Baby January 2023... follow on thread

[TokenGinger]

I know some of our babies arrived in December and some in February, but thought I'd keep the thread title as January 2023 so we know it's our follow on thread. I thought it might be helpful to have this as we tackle the newborn stage ❤️ I'll link this on our old thread now xx

Hello! Of course you can join us. I have a 3.5 DS and a 7 week DD. I'm the opposite way around in that I feel DS isn't getting enough of my attention whilst I am seeing to the baby. I feel such a huge amount of guilt that I am pushing him out and wish I could give him some more 1-1 time. He is definitely having more tantrums and I think it's just because so much of what he knows has changed and he isn't quite sure how to cope with all of the change. He has 3 full days in nursery which is great as he gets to play lots with his friends.

@TokenGinger thank you!

I don’t think Infacol helped much but I do have colief and he is 3 weeks tomorrow so may give that a go. To be honest I think he just needs to poop he can go 2 days without but he is in so much pain.

Monday I was convinced it was silent reflux he had so bought a tub of Kendamil to possibly change and 2 tubs of cow and gate anti reflux formula. Now today I think it’s still gas/poop/constipation related so bought some cow and gate colic and constipation. Going to try that and stick to it to see if it works! Also got some gripe water due today from Amazon. He literally doesn’t cry apart from when he gets a cramp and my friend came and felt him today trying to pass wind/release so at least I wasn’t going mad!

xx

@H44123 He sounds so similar to how DD was in those early weeks. She seems so much more settled now. I spoke to the HV about it yesterday and she said how common it was whilst their little digestive systems are adapting to the protein in the milk. If you're going to try Colief, I'd say try it in the morning or early afternoon as the poop can be quite explosive so not ideal overnight 😂 We only put it in one bottle and it made a difference.

Also, I got a bit of baby oil on my hand and just gently rubbed her tummy in a circular motion and that helped release loads of wind.

Another tip my friend who is a nurse told me is to put them in the tiger on a branch pose (baby's head in your hand and their body along your forearm with their feet dangling), and lift one leg up and down towards their tummy. This had her farting like a trooper!

@TokenGinger I saw that today online so will definitely be putting him in the position.

currently though he is pooping on my lap so finally got some movement! Just waiting til he is done before I change him so I don’t get covered again 🤣

my friend works with babies and said all babies go through this in the early weeks but as he is my first I am clueless! Spent so much money on formula I probably don’t need and have no receipts. Last week I thought he didn’t like TT bottles so ordered all MAM ones when he was fine with TT. I think I just need to calm down and stop stressing 🤣

thanks for your help once again! Xx

@H44123 For what it's worth, we've switched to the MAM bottles and found that her wind in general has reduced so much since we have, so you might find the same. They've been great.

It's so hard isn't it, because it's horrible to see them suffer so you want to do something about it, but I guess it's something they all go through xx

Ladies can I ask your advice… literally at a lose what to do. So yesterday and today, baby does not really sleep during the day. Mainly mornings. So at night we go to bed about 9, he is up about every 2/3 hours for a feed. I use cow and gate normal milk and the prep machine makes in 4oz but he never drinks all in one go, normally little and often. The past week Iv used Infacol occasionally (when remember) but haven’t noticed a difference. He squirms and cries and you can feel him trying to either fart or poop so I assumed he was constipated or had bad guts/digestion for now. He poops either every days or every other day. I’m finding day times he doesn’t really nap and often gets overtired and screams. Today has been a different level… he pooped about 4pm but straight away crying, scrunching in pain. And screaming crying. This has not stopped til now!

I bought the comfort milk thinking it was digestion but now I’m questioning whether silent reflux as he fits the symptoms but he isn’t really and eats well and puts weight on.

Now I have anti reflux milk and comfort milk, which one should I start with? I’m only back to questioning reflux again because he didn’t get better after pooing or farting. And colic is normally evening isn’t it, this has been pretty much all day today. I went to the doctors yesterday who said do the comfort and stick to it for 2 weeks to see if a difference. He didn’t want to give gaviscon yet and said it makes them constipated. I just don’t think I can do today for 2 more weeks. Whatever it is is causing him to wake up as soon as he falls asleep?

sorry for the essay I’m just at a loss and feel like I’m a crap mum

You're not a crap mum at all ❤️ I love the TT machine but it does add a lot of air to the feed. There's mixed advice on whether it's okay to make feeds up in advance, but in this situation, I think I'd try it to see if it helps. Could you try for 24 hours or so making up your feeds and refrigerating, then heat as you need? This'll give the air bubbles time to disappear. Try the MAM bottles too if you haven't already.

