rumbling when hungry. I found that he would take the rest of the feed if I stood up and walked around.

Someone suggested he could be frustrated at the flow-rate of the teat. I changed it from a 2 to a 3. Same issues occurred.

Someone else suggested I should feed more frequently. I fed him so far today at 7.30am, 10.30am, 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Same issues occurred.

We tried Infacol. The jury's out on that one.

The only feeds that seem to go OK (touch wood) are the night feeds at 10pm and 4am.

Any similar experiences? Any advice?

Mmm I would suggest reflux is a possibility - the back arching and crying point to that. Basically it could be silent reflux (heartburn) where the stomach acid comes back up the throat and hurts. My DS has this.

The night feeds are probably fine because he's sleepy and doesn't notice the discomfort.

If I were you, I'd speak to your GP - mention the arching and crying. See if you can get infant gaviscon to try.

Sometimes reflux is caused by intolerance to cows milk. You can ask your GP to prescribe hypoallergenic formula which has the cows milk protein broken down although I hear it tastes rank! Alternatively you could try comfort milk which you can buy in the supermarkets.

Thanks very much Igglybuff. He seems to have always arched his back since birth but the last day or two have been a lot worse. Am trying Gaviscon again today (had previously been given this following his 6 week check when I discussed this issue with the doctor but stopped giving it to him as I wasn't sure it was doing anything). Let's see what happens... If that doesn't work, I might try changing brand of formula before discussing intolerances with the doctor. Someone suggested that might help.

Thanks again!

No worries! Gaviscon is usually the first thing they try -we had it and it made some difference but not enough. So I did some research and asked for ranitidine which was much better.

You could also try feeding holding your DS more upright and with the spine as straight as possible. Also keep upright for 20 mins post feed and wind gently.

Good luck!

Update
Tried the "Comfort" formula - didn't help and DS got frustrated at blocked teat as milk so thick! DH also frustrated as formula didn't seem to dissolve into water as well.
Went back to doctors. She gave us Ranitidine - 0.5ml 3 times a day (DS is over 8kg). DS had two doses yesterday and three doses today. He seems worse, if anything, more vomiting (not projectile), screaming more. Am considering stopping it already but have read some posts saying it takes 1-2 weeks to show any benefits. What these posts don't say is if the symptoms were worse before they got better.
Any further help/advice/thoughts welcome.

Update
Tried the "Comfort" formula - didn't help and DS got frustrated at blocked teat as milk so thick! DH also frustrated as formula didn't seem to dissolve into water as well.
Went back to doctors. She gave us Ranitidine - 0.5ml 3 times a day (DS is over 8kg). DS had two doses yesterday and three doses today. He seems worse, if anything, more vomiting (not projectile), screaming more. Am considering stopping it already but have read some posts saying it takes 1-2 weeks to show any benefits. What these posts don't say is if the symptoms were worse before they got better.
Any further help/advice/thoughts welcome.