Toddler with trapped wind at night

[Tellytub]

Hi, I am new to mumsnet. I have a ds 18 months, who has suffered terrible tummy pain and trapped wind since birth, being unable to sleep for any length of time at night. He has seen so many docs but we are told that he will most likely grow out of it. We have had trials avoiding all sorts of foods but it seems that all food upsets him. I am constantly searching the internet on information on toddlers with abdominal pain and trapped wind and came across a message on mumsnet from Fimbles who has dd, same age as my ds, with near exact symptoms. Alas the message was posted at the end of 2003. I am desperate to find out if fimbles found a cure for her dd but unable to contact her by CAT messaging. If anyone knows or is in contact with fimbles I would be most grateful if you would let her know of my message. If anyone else has any advice to offer please help. My son has recently been started on Lactulose 10 ml twice daily and Senna 10 ml at night. Initially he passed a lot of wind and slept pain-free for 5 nights but his symptoms recurred and he has been in agony again for 2 weeks. There is also a question of silent reflux and he has been on Ranitidine syrup for quite a while but again we are not really sure if this helps. He also now seems to be in pain, holding his bottom, when passing stools which is maybe once or twice a day.

[tavileh]

Was reading through this thread for a while, going through the same thing with my now 16 month old. We did all of the allergy testing, exclusion diets etc, but all came back negative and the paed told us it would stop eventually. Given she was waking up hourly, that didn't work for me, so I looked into other options!

I was recommended an Osteopath, so thought we'd give it a try. I didn't expect much from it, we tried Osteo when she was tiny and it made no difference. This time, oh my, it worked!! 3 days after the first session, she slept through the night!

He said she has a lot of tension in her abdomen which could be causing the problem, he stretched it out (lots of crying), and it seems to have made a huge difference. It currently seems to wear off after about a week and a half, we're having our third session this week, but even when it starts to get worse again it is still hugely better than before!

Wanted to share for any others who might be going through the same thing!

[Tan8]

Just seen this post after several sleepless nights of my 1 year old suffering with trapped wind.
She is usually such a happy little girl but seeing her so upset with trapped wind is awful especially as other people have said around teething. We have tried infacol, gripe water, coileaf. Infacol she became immune to gripe water made her constipated coileaf is just not working anymore. Standing up rocking her from side to side sometimes helps but the best way we have found is letting her crawl around and play and honestly the amount of wind that comes out is shocking. She eats very healthily and on oat milk still just the same issues. I've ordered some fennel drops to help and going to try fizzy water during the day. Feels like shes nocturnal bless her although I'm sure shes loving playing at night!

[Sandell]

Hi there, know this post goes back a long long time now but want to reiterate all the previous messages about how much this has helped me feel less alone.

We have struggled with out boy's wind since he was 2 weeks old (now 16months) all the usual diagnosis were thrown at us in the first year (dairy intolerance/reflux etc) but nothing seemed to be helping.

Exactly the same symptoms as many of you, when he was little it would effect him in the day but now almost solely at night. How often we're told 'oh but he seems fine' when you have to sit up with him in pain night after night.

We finally got to see a paediatrician just before he turned 1 and his immediate thought was fructose/fructan intolerance, it was the first explanation that made sense and we have started to see an improvement since trialing how to manage it.
For us this includes:
Most fruit reserved for morning/lunchtime
Cutting out certain foods (wheat, peas, onions and garlic especially bad for us)
Massage at hip points before bed
Warm water or watered down milk to help him pass wind at night

With this in place we're down to 1 or 2 wakes a night which is more manageable than it used to be.

I've seen some other useful posts on mumsnet directly related to fructose/fructan intolerance - had never heard about it before our gastro paediatrician appointment though.

Have been told he should grow out of it but the stress of his broken sleep and limited diet have made me second guess myself constantly. (we're still off dairy for now and haven't even dared tried pulses!)

Thanks to this post we're going to try talking to a local homeopath and kinesiologist (if they don't cost the earth!) and see how that goes- fingers crossed.

Good luck to everyone going through this xx

[Pinkbox27]

Hi there nit sure if you will see this message but I came across your post from 2009 where you wrote about your then toddlers gassyness at night. I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you managed to find the cause or solve the issue As I am having the same issues with my toddler and have found no answers. Many thanks for your reply x

[Twoboysbothwindy]

Fingers crossed for you! Hopefully not!

