Gas And/or Acid Reflux

Are you breastfeeding or formula feeding? It's possible that your son has a food sensitivity that is causing his issues. Dairy is usually the biggest culprit, so if you're breastfeeding, you need to cut *all* dairy out of your diet (that includes anything that has "milk" or "milkfat" added as an ingredient). It's not easy, but all three of my kids had this problem, so I've been doing it on and off for five years. If you are formula feeding, switch to a soy-based formula. Keep in mind it will take about two weeks to clear all the dairy out of his system, so don't expect results too soon. Good Luck and I hope you figure out a way to help him soon! It's really tough to see our little ones uncomfortable!

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my son went through this also. after trying new formula and it not working he went on zantac which helped a great deal. I used to put it in his bottle though so he could drink it instead of squirting it in his mouth. I don't know if you have tried it but i put a little on my tongue and it taste like mouthwash and has that alcohol burn that mouthwash does.

We used gas drops in addition to zantac cuz my son was very gassy for a while. We also used a heating pad on his tummy to help calm him down. i would turn it on low till it warmed up then turn it off and he would lay on his tummy across my lap (most of the time)

My sons reflux got dramatically better at about 4 months. he slept in a boppy until then also. now he is 14 months and we are dealing with it again! i hope things get better for you soon!

My son had gas problems when he was first born also not as bad as your lil one seems to have but we used gasx type stuff it was the walmart brand and if he wouldn't take it with the dropper we would put in with the bottle if you use one and that always worked.

Hi L.! I totally recommend chiropractics for you son as well as a product called "gripe water". It's natural and safe. Chiropractics will help with the gas and the reflux. We had to use zantac for my daughter but only because she had erosions in her esophagus for reflux. I would be sure that reflux is actually the problem before using zantac.
Also, do not use cereal in a bottle like one poster suggested. It's an outdated method and does harm rather than good.
You can give gas drops and zantac at the same time. Gripe water worked better for us than gas drops.

Hi L.,
My granddaughter is now 1 year. Within her first month she had problems having good bowel movements that resulted in being constipated. I don't know how you feel about feeding your little guy cereal and fruit at this age. I know the doctors don't like it nowadays. Back in the 70's my doctor was ok with it at 1 week old. My kids did the same with their kids. We gave my granddaughter a little bit of strained prunes with her cereal in the evening at that age and it really helped. Babies also sleep longer thru the night. After a few nights she was having good soft stools and the prunes got to be as needed. Now she doesn't need any help at all. Apple sauce and/or apple juice helps, too.
I hope this helps. I really don't like getting into treatments and medications,especially for a baby, if something more natural like food does the trick!!
Good luck Nan

Yes, you can give them both at the same time, and no, I don't think they're related...but that's just my opinion about them being related. My son has acid reflux (he's 10 months old) and the Zantac cut it for a little but, but now he is on Prilosec, sometimes I guess they just outgrow it. I was told by my pediatrician that I could put gas drops in every bottle. and by the way, my son's face got VERY red sometimes...it's probably really more painful for us than it is for them!! Good luck - and the acid reflux will get better!

I don't know if he ever gets a bottle or not, but a really good home remedy for constipation for babies is Karo dark corn syrup, about a teaspoon for 4 ounces of water or formula. Also, formula with iron or iron supplements tends to constipate babies and make them gassy. I had this problem with one of my children. I hope this helps! Also, maybe he has a milk allergy and should switch to soy based products. If you are breast feeding, talk to your doctor and see if you are eating anything that could be causing him problems. Hope this helps.

L. A

Have you either asked or checked with you pediatrician about this situation? My niece had such extreme constipation problems that the pediatrician even prescribed a baby enema along with an mild laxative. I don't want to scare you, I just want you to make sure your child's doctor is aware of the situation. The doctor should be the one to help you decide whether it's just how your child deals with the feeling or if there is an actually a medical problem.

Good luck - I know it's hard to see your child so uncomfortable!

My little guy is now almost 4 months old. He too used to do the exact same thing. His pooping was my #1 question at his apt. (I do have two other children that this didn't happen to) His pediatritian said that they don't have the ability to bear down and push hard enough. Seems funny since you would think it could just slip out. He really seemed like he was in such discomfort which she said was normal for some. As his digestive tract has grown he doesn't have as much of a problem. We did start doing baby yoga and massage too. Really squishing up his legs one at a time, then both together and rubbing his little tummy in a downward motion.

Congratulations on your new little one!

