3 month DD getting very upset after feeds - Is it teething rather than wind? I just can’t work it out 😢

[AntenatalNellie]

I would really appreciate some advice. 3 month old Dd has in the past 3-4 weeks been getting very upset after almost all feeds. (Mainly formula fed plus a bottle of express milk each day).
The first feed of the day is usually fine but then all subsequent feeds seem to result in her crying and getting upset until she wears herself out and I walk around cuddling her to my chest and gently rocking her. I burp her every time and almost always get a good burp up.

Initially I thought it was trapped wind so I tried infacol but after 4 doses spread throughout the day she was sick. A week later I tried Dentinox mixed in her milk and she was sick after that feed. It might have been coincidence but she is generally only sick around once a week.

DH felt her bottom gum and couldn’t feel any obvious teeth there. But could it be the start of teething? Her cheeks are sometimes flushed and she has been dribbling lots and furiously chewing her hands.
Should we maybe try rubbing teething gel into her gums? Could the bottle be aggravating her gums and that’s why she cry’s after feeds now?

We hate seeing her like this but just don’t know how to work out what is upsetting her.

Thanks in advance from cluelessville!

Have you tried offering her more milk? Are you paced feeding?

@Pissinthepottyplease

Have you tried offering her more milk? Are you paced feeding?

Nowadays she doesn’t tend to finish her bottle in one go so I keep offering her more after each break. Sometimes she wants it and sometimes not. Sorry FTM I’m not sure what paced feeding is? 🙈

Does she have a dummy? Maybe she still wants to suck but isn’t hungry.

@zoeydollie

Does she have a dummy? Maybe she still wants to suck but isn’t hungry.

I have been reluctant to try a dummy but would if it might help her feel more comfortable. I’m just not sure if it’s the right next step. It’s so difficult to know. I just wish she could tell me!

Babies need to be able to suckle, it’s a basic instinct. Breastfed babies can suckle without taking in milk whereas they can’t suck on a bottle without drinking.

@zoeydollie

Babies need to be able to suckle, it’s a basic instinct. Breastfed babies can suckle without taking in milk whereas they can’t suck on a bottle without drinking.

Thank you for your reply. I’m just confused that this started at around 9 weeks prior to that she was always absolutely fine after every feed. Is there a reason why it suddenly started?

Baby’s go through phases throughout their first year. They can be settled for 8 weeks and then out of nowhere become unsettled and act differently. It’s just a phase. Around 3 months they go through a huge development spurt which unsettles most babies. It’s likely nothing to do with the feeding. Sucking on fists is something all babies do, my 3 month old does it to settle himself, so I give him a dummy. It’s a comfort thing, especially if they’re upset. Hang in there and your baby will be back to normal soon enough

@Winceybincey

Baby’s go through phases throughout their first year. They can be settled for 8 weeks and then out of nowhere become unsettled and act differently. It’s just a phase. Around 3 months they go through a huge development spurt which unsettles most babies. It’s likely nothing to do with the feeding. Sucking on fists is something all babies do, my 3 month old does it to settle himself, so I give him a dummy. It’s a comfort thing, especially if they’re upset. Hang in there and your baby will be back to normal soon enough

Thank you, I needed to hear that! I just always think I’m failing in not knowing what to do to help her 😢

Be kind to yourself. You are in no way failing, you see she's upset and you're trying your best.
If you have a sling could you put her in it after feeds with a dummy so she can suckle and be close to you or her dad.

You are definitely not failing, but I remember the uncertainty when I had my first. Third baby in and it’s become quite predictable. I’ve just copied and pasted a snippet I just found online, it may match what you’re going through….

Growth Spurts;
If your baby is breastfed, feeds may take longer than usual. If she’s formula-fed, she may seem as if she’s still hungry at the end of a feed.

Some babies sail through growth spurts without showing any obvious signs. You may take your baby to be weighed and see that her weight’s jumped to a higher percentile, or notice that her new onesie is suddenly tight at the toes!

When your baby’s having a growth spurt, she may need more or less sleep than usual. There's some research to show that babies going through growth spurts become clingy, fussy and unsettled, and this can disrupt naptimes and night-times.

Could it be silent reflux? Is she unhappy lying down, hiccup-y? You could try burping her in the middle of feeds and after feeds as well as bicycle legs after.

