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Original poster

Does anyone recognise this behaviour? (Video clips of DS)

52 replies

BritishBeef · 28/10/2007 13:02

Some of you may be aware of my post on the Feeding forum - see here for background.

Basically our 5 week old DS is very unsettled and sleeps about 5 hours in 24. He is now FF and we have been to GP and are currently trying him on Colief.

Here are a few video clips of the problems we are experiencing - do they ring any bells with anyone here?:

Video 1: The 'gulp/squeak noise' - This noise seems to often precede DS being unsettled. Especially after feeding or being put down in the cot at night after he's fallen asleep. Does anyone recognise this sound?

Video 1

Video 2: Unsettled/crying - This is how DS usually is after a feed. This is often accompianied by him thrashing his head from side to side. Often the only way to stop it is to stand up and walk around with him in an upright position.

Video 2

Video 3: Waking after being put down in cot - This is how he usually is after he's just been put down in the cot after finally falling asleep in my arms after a night feed following video 2. He does this for up to 5 minutes then will wake up.

Video 3

OP posts:
Elibean · 28/10/2007 13:31

Reflux? My dd's started around 5-6 weeks, and at first we thought it was wind/colic.

tbh, the bells that Video 1 rang with me were as much with my own experience of acid reflux as anything! That gulp and panting reminds me of me when pg, lying down after a meal

Its hard to tell when they're so small, because its sooo common for them to have upset tummies/wind/reflux etc. But if upright is the only comfortable position for your ds, and if he thrashes around after feeds, I would definitely think about reflux - silent or otherwise.

Hope others can help more!

themildmanneredaxemurderer · 28/10/2007 13:36

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Elibean · 28/10/2007 13:36

Also, it wouldn't hurt to raise the head of his cot anyway - if it is reflux, it might help (though wasn't enough to give my dd much relief, so if it doesn't help thats not proof that it isn't, IYSWIM).

TwigorTreat · 28/10/2007 13:37

aww he's very cute

video 1 just sounds like a normal baby .. they make odd noises

video 2 sounds like either trapped wind after a feed or trapped wind during a feed (ie something hurts but I'm still hungry) .. how is the winding going?

video 3 .. he's just moving around like humans do in sleep .. this is why many people wrap them tightly with arms at sides (name escapes me for some reason) ... swaddle them .. because their flailing arms can shock them awake

have you tried a cranio-osteopath?

omeN666 · 28/10/2007 13:43

sounds like trappedf wind and poss reflux. Both my girls have suffered bad ref;ux. There is something called silent reflux where they dont actually projectile vomit as is classic reflux but will just constantly bring up bits of feed. Also leads to being v unsettled and grunting/coughing sounds. I would raise the head of his bed, when he has been fed leave it at least 30mins before you lie him flat. See gp about gaviscon or carobel.

Beenleigh · 28/10/2007 13:44

not much help, but he's very sweet!

themildmanneredaxemurderer · 28/10/2007 13:47

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Elibean · 28/10/2007 13:48

Just read your background thread - sort of fits my experience of silent reflux, tbh. GP was very unhelpful in my dd's case, but in a strange twist of fate she was hospitalized for something else (not helped by the reflux) and the specialist just happened to hear her on the ward and hey presto - one diagnosis, and some meds, and a much happier baby.

I'm not trying to say it IS reflux (I have no idea, honestly) but don't let GP fob you off if you suspect it at any point. And bear in mind that Gaviscon can help with vomitting, if he is (dd wasn't) and/or pain, but it will also constipate your LO - so ask for some advice on dealing with that, and if Gaviscon doesn't help insist on a referral or better meds (Ranitidine etc).

Meantime, agree with former advice re reflux, and also with your DS being gorgeous - watching the videos made me wince with recent memory, but also go 'ahhhh' because he is lovely

Elibean · 28/10/2007 13:49

Also re your background post: my dd hated being swaddled too (unlike her sister), she found her hands very early on and would suck them for relief. We eventually got her to take a dummy for a few weeks, when her reflux was at its worst, and it did soothe her a bit - worth a try?

RoyKinnear · 28/10/2007 13:50

i would say all those look very normal to me
if he seems unsettled then as others have said a cranial osteopath can help
i would just put it down to being a baby 8-10 weeks things get better
try to relax and just leave him to it- if left he may wake, fuss and go back off. dont be too quick to pick him up he needs to 'learn' how to go to sleep alone

Original poster
BritishBeef · 28/10/2007 13:52

Thanks for the replies. Here's some responses:

We've tried swaddling but he does a 'Houdini' and escapes! It seems also to traumatise him more.