I would try a chiropractor before any meds. And I wouldn't give a 3.5 week old food. That could have serious complications.

Don't rule out food allergies. My son was allergic to diary. Poor little guy. We didn't test him until he was 7 months old. Could have avoided alot of discomfort for him had I known.

Hi L.

I have a now 14 week boy. And just like your little guy it seemed like he stained so hard to poop or when he had gas witch now seems like he has grown out of. He also was on baby Zantac for spitting up so much and it would hurt him and make him cry I put the med. in his bottle. It did not seem to me that the med did much any way and he I think grew out of that problem also he still spits up but it does not seem to hurt him any more and he is not spitting up as much. good luck when I was reading your request I just had to write as I had the same problmes with my little guy and as the weeks went by it got better.

I agree with others in that you should try chiropractics before meds for the acid reflux. With the pooping thing...my daughter was the same way. She was breast fed and would go through a three day rotation (good day, gassy day, poopy day). She would scream with gas for a day and then have a major blow out the next, in her armpits and all. Babies have very soft poo that isn't heavy enough to push on the colon to trigger the squeezing that makes you expell the poo. So in turn the gas builds up until there is enough air to push it out. It's all a natural process but painful just the same. We tried gas drops but she quickly outgrew it, I would say within a month or so. Good luck!

HI L. A,

I just wanted to say that we used gripe water for my youngest two kids and it saw a God send. It helped with their gas and crying and the best thing is that it is a natural product.
Hope that helps some and I hope things get better soon!!

L. S.

Hi~
Zantac has a very strong mint flavor that maybe your son does not like. Ask your Pharmacist if they can flavor the med, there might be a small charge for it but it would be worth it if he takes it better. Good Luck!

L.-
I am nt sure where you live, but I know of a fantastic chiropractor who is board certified in Pediatrics. I can get you a certificate for a free consultation for your little one. This is what REALLY helped my two boys. SEnd me a message if you want more info. They have two clinics, one in St. Louis Park and one in Shorewood. Good luck!

Chiropractors can work wonders sometimes. Find one that takes special training in infants and children.

Our kids go to them for everything from ear infections to aches and pains to when they don't sleep well for a couple nights in a row. HELPED EVERY TIME!!!

Our son was only about 15 hours old the first time he went.... Amazing results!

I was told that the whole "food track" is related in ones body. When my son was first born he would throw up everything whenever he ate, he would have bad gas and he was constipated all the time to the point where I knew something was wrong. I brought him to the chiropractor, and I HIGHLY recommend that you try that. They can do SO SO much for babies with these problems. My sons chiropractor also suggested that I give him a probiotic (acidopholis)..not sure I spelled that correctly...BUT I got a powder form from my local natural food store and put some in his bottle twice a day and it started helping. I recommend trying a probiotic for you baby also---what it will do is increase all of the healthy intestional flora that your baby needs to get on track and have a 'normal' food track. Good Luck.

Its totally normal for babies to grunt, strain, cry, turn red, and roll around while pooping. Newborns are using those muscles for the first time, and it takes a while to hone in on how to use them properly.

I would find a chiropractor for him.... and if you are nursing.. only nurse on one breast per feeding. A forceful letdown will cause gas and irritable baby, or reflux like symptoms, so only nursing on one breast per feeding will get him the hindmilk he needs to grow and thrive, and also it will fill his tummy. If you are formula feeding, its proablby the formula. Its very hard to digest and newborn systems are not meant to break down anything but human milk.

I would be VERY hesitant to give a newborn any type of medication, especially reflux meds... its pretty harsh on their systems, and usually doctors treat for reflux when its not reflux at all, just a baby getting his bearings to new food, new environment, using his body outside the womb, etc. I do'nt think reflux is as abundant as everyone thinks... babies are cranky, babies cry, babies strain to poop, they even spit up, especially babies on formula as their body has to really work to digest it.

My daughter was suffering from "colic" gas, acid reflux, most likely allergic to milk protein. I'm not sure if your son is formula, or breastfed but after my daughter was absolutely miserable and in so much pain everyday for hours at a time we took her off of breastmilk and off of formula and put her on a special formula called Enfamil Nutramigen. This formula is good for gassy,colicky,reflux babies. It works too! I saw improvement within 2 hours with my daughter. My daughter went from MISERABLE everyday most of the day to happy and at peace. Enfamil Nutramigen is already broken down protiens or something basically way way easier to digest which also makes pooping a breeze, this formula will not constipate like so many other formulas.