Help!

Hi K....

It sounds like this behavior is happening during/after feedings. So I would guess that he might be having an intolerance to the formula. I would try switching around and see what works best. I was told Nestle Good Start is the most gentle on babies tummies. Or you might find you need to switch to soy. Try keeping him upright after he eats... maybe he is experiencing a little reflux. I have been told Little Tummies Gas Drops work great but it sounds like it hasn't. Maybe some good tight swaddling will help. And if you don't notice a chance, it might be a good thing to give your doctor a ring. Hang in there!

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It could be the formula. My baby was the same way until around the 3rd month. We tried literally 10 formulas. I even took her to what I call a coo-koo Doc to see if his holistic approach would work- which it did, for a day. Finally we found Enfamil GentleEase formula and she has been doing great ever since. It has half the lactose and it doesn't have as much cows milk in it. You might give it a shot. Otherwise, try the Lactose Free, Carnation and if those don't work, try the expensive formuals like Alimentum- which your Doc can give you a sample of.

I know it's hard...good luck.
N.

Ps. When you find the problem, your sweet baby will be back.

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K.,

I don't think it's colic as colic USUALLY starts young and ends at about 12 weeks or so (unfortunately, I experienced it with our first son). Did you just start formula prior to this starting? Did you introduce cereal? Did you change formula?

It could be that the formula doesn't agree with him. I'd talk to your peditrician and try some formula for sensitive stomach's or something like that. I don't have TOO much experience with formula since I BF for 6 months and the formula we switched to (Similac Advance) worked well for our first son and our second son (3.5 months old) is doing well with BM so far.

Good luck, and again I'd at least call the doctor.

T.

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I could be the formula (either a sensitivity or allergy to milk). Any other symptoms? Rash, poop issues (blood, mucus, watery), eczema, vomiting, spitting up a lot, hives?

you can try Isomil (soy based - not milk based). Have you called the ped? How are naps? Any allergies (any type, not just food) in the family?

Maybe reflux? Maybe not getting the food fast enough or too fast?

We see children's memorial pediatric allergists

Good luck!!!

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K., I too have had a similar experience when my daughter was just about 4 months. I was also feeding her the Enfamil Lipil. My daughter was also having trouble with bowel movements. Our doctor recommended we first try adding the mylicon (gas drops) to every bottle. This did not work that much. So, we switched formula to something that did not have extra iron added and have partially broken down iron as well. We changed to the Enfamil Gentlease. We did have to add the mylicon to every bottle still but she eventually grew out of this. Another thing we have used is to add some Karo Syrup (basically corn syrup, find in the grocery store next to the maple syrup) to her bottles (not too much). This softened her stool and made her stomach pain/thrashing disappear. The osmotic change the baby experiences from the sugar is what softens the stool and helps digestion. Our doctor also recommended this method. I don't know if any of this will help, but it might be worth the try because it worked for my daughter. Good luck!

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Hi, K.! I, too, have a 16 week old. She has become more active than ever! In fact, when we put her in a pack n play last weekend, we walked in to find that she had moved 90 degrees!

If your son is arching his back and crying a lot, than he is probably having tummy trouble. My daughter was miserable her first 6 weeks -- arching her back, revving up and crying for hours, wouldn't sleep at all! After six weeks, my husband saw blood in her diaper -- we were alarmed, to say the least. After a frantic call to the doctor and reading Baby 411, we realized that she had an allergic reaction (to cow's milk). We switched to soy formula and now, feeding time -- besides the wriggling around -- is much easier on all of us!

Also, my doctor (who I really like) said that the gas drops are ineffective. If your baby has acid reflux (like mine), the sphincter to the stomach may not be fully developed and gas is getting trapped. I think you would have notice this the first weeks, so I don't think his discomfort is gas. If you think it is, you may want to try Tylenol (ask your doctor first) as this will ease the pain. This is what my doctor prescribed -- and said to throw out the gas drops as they are a waste of money (although some of my friends completely disagree). In our case, the gas drops did nothing since her case was severe (she is now on medication for acid reflux -- and the volatile spitting up has subsided).

Also, our little one sleeps like a champ (first weeks, she wasn't able to sleep much)! Now, at the first notice of sleepiness (yawn, red eyes, etc.) we put her down and sing her songs or talk to her about the day until she is settled in and then we let her fall asleep on her own. Almost always, she is fully sleeping in 10 minutes without much fuss. If we wait too long, she can't calm herself down and fights going to sleep -- in these cases she ends up moving so much she misses her entire nap (which makes the following playtime less fun).

I hope this is helpful and that your little boy feels better soon (and you get some sleep)!!

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Whenever my kids suddenly stop sleeping and eating well I think of ear infection. It can really hurt to lay down or swallow. Take him to the doc to rule that out. If something like that has been going on for 2 weeks I'd be taking him to the doc anyways to try to figure out what's wrong.

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K.,

Sorry to hear that your little one is having such a time. Even you for that matter! Is he having regular bowel movements? I ask because my son went through something similiar when he was a baby. It isn't always gas however it could be a build up of not being able to go potty.
Have you increased his food intake? Perhaps, you should try to water down his formula a little more (just make it a tad less thick)
I would suggest that you discuss this with your pediatrician as soon as possible. Perhaps, they can help you with what may be causing him discomfort.
It sounds like a nasty bout of gas or back up in his system to me. However, I'm not a doctor and I would be more comforted knowing you took him to see one for this problem. It may just be his formula needing to be changed.

Hope this helps Best of luck and wishes~ M.

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Sounds like my kids ha ha
What it sounds like to me - is that now that he's more aware and conscious of you and the difference between you and any other "surface" he wants YOU to hold him.
Does he seem upset when you say he's thrashing?