Wind: It is a problem. After a feed, we wind him and keep him upright for about 20/30 mins. It's very hard to wind him. He rarely will burp whilst winding but will burp the wind up himself anything up to hour later especially if being picked up from cot or changing mat. We have tried gripe water and also Boots Gripe mixture and he's currently on Colief but they don't seem to help.

Cranio-osteopath - had lots of recommendations re this. How often do you have to go?

Poss reflux - We have raised the head of the cot up.

We are going back to the GP tomorrow as she said that if the Colief doesn't help she'll prescribe some Gaviscon.

OP posts:
themildmanneredaxemurderer · 28/10/2007 13:53

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Original poster
BritishBeef · 28/10/2007 13:53

By the way. Re. Video number 2. He can be like this for hours!

OP posts:
themildmanneredaxemurderer · 28/10/2007 13:53

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RoyKinnear · 28/10/2007 13:57

reflux is soo in vogue and tbh in all my parenting years i had never heard it mentioned till the last 4 now every baby seems to have it
..i would be sceptical.

re getting up of wind - some do some dont - is he breat or bottle fed beef?

i think those straining noises can just be a noise babies make - he is unhappy. lets face it 5 hours sleep in 24 is not enough. he needs to be awake for 5 in 24 at that age

how well does he feed?

ggglimpopo · 28/10/2007 13:58

How are yoU winding him? Have you tried with him on his side on your lap, head upright - easier to show than to describe - your hv would be able to show you.

Is he gaining weight steadily?

Please consider a cranial osteopath - go to a recommended one (some are attached to drs surgeries; again your hv maybe able to help with this).

If you and your wife have that deep seated 'something is not right' feeling, follow your instinct. Demand a paed referral from your GP. If necessary, demand in writing if you are fobbed off.

Have you tried grandparents having him for the night, so that you and your wife get a good nights sleep - def helps to put it all in perspective.

He looks gorgeous, btw!

themildmanneredaxemurderer · 28/10/2007 13:58

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RoyKinnear · 28/10/2007 14:03

re cranial osteopath - i dont know where you are but i took my unsettled crying baby to one at the Leeds Healing Centre and the man turned into my hero
my husband works in medicine and was a sceptic but he was amazed
he recommended 3 session but after two said my sun was cured....and he was.
this was 3 1/2 years ago and i think the sessions were £40 a throw but worth every cent

Original poster
BritishBeef · 28/10/2007 14:03

More responses:

Elibean: We have been using dummies but they seem to pacify for a couple of minutes and then he either spits it out or pulls it out with his hands.

RoyKinnear: We always wait to see if he'll go back to sleep but he never does. He just gets more fitful then starts crying.

themildmanneredaxemurderer: We put him upright over shoulder and pat back. Also rub his back. We try slumping him forward in sitting position and pat and rub. Also bicycling his legs whilst on back.

OP posts:
Original poster
BritishBeef · 28/10/2007 14:11

RoyKinnear: He is bottle fed. He was the same whilst BF. He feeds very well - polishes off 4 oz in 20 minutes with slo-flow teat.

ggglimpopo: His weight is fine.

OP posts:
themildmanneredaxemurderer · 28/10/2007 14:14

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Original poster
BritishBeef · 28/10/2007 14:18

themildmanneredaxemurderer : tried putting over knee, he always ends up screaming.

OP posts:
Elibean · 28/10/2007 14:23

Tummy over knee worked best for dd. Re cranial osteopath: worth a try, IMO - we only had to take dd1 once and it meant she could feed on both sides comfortably (had a cricked neck from c-section, according to osteo). We took dd2 for her then undiagnosed reflux and floppy larynx (ie at the time, we took her for colic/noisy breathing) and it did nothing at all. I think it depends on the condition, personally.

Pippi, know what you mean re dummy - we had the same from dd at that age, she only took it a bit later (then ditched it voluntarily by six months).

Reflux may be 'in vogue' - but thats partly because it went undiagnosed for years; there's far more info on it now. And I was given all the 'its normal small baby' stuff by the HV and GP - in this particular case, they were very wrong and now admit it. Which isn't to say there isn't all the 'normal teeny baby windy/tummy' stuff - just there IS reflux too, and pretending there isn't would be daft. And sometimes harmful.

Elibean · 28/10/2007 14:23

x post - ditch the knee bit

I also found holding upright against shoulder and patting bottom (never back) firmly worked well.

Elibean · 28/10/2007 14:24

sorry, B Beef, not Pippi