Colic or Reflux ?

[dadofjade]

Hi All,

Our baby is 3 weeks old (born 2 weeks prem) and has been crying excessively in the evenings for the last 3 nights starting at around 8pm and going to 1am or so. She is fine during the days. At night she cries until red in the face and is inconsalable. A walk in the pram helped one night at 1.00am until we got back and started again.

Baby is breastfed and feeding well we think and pooing regularly but not burping much. I also noticed a few days ago that her tummy was rock hard. We were told initially that breastfed babies dont need burping. Anyway I have been trying to burp her but not that much success. Also she only vomits occassionally.

I noticed on another thread that some veg should be avoided broccoli and cauliflower which mum has been eating.

Anyway could anyone help? We have tried everything baths, nappy changes regularly, and feeds every 3 hours. Also just heard about hind milk and mums boobs have been rock hard and lumpy so she was changing breasts regularly to reduce the pressure. Maybe not getting hind milk ? or Colic or /Reflux/Lactose ?

Any suggestions much appreciated

PS Last night she finally settled in my arms at 2.00am in 45 degree semi vertical postion ie does not like to be put down on horizontal when in this mood.

Thanks

DAD OF JADE

[clairbear]

You poor things, sounds like you, your partner and little Jade have been going through hell and not getting much sleep which makes things much worse!:crying:
Although I don't have any advice sorry, my heart goes out to you both and hope you get on top of Jade's problem soon. Use all the resources you can..early childhood clinic, ring tresillian and karitane, or if you can afford it, try a private midwife or lactation specialist to help. Best of luck and just keep telling yourselves that this WILL pass:)

[mamachops]

I probably can't answer your question (and honestly, the medical profession can't always tell the difference either).

From another parent though I can only offer some tricks I've tried. I have no idea which ones are the best, maybe a combination of all or none of them!

I also read that breastfed babies don't need burping. Maybe not, but my baby sometimes appears more content for doing so.

My tricks are:

Laying baby on her back and 'cycling' the legs. Holding her knees, bend and straighten each leg in turn, putting a little pressure on the abdomen as you bend the leg.

Nursing positions : Lying on the tummy on your forearm (head in the crook of your elbow), or upright, head over shoulder. I cuddle her a bit tighter than normal too!

Warm bath

Massage - clockwise circles over the lower abdomen with a gentle pressure

A CHN suggested a bit of warm water from a bottle, but yours is probably a bit young to be messing with that.

I also tried 'Marina Infant Mixture" and infacol.

But don't be too quick to label it colic/reflux. Babies do cry for other reasons too.

Is bub's tummy rock hard when she's crying (this is normal) or when she's settled (this is not normal)?

Sorry I can't solve your troubles, but I hope this can help a little! Sometimes it's just plain tough for no reason, you're doing great!:yelclap: . I think having a Daddy that cares so much makes Jade a very lucky bub.

Good luck

[shniks]

I am not sure, if it was reflux then it would happen all day, not just at night. Is the baby napping well all day, or is she getting overtired in the evenings, causing the crying? Babies this young can only stay up for about 1/2 to 1 hour, any longer and they fight their sleep and become very tired and upset.

Another thing that happens to a lot of babies is a temporary period of evening crying that only lasts a few weeks, then gradually stops for no reason. I think I read they find it hard adjusting to this big scary world, and as they get used to it the crying stops. Thats why they like the movement (eg in the pram) which simulates the womb environment.

The only thing that makes me think reflux is the fact that she hates lying flat. The big indicator will be if she hates lying flat after she feeds, when the acid from the stomach would come up and cause burning. Keep you eye on it. Other signs of reflux are gagging and choking sounds, fussy feeding, crying during and after feeds, poor sleep especially after large feeds, lots of spitting up and vomiting.

I can say I have been where you are and it does get better, I promise! My daughter was horrible for the 1st few months because she had reflux, once she started the reflux medicine Losec she has been the most wonderful pleasant child. You will say the same thing one day, this is just a difficult but temporary period. Good luck!

[Daffy21]

Hi,

Some other things that can give babies wind from the mother are:

Cauliflower, Cucumber, Peas, Capsicum, Onion, Chocolate and Orange to name a few.

Also being a breastfeed baby and being feed 3 hourly doesn't always mean bubs are getting enough. My baby was feeding up to HOURLY and he was starving. When I started expressing he was only getting 5ml in total per feed. No wonder he was crying!! Perhaps try expressing and see how much milk the baby is getting. To promote your milk supply you could feed bubs, then express your milk. This will increase your supply over a little time.