What’s wrong with my baby

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

My 1 month old will only sleep on us- I don’t mean in the newborn attached 4th trimester way, I mean she physically cannot sleep lying down on her back. She makes the most pained sounds, she sounds congested (even though she isn’t otherwise), wheezes, struggles to take full breaths and struggles until she wakes herself up thrashing about. It’s not seemingly colic as feeds fine, no pained crying, no arching of the back. Wtf is going on? Gp and hv both saying “normal” but I have an older child, children in the family, friends with kids, no one thinks these sounds etc are normal.

[hermionegart]

I had this experience with dc1 and gp said it was normal so we struggled on as if it was normal. When I had dc3 and he was the same I insisted it was not normal and eventually discovered it was cows milk protein allergy. My dc1 was then diagnosed with it at age 3, so poor little thing had been struggling all those years (and had reputation as nightmare child who never slept!) As I was EBF I cut dairy for 1 month, noted the change in the baby, and then reintroduced it once and noted the symptoms returning. I then called the GP and said i think it's CMPA and was referred to dietician who confirmed it.

It could be worth a try for you, although it's more complicated if the baby has formula because you need to switch to a prescription formula so obviously please don't cut anything without medical advice in that case. Ask in advance for help doing a milk challenge.
The symptoms were seeming inability to lie flat (silent reflux), difficulty with wind, v infrequent poo, mild eczema and cradle cap. (They still get cradle cap at age 6 if they have milk!) Although, apparently majority grow out of milk allergy by toddler age. Good luck, I hope you find a way to settle baby soon and can all get some rest

[recreationalcalpol]

Mine couldn’t lie flat without waking up screaming straight away or vomiting for at least 10 weeks. It was reflux. Did you have a c section by any chance? This can make the baby more congested as well, as the fluids are not squeezed out during delivery.

There was really nothing to be done for it but wait it out I’m afraid, and let him sleep where he was comfortable, propped up on a parent’s chest. We took shifts at night time. My GP was VERY reluctant to prescribe anything.

It was awful, and I feel for you, but it did pass in time.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

hermionegart that’s interesting, because cradle cap and face rash is playing up today- I had two coffees yesterday. Crap giving up dairy is going to be hard!

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

recreationalcalpol no c section, but my contractions stopped when they realise her head was blocked byy waters which they had to
Burst.


Should also add she’s alwAys had extreme hiccups too.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Would a milk allergy though not show up
Through distress when and after feeding- we don’t have that...?

[lovescaca]

I'm think reflux too. My ds has silent reflux and could only sleep on his tummy, I got a Angela care breathing mat for him. I wasn't putting him on his back when he was clearly very uncomfortable. Health visitor wasn't happy but it's easy for them to just say ur doing it wrong. I think they overlook things sometimes.

[hermionegart]

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

Would a milk allergy though not show up
Through distress when and after feeding- we don’t have that...?

It was more of a delayed reaction so didn't show at the time of the feed. Aside from some occasional projectile vomiting not long after feeds. I was also worried about giving up dairy but actually there are loads of really good replacements and it was short term until I stopped BF

[CottonSock]

Try gripe water, really helped for mine. Check age though as its not from birth.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Thanks I know we can use infacol before gripe water (age limit) but I think that’s for babies that have trapped wind etc from recollection

[CottonSock]

Yes infacol for wind. Gripe water works like a rennie and often got a big acid smelling burp after it. Tastes ok too so could get it in her. Ranitidine prescribed by gp she didnt swallow so i had to give up on it.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Oh didn’t know that re: gripe- thank you.

[lovescaca]

Infant gaviscon is a game changer