When we realised there was a constipation a d wind issue I thought....ah ok, annoying but we've done this before. Oh no...the second fella has completely different triggers and needs!

Having said all that, I think the more of us that share our stories, the better for other mums and hopefully those of us in the thick of it.

My older guy grew much better by 18 months but that's another 6 months away from now and it's not guaranteed!

[Wrigglepud]

Ah no, we’ve not got to the reintroducing stage yet so hope we don’t have the same issues.

Yes totally agree, they’re all so different..

[Twoboysbothwindy]

Thanks @Wrigglepud!

Initially low FODMAP worked great for us but we've been unable to reintroduce any food without it causing a major reaction. We keep trying though! I hope your story can help someone else. All their tummies are so different!

[Wrigglepud]

Hello! Made an account to give people hope.. if you’ve read to the end of this thread (like I did) then you’re probably at the point of desperation (like I was). A commenter further up the thread mentioned a low fodmap diet. I tried it for myself (as still breastfeeding) & babe (10mo) and she has gone from waking what felt like constantly to now waking 1-3 times a night without me changing anything else. Still do all the ‘wrong’ things like feed to sleep.. seems she was waking purely out of tummy discomfort, poor love. Word of warning though.. paediatrician said low fodmap diets can cause nutritional deficiencies so really important to reintroduce as many foods as possible once past the truly low fodmap stage. Honestly such an improvement though. I was driving myself mad trying to find her trigger foods before this.

[Twoboysbothwindy]

Peekaboo77 I know this is an old post but your story is helping me have hope... I'm convinced this kid has something. He was on penicillin for an ear infection and we thought we had a massive breakthrough. He slept for 6 straight hours! Off the penicillin, back to every 45 mins to an hour wakes with trapped wind.

Hoping the paed can help when I give this info

[Emmaems]

Hi, a really
Old post I know but just wondering did you find anything to help with your child’s trapped wind.? My 19 month old seems to have terrible issues with this and I have run out of ideas on how to help him. I can’t stand to see him with this kind of pain for much longer. Thanks

[Sakurasmum]

11 years later and I'm trying this tonight. I hope it works. Thank you for the idea

[blablablablablablabla]

Hi Windynights,

Good luck with your return to work. My daughter is nearly 2 and still waking up twice a night and I haven't had a nights sleep in that time. But the wind has reduced for us since I read this thread and started taking her for a little walk between dinner and bed.

[Windynights]

I know this is an old thread..but wondered if you ever solved the problems of your babies wind. I too have a baby who is constantly waking through the night with wind, she is now 13 months and things haven't improved. She is on alfamiko milk after 5 months of problems been breastfed with colic, but since weaning I have a list of foods that seem to make her wind worse. Shes on colief drops (although shouldnt need these in alfamino milk) and gaviscon infant for acid reflux. I took extra time off work in the hope of getting her settled at night but still no better off. She wasn't drinking much water out her sippy cup yesterday so I gave her her 360 cup and she immediately drank more but last night she woke up wailing in pain. I have the straw cups like suggested but shes not too good with that so today I'm giving her water out of a dr browns bottle I use for her milk. Oh and we tried gripe water when she was quite young but that used to make it uncomfortable to go to the toilet so she was groaning and moaning because of that too. Back to work Monday and my daughter ends up in my bed every night because else I can ease her wind easier in my bed. Does it ever end not had a nights sleep for nearly 8 months?

[Peekaboo77]

Just thought I’d update my post in case anyone has had the same thing or if it could help anyone else. My son Beau is now two and has been diagnosed with SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth)! He did a hydrogen breath test and it was a clear positive.

It has a number of causes but I think in Beau’s case it’s probably food moving too slowly through his system, which has enabled bacteria to grow.

We now have to try a cocktail of antibiotics and probiotics. And probably adjust his diet...little and often seems to be the way forward so nothing has a chance to sit too long in his system!

I think he must’ve had this issue from birth and starting on solids made the bacteria grow.

Anyway, thanks for listening and I hope the above helps someone or if anyone could offer some advice Xx

[Nidc]

I have a 14 month old who has the same problem since birth. We gave tried every possible thing but nothing works other than Asafoetida(hing). We make a paste of it using warm water and apply it on her navel.

