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Grunting & straining all night

2 replies

HannahFTM93 · 26/09/2026 09:27

FTM here. My baby girl is 2 months old. I am exclusively breastfeeding. She feeds very well. During the day she is bubbly and smiley after feeds and burps well after. She has consistently wet and dirty nappies. BUT at night, as soon as we lay her on her back in the next to me crib or our bed (we dont typically co-sleep, this is more a last resort some nights) she is constantly grunting, straining. Kicking her legs, waving her arms around. All whilst she is still asleep. Like she is trying to pass wind or poop but struggling. For the last 9 weeks we have just endured it as been told its normal with their immature digestive system. I have tried remedies like infacol (gas drops), we do bicycle legs, tummy massage etc before bed. I even bought a wedge for under her matress so she wasnt completely flat. Nothing seems to help! What i have read about it says it all typically starts to stop at about 12 weeks. She is 9 weeks now and it is getting worse each week. She strains so much that she is now struggling to keep her milk down after night and early morning feeds. My health visitor insists its all normal. Has anyone had or having the same experience? Does it get better? I feel so sorry for her that she is not comfortable laying down to sleep. And myself think i'm going crazy from the lack of sleep!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Wish44 · 26/09/2026 09:39

Yes totally normal! Whoever invented the saying sleeps like a baby was nuts!

it was like having a small farmyard next to me. I went for ear plugs in the end- I till woke when they cried and yes jr does just stop at about 4 months

Yellowisthenewgreen · 26/09/2026 09:43

What you are describing is infant dyschezia and it does then to get better with time but can sound quite distressing in the meantime.

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