Help! Baby squirming, grunting & crying...

[mrsg1903]

Hi all

Please excuse any rookie questions, and I'm sorry in advance for the rant, but we really struggling and want to help our son... We are first-time parents to our beautiful 6-week-old boy. He has been diagnosed with reflux, and we started ranitidine 4 days ago. So far, very little improvement - but we understand it can take up to a fortnight to kick in properly, so we're trying to be patient.

However what I wanted your advice on is this: in the past 10 days or so, a baby has started spending the majority of his awake time constantly squirming and grunting, in between cries... I don't think he is constipated, as he is pooping normally (he was because of his gaviscon, but lactulose is helping), so I'm not sure if the squirming and grunting is to do with wind or reflux, or something else? He has had Colief in his bottle for some time and is formula-fed. We've tried switching formulas, and he is currently on Hipp.

He also won't sleep on his back, when he used to do really well in his crib, but I think that's because of the reflux. We are set to see the doctor on Tuesday, who I might talk to you about potential cow's milk allergy, as baby has bad skin and a few other symptoms...

Any ideas from people who have been there on the squirming and grunting?! (Not a sentence I ever thought I'd say! 😂) And I love any reassurance that things will get easier... It's so sad and frustrating for us to watch him in constant discomfort, and we feel like it's never going to end, which isn't doing much for our own mental states!

Thank you SO much in advance for your help! We really appreciate it x

It sounds a lot like wind to me. Keeping baby upright for at least 20 to 30 mins after feeds can help. My first always needed lots of position changes and patting to help her bring up her wind, but my 2nd (4wks) needs to be held with his knees raised and not patted but sort of softly jiggled.

Sounds like wind but wouldn't rule out cmpa if ds is having other symptoms too. DD was like this. First was on meds for reflux but it finally sorted things out when she was put on neocate. We didn't need reflux meds anymore. In the meantime try massaging his tummy, really helped DD (took 6 months to get a diagnosis and the right milk). You can probably find a how to online

My son used to do this squirm and grunt in discomfort as he wouldn't part with his wind. We used to give him infacol before feeding and keep him upright for 20 minutes after. I would try and keep him from being laid flat on his back so if he was awake he would be in his swing/bouncer and I would let him nap on me on his stomach. I also asked either the MW or HV can't remember which to teach me some massages with baby oil and that worked a treat. Never been so happy to hear a baby fart haha.

Good luck

For our DS reflux milk and infacol was the best combination. He used to do as you described but now at 19 weeks is doing really well. His cot is at an angle, we sit him up for 15mins after and burp him throughout the feed. If we ever miss the infacol he is uncomfortable again for the next 2 feeds or so. We also do lots of trapped wind exercises for him on the floor which all helps.

It will be tee reflux. Both of mine had it. Keep them as upright as you physically can. Mine used to love laying on my chest upright. You need to keep them upright for an absolute minimum of half an hour after a feed. An hour is best. Recline your cot if you're able to do so. Mine were always happier on their bouncer chair or upright in their car seat.

My boy is like this sometimes but it's just purely wind, I've propped his Moses basket up by putting a blanket between the stand and basket so he's not flat on his back and I also do the bicycle legs and pushing his knees into his tummy when he's got trapped wind, he farts like a trooper 😂