[DaisyHolden]

I feel your pain, I have a 13 month old with the same problems, took to Dr today and put back on gavi, doing blood test for celiac, I'm exhausted 😭

[LMS66]

BTW Don’t even get me started on bad backs!!... 😂...
Xxx

[LMS66]

I feel your pain as sleep deprivation is the worst!!!... I think teething makes a massive difference too as my daughter has bright red cheeks at the moment so is teething again and her tummy is all over the place and even more sensitive than usual...
Garlic and onion is so hard to avoid as its in absolutely everything and things you wouldn’t even think it was in!!!... ahhhh... haha...
I remember some of the fruits being quite bad for my son too and mango was a nightmare but like all IBS sufferers triggers can be so different... As I said it’s so hard but I hope he grows out of it super quick and wish you the best of luck... There doesn’t seem to be a solution for digestion problems in babies which is a real pain as it affect so many lives so negatively...

[Peekaboo77]

Thank you so much for your speedy response! I do think we will just have to wait it out as he is thriving in every other way. I’ve been to see a dietician etc anc tried lots of different things but the only thing that seems to make it a lot worse is onion, garlic, leeks and beans / other fatty veg. So I guess I’m loosely following a FODMAP diet but some months it’s horrendous at night and then suddenly it will improve for a few weeks then worse again! I think teething and colds have a big impact on his tummy. It’s the perfect storm with him - he obviously has a sensitive digestion but he also sucks in so much air by putting everything in his mouth and sucking! Nightmare! Anyway, blah blah blah...only another 11 months to go ha ha.
Thank you again. It takes some of the worry away as I keep thinking there is something really wrong with him and that the lack of sleep is really going to affect his development but it clearly hasn’t with your children so onwards and upwards (with bleary eyes and a sore back)! Xx

[LMS66]

Hi Peekaboo,
I just wanted to let you know that my son is now four and he did outgrow it... He was diagnosed with IBS but started to get better and better around two. We never had an issue with burping etc... It was always trapped the other end... He more or less has a normal diet now and eats whatever, although we keep onion and garlic to a minumum at home as my daughter also has a very sensitive stomach and struggles with it too... We are just starting to introduce more to her as she approaches two and can see it is getting better. My son still has mainly loose stools but doesn’t seem to suffer with pain at all anymore.
It’s so hard as all our symptoms on here are so similar but the reasons behind it can be so different... I have lots of theories as to why it happened to us and I put it down to the fact that I suffered with hyperemesis gravidarum in both pregnancies and basically ate nothing... Garlic and onion and most food smells would make me vomit on the spot let alone be able to eat them so my children were not exposed to many foods at all through the placenta. However I could be completely wrong... haha...
I really hope you can find something that helps you and your son and hope you get some sleep soon... I’ve been tired for four years and it’s so hard... You and your son will get there eventually...
Good luck...😄...

[Peekaboo77]

Hello - my 13 month old son has exactly the same problem! He’s extremely windy but it only bothers him at night. At the moment it burps and it can take an hour at least to get him down to sleep after lots of burping but other nights it’s been low trapped wind. There doesn’t seem to be a pattern with what he eats apart from obviously farty veg/beans or if he’s over-indulged! We tried no dairy, no wheat etc and nothing seems to make much of a difference...I’ve even resorted to a small amount of adult gaviscon these last two nights and that makes no difference either! Teething does seem to have a big impact. On a bad night he’s up at least 10 times, so every hour. I’m so tired and adding more air as generally just resort to giving him the boob as it puts him to sleep quickly and he lets me manipulate his tummy. Can’t get near it otherwise!
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone could let me know what happened with their babies? Did they just grow out of it? Did it get better when the teeth came through / when their digestion matured??
Just looking for some hope. I’m so tired!!! Xxx

[KaeFairhill]

So having read these posts, it seems like me, you're all looking for answers. My LO was emergency C-S as was footling breach. Within 4 weeks diagnosed with "mild" tongue tie at the rear of her mouth (which was finally rectified at ; months) at 7 weeks, I took her to the hospital and refused to leave until the something was done due to her constant crying in pain, blisters on her skin and she was diagnosed with suspected milk allergy. Tried Pepti-junior which helped at first along with Ranitidine. Then as she was still waking, screaming and getting blisters all over her face we tried alphamino which helped the blisters. I also went Dairy free as was breast feeding but struggling to produce enough milk without expressing. She never slept through for more than 2-3 hours at a time. She's now 16 months and still wakes 4-5 times a night, very windy. Tried her on hazelnut milk and for the first time drank a 9oz bottle. Prior to that she only ever drank 3-4 oz's and ate poorly. I've been racking my brains as I'm self employed and struggling to manage. I've decided to try using meals from the candida diet as they are egg, milk and gluten free. I'm avoiding soy as much as possible.