My son experiments with his voice and grunts, even when he eats you'd think he's fighting his bottle but if I take it away he cries so I think it's just part of them learning to express themselves, learning their voice and sounds etc
Amy

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Hello K.,

Have you taken him to the doctors? If not do that first. It could very well be the formula not agreeing with him, has the doctor given the OK for cereal yet?
My son had been through something similar, but he was a little older, and just acting not like his normal calm, sweet self- he ended up having his first double ear infection and was teething. I took him to the doctors and our family chiropractor. We see our chiropractor regularly and he has been fine since. It is very hard being a Mommy, I hope this helps even a little. Sorry if it does not. Hope your baby feels better soon

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Hi! My son was having a lot of problems. You could tell he was uncomfortable, etc. and just wasn't "himself." We switched to the Gentlease formula (which Target has a brand that is half the price but same ingredients/values). After switching, totally different, happy baby!

You might try the gentlease formula and see how that works.

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Those symptoms seem to sound like Colic..I'd try a different formula...Maybe one for colic babies..My daughter did the similar things..Then I tried That Nutramigin...Seemed to help & then she grew out of it around 6 months..Good luck!

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This sounds just like what my son did when we switched from breast to bottle. I tried Gentle-ease w/ Lipil (light purple can) and noticed a diffrence by the end of the day. The other thing I would suggest is looking up Dunston Baby Language (it is very accurate) and see if any of his noises match the sounds she quotes. Its amazing!!!

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Feel in his mouth to see if he is possibly teething.

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Hi K.. My daughter (now almost 7 months) did the same thing at around 4 months. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that she was rolling over and actually playing with toys during the day that she wanted to keep doing it. Even at that age, they don't want to sleep. But I only think that was part of it. This was about the time she went through a growth spurt...and she was teething on top of that. I think that both of these combined can be very uncomfortable for the little ones. We would give her tylenol occasionally and she would sleep. (she's an early teether because she was born with a tooth and has had another tooth since she was 5 months). She would wake us up in the middle of the night and keep us up for 2 or more hours! This lasted for a while, then she finally went back to her normal routine of sleeping through the night.

Another thought, have you started with baby food yet? Maybe he is having problems with that!

Good luck! HOpefully it's just a phase and you'll be out of it soon!
A.

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Just curious - is he rolling over yet?

Our baby became super squirmy once he learned "hey! I can move now and I don't have to just be on my back staring at the mobile!".

Just something else to consider. Maybe he's wanting to break out and enjoy his new freedom?

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My daughter developed acid reflux just prior to this age and did the same thrashing about. She eventually started vomitting 24/7 and it took several types of medication for several months to get it under control. She was breastfed so I couldn't tell you if the formula has anything to do with it. After we had it under control, she was back to the same happy baby she was before.

How's he pooping? Gas drops won't help with constipation. When we switched my girl from breast to formula, the iron made her constipated. My doc suggested a few things: 1) the q-tip thing...it's a bit rough for us, but she was fine and pooped right away, and 2) Karo syrup, just a little in a bottle of formula helps loosen things up. Also a small bottle of prune juice mixed with water helps things move along too.
The other thing to consider is GERD, Acid Reflux, alot of babes have it. I'd get him checked out by the doc asap, for your sake as much as his. Good Luck

My daughter did the same thing on the Lipil...I switched her to Enfamil Lipil Gentleease and it has worked wonders!!! Soame price and everything!
Good Luck!

Hello K.
I am not sure what great advice I can give to you, however, I am having the same problem right now with my 5mth old and it started right at 4mths. He is my third baby and I thought he has been the best sleeper and happy kid out of the three until now. I am breastfeeding and still having these problems. I think definately it would not hurt to switch formulas to rule that out. I have heard putting a warm rice bag on their belly's helps too (make sure the temp is not too hot) Some mothers also recommend swaddling while feeding and napping (the security of being wrapped tight helps). Goodluck and let me know what works so I can get some relief or should I say rest again.
K.

Try hypoallergenic formula. Its $$$, and it'll take a few days to transition him into it (start by doing 1/4 new with 3/4 old, then every 2-3 days add more of the new and less of the old, until he's on the new stuff. Or maybe he'll accept it right away, mine did pretty good.). When I switched from breast to bottle Claire got progressively more fussy. Doc said it wasnt the formula, but we tried anyway and wow did it help!!!

Also, call the doc about zantac, like the other ladies said. Claire didnt get diagnosed with reflux until 6 mos old. The formula switch helped a lot, but the antacid solved it (zantac helped a tiny bit, letting us know we were on the right track, but it took a much stronger med to work fully). We still, at age two, have the head of her bed propped up with bricks 4 inches higher then the foot of the bed. That's a must.

It sounds exactly like gastroesophageal reflux. Have your pediatrician see him. Not dangerous but treatable.

I had a very difficult child this last time around. I tried gentle ease formula. It was the only thing that didn't make him unbearable with an upset tummy. I'm sorry I don't have more to offer. Good luck to you. If you don't figure this out soon, I think a call to the doctor might be in order. Better safe than.... Well, you know the rest. Follow your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone.

I have three possible conclusions. He could be teething, which often leads to an ear infection due to swelling of the gums which causes pressure in the ears. You said he can only sleep in one position, is that with his head elevated? You can put a couple of books under his crib mattress to raise his head. Or...maybe he is constipated? I hope this was helpful.

Sounds like acid reflux. Try propping him up when he sleeps. Our first slept in his car seat for months (MD reccommended it). Both of my boys used Zantac. Could also just be teething so he feels icky. I would go to your pediatrician just in case.

I second the response about an ear infection. It seems like he only gets upset when he's horizontal - sleeping, feeding. That puts a lot of pressure on the ears and if something's going on, it'll hurt. Good luck!