If you're uncomfortable making feeds up in advance, possibly try one of the 1L bottles of ready made and heat as needed (I've been doing 20 seconds for 3oz milk).

Of the milks you mention, I'd try the Comfort, but I'd try removing the air from his feeds first if you're able to persevere. My DS was so similar and we changed his milk a few times and we couldn't be sure whether the symptoms were then as a result of messing with his digestive system or whether it was indeed reflux, or just trapped wind xx

@TokenGinger I suppose we’ll feel guilty whichever way! I do feel bad for my DD too but luckily she loves the baby (so far!). The sling helps a lot too.

@TokenGinger well I didn’t know whether to reply and jinx things BUT I think the milk and colief is working!!! Started this morning after ringing health visitor and having a cry.. he hasn’t cried this evening once! So chilled it’s like he is back to normal! He has just had a big poop which was a bit sloppier and greener which HV said could happen but I don’t care! Fingers crossed it isn’t just a random one off and this continues!!!!

It is hard having to make bottles and wait 30 mins but I will do it and waste milk if this is the result! Don’t know what to eith over night feeds though. Currently using ready made but even with ready made you still have to wait. I really don’t want to have to come downstairs to the fridge to get pre-made ones though!

@Alitlebitsleepy It's so nice to see their bond with their little baby sibling. It's so sweet.

@H44123 Yesss! That's fantastic news. I'm so pleased he's more settled this evening. With the Colief, you might find that he develops diarrhoea. If he does, we started to put the drops into every other bottle rather than every bottle and it still helped ease them, but without the explosive poos. I'm not sure what the waiting 30 mins is for, but I haven't done it. There's no way DD could wait that long for a bottle 😂 But it still had the desired effect xx

@TokenGinger glad you said that… I don’t think I can wait 30 mins overnight either and I won’t be going to the fridge to warm bottles up! I read online a few people didn’t wait 30 mins overnight. I use the pre-made ones and pour into my bottle and he’s drinking within 1 minute!

Also could have spoken to soon… last hour his screams have started, similar to the past few days just not as long or intense. Sounds like he’s in pain again. Im debating adding in Dentinox too as Infacol didn’t work. Strange we had improvement for a few hours and then this happened. I’m hoping it’s just his body getting used to the breaking down milk etc. fingers crossed he’s still better tomorrow. I will be devastated if not, I was so happy earlier thinking I had my happy baby back! How are you getting on? All ok? Xx

@H44123 Awww no, I hope it was just a blip and that the relief continues for him. It's so hard to figure out what's best for their little bodies. I haven't tried the Dentinox before so if you do try it, I'd love to know your feedback on it.

We're doing good, thank you for asking ❤️ DD had just had a developmental leap which was tough the first few days. It was pretty much spot on in terms of timing as to when she turned into the spawn of the devil. Have you got the Wonder Weeks app? It calculates their developmental leaps based on their due date and I remember with DS, it was always so accurate. It just helped to know what to expect.

She's also just getting over bronchiolitis which has been awful for her. If you don't have one already, I highly recommend the Nose Frida snot sucker. It was an absolute god send at being able to unblock her nose. She was so bunged up she couldn't breathe at all. Someone recommended it to me and I didn't buy it when pregnant and then when I needed it and didn't have it, it was the longest 24 hours waiting for the Amazon delivery. It's now my top baby purchase!

We're 7 weeks in now, and I feel like I'm slowly starting to find my feet. We went to a baby sensory class yesterday and it was incredible to see DD respond so well to the visual stimulation, she loved it. It helps to be in a routine so I am going to try to stick to taking her to that each week, so long as maternity pay allows.

