Any tips on how to help a gassy 6 week old and when does it start to ease?

[crispaddict76]

My DS is 6 weeks old and suffering with gassy/colic pains at the moment. It means he doesn’t tend to settle for a nap unless he is on one of us and then by evening ends up over tired and does seem in pain, farting a lot and crying when he does it.

I have been giving him Infacol before every feed since he was two weeks and he has been on Aptamil Comfort for nearly two weeks. I do manage to burp him once or twice during feeds but sometimes they aren’t really big burps and sometimes it is a real struggle to get him to burp. Last night I gave him some gripe water after his feed but I’m not sure how well it worked or not. He does settle at night generally waking every 3 hours for a feed.

I know babies go through this phase but I guess I am just looking for some re-assurance as to whether this is normal and when it will start to ease. I am a FTM and finding it so hard to see him look like he is suffering. And if anyone has any tips /views as to whether I can use Infacol before and Gripe water after feed and just any tips really as to how I can ease things for him.

Thanks xxx

Are you using anti colic bottles? Eg Mam or Dr Brown?

You can also use gripe water for help with winding. The boots gripe mixture is the easiest to use.

Have you tried cat in the tree, bouncing up and down and jiggling around for burping?

Try anti colic baby masssage as well but the only sleeping on Mum and Dad thing is normal for that age. Trying googling 4th trimester.

Thanks. Yes am using Dr Brown bottles and have been using them for about 3-4 weeks now. I think they have helped some. Tried all sorts of ways to get him to burp. It’s maybe because I am starting to get tense at feeds over will he or won’t he burp!!

@Chaosofcalm thanks re the Boots gripe water. Do you find this better than Woodward’s? And is it best to give him at the end of a feed?

It’s also reassuring to know that sleeping on me and OH is normal. It just means that I never get anything done....but here’s hoping it passes soon. I’m sure I will miss him wanting cuddles before I know it!! xxx

I just found it easier to handle because it is in a plastic bottle and easier to get the syringe into and it keeps for 4 weeks rather than 2 weeks so it was fine to keep in the changing bag. I used to give it at the end of the feed but some people give it half way through. Have you tried paced feeding? I don’t know much about it.

I really can’t stress enough for you just to focusing cuddling your baby and don’t but any pressure to be out and about unless it will be beneficial to you.

We tried infacol and didn't really notice any difference, if you are looking for an alternative we used Colief which we found really good and we also used Dentinox ( not together ) which seemed to give quicker results. I completely feel for you, as it is upsetting seeing your LO so uncomfortable, if it eases with them sleeping on you, let them sleep on you. We just did anything to ease it for him. Abs I know it doesn't help now, but it dies subside in time..hope it gets a bit easier soon.

Did you move him from another milk to Aptimal Comfort? What were the reasons for moving him to comfort milk?

A sling has been great for us in this phase - have a refluxy 4 week old who does best being upright. Could work for a babe who wants to sleep on you. Check to see if you have a sling library near you.

B. Infantis drops from BioCare. Changed my life - and my DS's.

@ProfessorSprout on advice of HV after he became constipated and again really gassy. Although not sure if he is more gassy now than he was. He is less constipated though!

The HV advised me to change the teat size to the next one up when DS was suffering badly with wind. She said because he was having to work so hard to get the milk he was taking in lots of air. I was sceptical at first but from the first feed with the faster flow test he was so much happier, much less wind and more settled.

I second getting a sling. Mine sleeps really well in hers, even when I'm doing chores or going for a walk. The sling also helps wind her with the gentle bouncing from walking.

The closeness is also wonderful, I can chat to her throughout the day, sing and dance with her, and I love having her snuggled up to me.