Colic/reflux? Feeling isolated

[AbDaRob]

My DS was born 7 weeks premature.. he is currently 7 weeks. (Due date was 3 days ago).

Gradually as the weeks go by I’ve found things harder with him. For example he always used to be a great feeder. He’d feed, burp, go straight back down.

but the last 3 weeks I’ve found it harder and harder. He seems very uncomfortable a lot of the time. Going red, grunting, bringing knees up to his stomach. He screams when on his back & screams throughout a feed.

i spoke to the GP who has given us infant gaviscon for reflux but it doesn’t seem to help. Im not even sure it’s reflux, he seems to have symptoms of both reflux and colic. He’s using infacol & gaviscon… but haven’t seen too much of a change.

I’ve booked in to see an osteopath this week, but know this doesn’t help everyone.

he’s feeding 2 hourly, after his feed he normally cries for about 1 hour. Sleeps for 1 hour, then back to feeding.

im finding it hard because I want to go out with him. Go to restaurants with friends & my son, but I can’t do that because if he were to need a feed he screams and screams. I have no problems feeding him in public but don’t feel quite comfortable if he were to scream in pain for that long.

I tried to go for walks, however he hates being lied flat so hates the pram and just cried for an hour.

when I try to talk to my partner about how isolating it can be to not really be able to leave the house, except for a brief visit to the shop. He just says lots of people experience it, and it’ll pass and things will get a lot harder than this. I don’t think he fully understands. I try to tell him, that having to hold a distressed baby is no fun.

But I’m finding it hard, I want to go out. I feel like I’d be so much better mentally if I could just take my son out for the day without him screaming in agony.

When I spoke to the HV about this, she just told me it’s something that will pass by about 6 months and to ride it out. I don’t think I could cope with this isolation for 6 months.

I hate that my son is uncomfortable, I hate that we can’t really go anywhere. I’m frustrated by the lack of support from the HV.

The sun is shining, I’m wanting to go out with him, but hes uncomfortable and crying. It doesn’t seem fair.

[Peaplant20]

Just to say you’re not alone, I couldn’t written what you and everyone else has already. I agree with what everyone else says but also have you had baby checked (by a specialist, not HV or GP) for tongue tie? It can cause baby to take in excess air leading to discomfort x

[AbDaRob]

Thank you so much everyone for your comments.

DS seems to be doing well on the new formula, just trying to manoeuvre around the nutramigen being very thin & him drinking it to quick - causing him to be sick! Already on a MAM size 0 teat…
GP won’t prescribe carobel… however I know I could just purchase it myself… should I go against GP advice and get it?

[AbDaRob]

Another update. As DS was premature he gets weighed weekly.
born at 33+5 and was 4lb4oz
he is 9 weeks today, and has been on this new milk 6 days.
he has lost 2oz. I am completely heartbroken. Finally my boy was getting comfortable and but he’s loosing weight.
I’d finally started going out this week as he was getting much better… now I think I’m back to square one.
:( being referred back to a dietician.. if he has lost more weight by next week they are going to put him back on his old milk, which means he’ll gain weight however be uncomfortable. I feel so sad