How are you doing, other than the discomfort for the little chap? Have you recovered from labour and are you managing some rest? Xx

@TokenGinger i think I spoke too soon… baby started with the crying last night and was hard to put down. Also been up most of the night which before was the best time but probably because he had worn himself out with all the crying before

This sounds/feels slightly different though. He keeps farting loads and they smell, no more poop yet but you can literally hear the gas in his stomach and bubbles which I think is causing him pain. Whereas before it was like severe cramps

I don’t know whether to start Dentinox to see if that helps or to stop either the comfort milk and use normal milk with colief or just use comfort milk and no colief or reduce drops in colief. I’m thinking of trying with Dentinox but I’m wondering if using colief and comfort together is a bit much for him 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s never bloody ending this! I know if call HV she will say give it a week to see but that seems sooo long! Especially when I noticed such a quick difference at the beginning!

also just downloaded the app you said which looks really good! Glad your little one is starting to feel better. I have one of those snot things and tried it once but don’t think it worked. Might try again actually as he sounds very snotty and bunged up especially at night! I can’t wait to do sensory classes, I have a massage class booked in a few weeks time but if he is still like this I won’t want to go. Xx

@H44123 How is he getting on today? I think the comfort milk, and the Colief do the same thing in breaking down the lactose for them to make it easier to digest so I think one or the other is probably best.

How is he at bringing up his wind? Have you tried wonky winding? It works every time with DD, even if she has fallen asleep. It's putting them up to your right shoulder. Head on the shoulder, and move their bum to the centre of your chest so they're at an angle, then just gently rock back and forth or side to side. The angling helps it release itself. It can take a few minutes but it always give DD a bit of a belch.

DD's farts also stunk with the Colief and then the diarrhoea started!

How's it going today? Xxx

@TokenGinger i think he’s ok winding but I will try wonky winding now! today the same, still the pains and gas but no poo yet so been 24 hours and on comfort milk which I thought would make him go more.

I rang the HV and spoke to a new one who thought sounds reflux but said continue on the comfort milk without colief and try a bit of boiled cooked water which might help his gas and poop. But he only had a bit and an hour later he was sick s bit but it was clear.

my mum came and he fell asleep and I could hear him swallowing like something came up in his throat. Then in front of my mum he woke himself up like gagging/choking as something came up in his throat almost like sick or acid and the first thing my mum said that’s reflux. So I rang the HV back and said first time but I think these are signs of reflux I have seen indicating more that so should I go into anti reflux milk. She said stick on the comfort for now as gp may give gaviscon next week after we try this milk for a bit. So I said won’t the go recommend anti reflux milk first without gaviscon and she said yes. I said would they give gaviscon whilst on anti reflux milk and she said no one or the other. So I don’t know why she said don’t swap milk 🤷🏻‍♀️I don’t know what to do. Anti reflux has a high chance of causing constipation and he already has problems going and gut problems.

he’s jusg had a feed and he’s screaming in pain and hitting his face and mouth all the time

@H44123 The poor baby 😭😭😭 Have you considered CMPA or a dairy intolerance, if not an allergy? He sounds so much like my son as a baby. It was just awful. Every time he ate, he screamed in pain. At first we thought it was wind but with gripe water, he got it up just fine. He did have reflux, as he was sick a lot, but it seemed more than that, that was causing him such distress. To begin with, it was just the screaming. Then he got a bit of a rash over his body which soon cleared, then it was his poos. My god, they were explosive. It was up his back several times a day. This started to happen from around the 6-8 week mark so it wasn't immediately obvious. They started to smell very acidic, like vinegar almost, and were always liquid, never firm, and some could be quite mucusy.

It wasn't until 9 months the GP finally agreed it could be a dairy intolerance and prescribed him dairy free milk, but by that point, he wouldn't take the milk (it smelt foul). I really wish he'd have had it from much younger before he knew nicer tasting milk existed. They tried us with Gaviscon which caused him extreme constipation, thinking it was just reflux. Then they moved to Omeprazole for reflux which was better for the reflux.

It's so so hard to know whether it's just the early stages of his digestive system adapting or whether there's something wrong there, and it makes it so difficult to know what to do for the best xx

@TokenGinger exactly. It could just be his normal digestive getting used to things but I do think it’s more. It’s all so upsetting and frustrating too because everything is trial and error and a waiting game.

I don’t understand why the comfort milk hasn’t made him poop loads which would be expected of that milk, a lot of gas though. Strange too how the comfort milk and colief worked for a few hours yesterday then the pains and screaming started. I have stopped the colief today as per HV. I think he gets his wind up and I can’t try grips water yet due to his age.

im at a loss and terrified this can be so a long ongoing process. I’m dreading another week of it let alone up to 12 weeks or more. I can’t even get dressed, put him down to make lunch or even think of leaving the house.

@H44123 Hey, I'm sorry I haven't checked in for so long. We've had bronchiolitis and an ear infection here for bubba so have been crap on my phone whilst tending to her.

