Colic? Reflux? Please Help!

[leahk]

Hi,

I suspect my little boy has colic or reflux. He is 5 weeks old and in the last two or so weeks has been screaming, going red in the face, brining his legs up towards his stomach and kicking his legs frantically. He is very difficult to settle during these times and looks like he is in pain. Eventually he will fall asleep but this can be after hours of screaming! He is bottlefed and throws up very often.

I am a first time mum so have never experienced this before. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am going to take him to the GP on Thursday.

Thank you!

[DanceInTheRain]

It sounds like wind which is very common at his age. I just went through the same thing with my DS. I use infacol before a feed and am vigilant about burping after a feed. When it was really bad I gave him 30mls of cooled boiled water which helps. I would have a chat with your pharmacist and see what they recommend for wind, as I mentioned infacol is working for us but there are a few products out there. If all of the above doesn't work I would see your GP. Good luck, as far as I'm aware it's a very common phase and they grow out of it.

Oh and if you think the pain is low down in his tummy then the wind can't be burped out and he'll need to fart it out. This is where water helped us but also bringing his legs to his chest or doing 'bicycle legs' can help him to fart.

[DanceInTheRain]

Also I don't think throwing up often is anything to worry about unless it is full feeds or the vomiting looks like it's hurting him. DS is not a chucky baby though so someone else might have more info on that one for you.

[KymmieKrik]

I have been through all this with my little one she is 6 weeks. first i thought it was colic then it got worse and i took her to the docs the doctor told be to buy some infant gaviscon but it says not to give longer then 7 days with out medical supervison so im not very keen in given that too her. So i asked my cousin whos daughter had server reflux her doc told her to evalte her head by putting a pillow in her cot and give smaller feeds every 2 hours or so. also offer cooled bolied water Before after every feed. I have done this and she has stopped spewing and is generally happier. Infacol is great my best friend uses it and if my daughter is still hvaing troubles wiith wind ill try that

[lissylou72]

I have my third, a 10 week old with same prob but breastfed. I have removed wheat from my diet as instructed from my chiropractor and now my bub is no longer in pain or constantly squirming!!! I have gone back to wheat in the last 2 days and regretting it !!!!!! you can buy wheat/gluten free formulas for bub, worth a try. Good luck. :)

PS. Getting at least 2 good burps is also very benefical! Sometimes I even burp during a feed.

[noahsark]

I had the same issue with my DS at 6 weeks. I found that having a look at what I was eating and removing it made a huge difference (I backed right off dairy). When he does have wind I found infacol, burping during and after each side and tummy massage helps. Also try laying them on the couch or chair so their legs are dangling over the edge (safely of course) helps stretch their tummy and normally gets some wind out.

I thought DS had grown out of it but it came back again (he is now almost 4 months). I have removed coffee (even decaf), chocolate and cheese from my diet and he is a happy, comfortable baby again.

Hope some of this helps. At the end of the day, you may need to try a few different things to find what suits your baby. Hang in there. I know it can be very distressing when they cry like that and it feels like nothing you do seems to help them.

[noahsark]

Sorry - just realised that you mentioned that you bottlefeed so my advice is not very useful.