She recently underwent a Beirum meal investigation which just showed an episode of reflux. In desperation I researched every ingredient in alphamino and neocate and surprisingly found this article regarding the DLA and AHA in baby formula. When I contacted neocate manufacturers they also confirmed that their additive was made from the fungus and algae oils.

They are known as Mortierella alpina oil and Crypthecodinium cohnii oil (sometimes listed as M. alpina oil and C. cohnii oil). These oils are extracted from fermented fungus and algae with a neurotoxic chemical solvent. The C. cohnii oil (algae) & M. alpina oil (fungus) used in many infant formulas are treated with hexane solvent, acid, and bleach. Some infants have experienced serious adverse reactions to these additives.

It is now clear that the majority of formulas dairy free and normal have this additive in but I'm unable to find any information on contraindications in the U.K..

How ever in the US... see for yourself. The link is www.cornucopia.org/DHA/DHA_Update_2_09.pdf

Having tried most formulas prior to Neocate and alphamino, I am wondering if it is the formula we are are supplementing our babies with is adding to the difficulties? I'm curious to see what you all have to say? I'm desperate to find an alternative to formula that can help fill my baby which is dairy & soy free. Any suggestions would be welcome

[MGM2016]

Hi everyone
My DD is 14 months old and having severe trapped wind issue since 2 weeks old.
I have tried all kinds of colic drops. Used colief for 1 year. Didn't see much effect but kept on using. Gripe water, herbal tea almost whatever anyone says. First only milk seemed the culprit and so went from breastfeeding to formula. Around 8 different kinds of formulas I tried .... all in vain.
There have been few days between 8 to 10 month which were extremely peaceful and heavenly.
Even same feeds cause gas now 😷
Been to many peads and almost used all kinds of medicines. Now even current pead doctor is speechless.
It does effect a person's lifestyle. I feel like my DD is missing out so much.
I feel for u all ladies. I hope and pray our little ones get rid of this pain.

[quierovinomucho]

Hi all, your stories all ring loudly for us too.
I have sympathy and empathy for you parents and your little ones. It's reassuring- that not quite the right word- but normalising, to hear that you are not alone in this. Even to hear that others have been told the same adage of 'they'll grow out of it' which gets a bit tired after a few years...! Our DD is 3 1/2 am deathly has had excessive trapped wind and awful pain since just after weaning (so almost three years now). We had a very sympathetic paed consultant who sent blood samples, stool samples, ultra sounds and barium meal x ray. She's had anti spasmodically mess, ranitide (for silent reflux that we never felt she had), movicol after trying infacol and gripe water. Initially of course trying warm baths, massage, yoga type stretches. We've done various exclusion diets (dairy, wheat, additives). We've seen an NHS dietician (after almost a year asking for a referral and in the meantime spending a lot of money on private nutritionalist appointments and their 'prescribed' food supplements: aloe Vera juice, probiotics etc). Nothing seems to work. She's tired from the draining effect it has on her body and extreme interruptions to her sleep. When she suffers in the day it affects her demeanour so she is trtchy and irrational- rather like how you feel in labour I imagine!!
I am now 6 months pregnant (but fortunately a SAHP at present) and my husband now has a 70 mile commute so we are both exhausted. But mainly want our DD to have a better quality of life day and night. We are considering seeing an osteopath. Or anyone who can help!
Any advice or information very gratefully received.
(Also ought to mention elder children don't have any stomach problems).
Thanks for reading xx

[Bear26]

Just thought I'd let u know what just worked for my one year old if anyone's going stir crazy trying to find something to help with the screaming. Bounce them on your knee, really quickly, and short bounces, like when your on a nerve and your leg twitches. It's just turned my screaming crying baby into a snoring one in about 2 minutes.