I just wanted to check in see how your little chap is doing with his tummy? And how are you? Xxx

@TokenGinger aw don’t worry! We’ve had a crap time too. How’s she getting on? Has it cleared up for her? Poor thing it’s awful when they are poorly.

Gosh where do I begin. The crying intensified to extreme levels and he was in pain. Literally wouldn’t sleep during the day or night. Went to GP and got dismissed as he had all silent reflux symptoms. Ended up at a&e one night as he hadn’t pooped for 5days who said it’s colic and not constipation and to have paracetamol. Went back to GP and luckily saw a woman this time and I broke down crying. I started taking pics of his poo when he went and she felt his belly and saw the pic and said very constipated so gave lactulose. Also said silent reflux and gave gaviscon but side effect if constipation again. Tried both… both didn’t work and that was another hell for a few days. Eventually got omeprazole last Friday and fingers crossed I think we have turned a corner.

he is still colicky on an evening but I don’t mind that as it’s evening only and he isn’t in pain whereas before he was. It really got to me and I’m pretty sure I was depressed for a week crying every day sat in a dark room with a screaming baby. I dreaded waking up to start another day but it was more feeling helpless my baby wasn’t getting better. Think I’m in a better frame of mind now though but god it’s been hard. Did not expect any of these emotions but luckily my partner and partners have been amazing! Ps - I now do wonky winding after your recommendation! Xx

@H44123 Oh my gosh! The poor little sweetheart, and poor you going through all of that, too. Omeprazole was sooo much better for my son, too, compared to Gaviscon. I really hope it continues to work for him.

Wonky winding is so good, isn't it? It works for DD all of the time.

She's definitely much better from the bronchiolitis, but still recovering from the ear infection. I'm not sure if I mentioned on here, but she has inherited my genetic disorder and there are different risks associated it which she needs to be monitored for. The greatest risk is loss of sight, so she has to go to the eye hospital every 4 weeks for tests and next week, she's going under anaesthetic for tests on the back of the eye and if they find any dead blood vessels whilst down there, they'll do laser eye surgery. The condition also affects the skin and at a few days old, her body blistered from top to toe and she's now left with the pigmentation scarring from that, which is fine, but she's had a few more repeat outbreaks of the blisters, I think because she's run down with illnesses so I'm hoping that improves for the little doll once she's better. She also has an umbilical hernia!! Honestly, the poor baby has so much going on but is still the happiest little thing. She never catches a break but you wouldn't know it to look at her. She's such a smiley little thing ❤️

@TokenGinger aw poor little love. Isn’t it amazing what some babies go through yet are still so happy, I wouldn’t be like that. they are so strong! And In comparison my boy he always looks unhappy and miserable. I commented on my cousin actually, her little boy was born 2 weeks before mine and she has loads of pics of him smilin/looking happy and I want that!

yeah I think omeprazole has made a difference so far but it has given him wind and it stinks!!! I read online others have said it can cause wind and someone said this settles down so fingers crossed! He didn’t poo yesterday which isn’t too unusual providing he poos today so I know he isn’t constipated again. Some say it can cause diarrhoea and some say constipation as side effects too. We’ve been up since 4 with him trying to poop/fart and squirming although no screaming. I think half the battle is that their body is still figuring out how to do it easy enough! I can’t wait for him to be able to poo and fart easy 🤣

oh how life has changed.. obsessing over poo and taking pictures of each one so I can show doctor if needed ha

Xx

@H44123 He will be smiley in no time. The things my DD faces (like the eye tests) are temporary discomfort whereas your poor boy has been dealing with this pain and discomfort permanently so I'd be unhappy too ❤️

Haha I said to my friend last night how funny it is that we're now texting each other to celebrate the arrival of a poo!

Your DS sounds identical to what my DS was like. If he does have another spike, query CMPA or lactose intolerance with the GP. We had a late diagnosis for DS. Xx

@TokenGinger yes that would be my next query but I’m hoping we don’t go down that route. From what i have read it’s so much trial and error and a long slong to get seen by dieticians etc. I’m just hoping he poops today. I don’t want to use lactulose last time you could hear his belly bubbling for days and he was still in pain.

I have everything crossed for your daughter ❤️ xx

Also sat waiting for the news update about changes to childcare from the government 🤞🤞 be amazing if we can get some more help!!!

@H44123 Do we have any poop celebrations today?

The government announcement is fab! Sucks a bit that we don't get any provision until September 2024 but it's a whole 20 months earlier than we'd be entitled to anything so it's great!