DS screams if put down flat

[bobthebaby]

For the last couple of days 5 1/2 month old ds, screams if laid flat in his cot. He makes gurgly, chesty noises just before screaming, and between screams he sounds like a balloon deflating. He looks in pain rather than just not wanting to be in his cot. We tried him fast asleep to test if it was the anticipation of bed time, but we got the same reaction.

We have propped him up on a firm breastfeeding pillow and he will sleep fine for a few hours and then wakes up screaming. He will sleep flat in our bed, but only if fed to sleep and then not moved at all.

He is fine for a few minutes whilst changing his clothes or a nappy, then starts crying. He will play on the floor, though he doesn't seem to like it as much as usual. He had a cough last week, which has cleared up.

He is totally breastfed, doesn't have any solids yet (because of family allergies) and has eczema. Any ideas?

Could it be reflux? I don't personally have any experience of this, but if propping him up makes him more comfortable then it's a possibility. You could try searing the board for `relfux' as there have been a few threads on this topic, to see if the symptoms match others'. HTH.

He might have an ear infection. Babies feel pain when lying flat as you describe. Since he sounds gurgly it could be a cattarrh causing pressure in his ears. Best to get the doc to have a look. He may not show any other signs such as temperature.

If its the last couple of days perhaps he's dehydrated. You can feel the stomach cramping more when you are in certain positions. Good luck

Thanks, I forgot to mention I live in NZ where its the middle of winter - no chance of dehydration here! The ear infection sounds interesting. I did have his ears checked when he had the cough, but I suppose it could have moved since then.

poor little thing. unlikely to be reflux if he is 5 months and it has just started. agree with mears about ear infection, or perhaps sinusitis? that also causes pain on lying down - could be a combination of both if he is generally blocked up and snotty.
As well as the breastfeeding pillow, you could also try raising two legs of his cot on big fat books to get him at a bit of an angle, and maybe also put one of those menthol inhalators on in his room before he goes to sleep. but sounds like he needs to be prodded around by a GP as well, to listen to his chest and look in his ears.
Hope he gets better soon!

Thanks for your advice. He now will allow us to lie him flat for sleep. Think it may have just been one of those weird baby things that lasts a couple of days and then clears up on its own. He has been a better mood generally today, so maybe he was just feeling a bit below the weather.