Don't be scared of the dummy, it's natural for them to suck for comfort and you don't need to worry about them getting dependent on it until over a year IMO.

Honestly, I think babies are just like that at that age, it's baffling! Take it easy. You can always ask GP to check her and see if they can rule out anything obvious like an ear infection.

May sound silly but have you tried a faster teat? My DD was the same, I would always get a good burp but she had constant trapped wind because the flow was too slow and she was sucking too hard. I upped her teat and she was happy again.

Many oz does she take? Does she need abit more?
Agree a faster teat may be needed.
Look into silent reflux

Thank you everyone for your replies, they are much appreciated. Sorry for not coming back to the thread before now, I think we are both getting quite exhausted now and one day is just rolling into the next.
DD is tending to finally settle to sleep around 3am and she does sleep for a good period which is great but nonetheless we are both shattered by then!

I spoke to the HV about possible reflux and she said she might have a mild case but she always knows when a baby has reflux because the parents always hand the baby over to her straight away in desperation for some help because the baby is non stop crying. DD is not like that thankfully but I still really want to know what to do to help her, she definitely seems in discomfort. She starts crying minutes after part of her feed and I try burping but she’s usually writhing and squirming too much. Then I try giving her more milk in case she’s still hungry and she often is. It goes on like this until she’s finished the bottle or fallen asleep. But I have to be up with her walking around and rocking her before she finally sleeps usually.
I have upped her feeds to 160ml now which seems about right.
We tried a faster teat a couple of weeks ago but it was too fast for her at this stage.
I haven’t tried a sling because I get too hot holding her and she overheats too. I’m still not sure about a dummy, I have nothing against them as such it’s just I feel it’s not necessarily getting to the bottom of the problem.
I am puzzled by it all and as a PP said babies are definitely baffling!

Please ignore your HV she's talking crap.

It sounds like reflux or silent reflux to me definitely, or even CMPA, definitely worth a GP visit.

HVs mean well but I'm not convinced in their abilities.

@PerfectPrepPrincess

Please ignore your HV she's talking crap.

It sounds like reflux or silent reflux to me definitely, or even CMPA, definitely worth a GP visit.

HVs mean well but I'm not convinced in their abilities.

Thank you for this. I’m wondering too if it is silent reflux because I’ve googled the symptoms list and DD has many of them.

she always knows when a baby has reflux because the parents always hand the baby over to her straight away in desperation for some help because the baby is non stop crying

She's talking bull!

Deffo go see GP as it sounds most like silent reflux. Some of the meds are great and worked wonders for us.
I also put carobel in his milk which helped.

If she is crying at the teat and refusing feeds, she has made the connection between feeding and pain.

It really sounds like silent reflux. My eldest was like this and refused all feeds completely by 16 weeks. We had to wean him early.

Keep your baby as upright as possible, especially for at least 30 minutes after feeds. Small frequent feeds are best. A dummy is also a blessing because they like to comfort suck.

@cookiesandcreamm

she always knows when a baby has reflux because the parents always hand the baby over to her straight away in desperation for some help because the baby is non stop crying

She's talking bull!

Deffo go see GP as it sounds most like silent reflux. Some of the meds are great and worked wonders for us.
I also put carobel in his milk which helped.

Thank you! This is the trouble with being a FTM I end up thinking the ‘experts’ know best half the time even though I know my DD best and something isn’t right and I can’t stand just watching her in discomfort. You have all given me the confidence to speak to the GP. The HV made me feel like medication was only for the severest cases. Of course I don’t want DD to be on medication unless it’s absolutely necessary but she is in discomfort and something has to be done.

@Nerfelite

If she is crying at the teat and refusing feeds, she has made the connection between feeding and pain.

It really sounds like silent reflux. My eldest was like this and refused all feeds completely by 16 weeks. We had to wean him early.

Keep your baby as upright as possible, especially for at least 30 minutes after feeds. Small frequent feeds are best. A dummy is also a blessing because they like to comfort suck.

Thank you. We always keep her upright for a good half an hour. She is tending towards feeding over the course of an hour now which I think she finds better. I will think about a dummy, anything to help her. Thanks again.

Hope things are better now, OP!