1 week old struggling with gas

[Nic165]

My ds is 1 week old now. He was ok for the first couple of days, but since then, is really struggling with gas pains. He will strain and cry for ages until he passed wind or does a burp. He's on cow and gate at the minute, I give him infacol before every feed, keep him upright during and after feeds...but doesn't seem to be doing much. Should I try a different formula? My eldest son was prescribed aptamil pepti, but he was refusing bottles and being sick, so I'm not sure if aptamil pepti would just help with gas. Any advice greatly appreciated!

Look up silent reflux and see if the symptoms seem familiar my little does this but it's more cause off her silent reflux than anything does he scream during or after feeds? Or are you sure he is actually needed winding at the time sometimes I just give my little one a bit more milk then try again and she finds it easier to burp! She is 3 weeks! X

Consult a doctor for advice before changing formula. Cow and gate does a reflux formula we were advised (along with some meds I can't spell) to move to as our DD used to scream in pain resulting in a hospital trip as I panicked - she was five weeks. Alternatively ring your health visitor, that's what they are there for!! We also tried about seven different ways of burping her, we all found our own one that worked - over the shoulder/on her belly on our lap. You can google them, good luck it will get easier

Hi :) I looked up silent reflux symptoms but it doesn't seem like that's what he has. He's just struggling a lot to pass wind, no vomiting or crying during feeds etc. I can also hear his tummy gurgling a lot and his tummy goes rock hard like he's really trying to push the gas out. Wonder if it's worth trying another formula - I've read good reviews about hipp organic. I'm just reluctant to start chopping and changing his formula when he's so young 😕

@CREH thank you. I was going to ask at my next midwife appointment but I think I will just try health visitor today if I can get hold of her. Agree that I don't want to be changing formulas, as the next one I try might not work and then I'd have to change again. Have tried all the winding positions to no avail! Hopefully will find something that works

Aw they can be such tricky little things, hopefully HV can help!! Good luck!!

Is he blue around the mouth? Some babies need a lot more winding than others. It's a very long time ago so I can't remember exactly but I seem to remember DS projectile vomiting across my bedroom and we ended up in hospital. The doctor pointed out he was blue around the mouth and needed to be winded for longer to get rid of the excess gas.

Have you tried baby massage/bicycle legs/knees to chest or similar?

He isn't blue around the mouth, but I'll keep an eye out for that!
I've tried all the massages and moves but to no avail - seems likes he just has to struggle for ages until it finally passed. I phoned the health visitor today who said it doesn't sound like it's related to the formula as he's not vomiting or refusing bottles. She said unfortunately it's just little boys are more prone to gas trouble and it's one of those things I'll have to ride out :( that's what I feared!

A friend recommended colocynth to me which seemed to help. My DD was a very windy baby... still is really. We tried anti colic bottles too just to see if that helped, but I think it was the colocynth that did it. One small tablet dissolved with a tiny bit of milk (dissolves easily) and then put at the tip of your finger/teat so he can ingest it. I would say use a tiny bit of your spit as it's easier but in these times it's better to be safe than sorry

@OneTooManyBathtimes thank you! I will check that out 😊

My little lad is exactly the same...its a nightmare! Feel so sorry for him when hes crying in pain :( x

It's awful isnt it, especially when everything you try doesn't work to help them. Hope this passes soon for your little one!

Have you tried laying him face down across your knees and gently rubbing/patting his back? I find this a great way to release trapped air and they can kick their little legs to help work it out.

Have tried that one but he doesn't seem to like it that much! I'll keep trying though, trial and error !