A.W. asks from Ely, IA on September 16, 2006
Inconsolable Infant
I have a 4 week old baby. She was recently put on Zantac for acid reflux, however she is still inconsolable. She seems constipated and maybe it's gas too but when she's awake she's crying. She spends more time crying than content when she's actually awake. We are at our wits end. The Ped has set her up for a upper GI test but I don't think that it's the acid reflux at this point. She will arch her back and just wail. It really seems like something inside is hurting her. She was switched to the Nestle Good Start-Soy a week ago and that hasn't seemed to help her. We've tried prune juice and the mylacon drops but she's still SO upset all the time. The Ped ruled out colic as well because it's not a specific time that she's upset, it's ALL the time. She'll wake up from a sound sleep crying like something is hurting her. I know she's constipated since her bowel movements are formed and not the peanut butter consistancy. She had some surgery at 10 days of age but it wasn't anything around her intestines. They took her tail bone out but again didn't touch the intestines or bowels. IS this just a wait it out game until she gets older or are there any suggestions out there for us. I just hate to see her in pain all the time.
1 mom found this helpful
So What Happened?™
Well, our little girl spend Saturday night with Grandma and family. She was very well behaved and has been ever since. We have been giving her the gas drops before each meal and switched her back to the Similac. So 3 days now and counting for a calmer baby. She is a very different kid. The drops actually help her. I was skeptical at first because they didn't help with my other two children but they seem to work for her. Yea!!! I find that I still walk around with her on pins and needles waiting for that screaming child to come back but with fingers crossed and a few well placed prayers she will continue to be a more content baby. Thank you everyone for your support and responses. Your kind words and support helped me feel like I'm not a horrible mother and that I'm not alone in dealing with this problem.
Featured Answers
D. answers from Indianapolis on September 17, 2006
A.,
We had this w/ my second baby. Honestly, I added equal parts formula and rice cereal to water. I cut X's in the bottle nipples and fed him like that + Zantac--you can't miss a dose + keeping him erect most of the time. He had to sleep a lot on my shoulder, or in the baby swing. If that still doen't help--there are othere meds out there!!
L.W. answers from Louisville on September 16, 2006
My daughter had the same problem and I was told she was Lactose Intolerant. I started her on Nutrimegen formula and didn't have any more problems with gas or hard stools again. The only downfall Is It's expensive and hard to find. I had Kroger on State ST In New Albany order It for me so I never had to worry about running out. I hope this helps :)
L.
More Answers
K.H. answers from Indianapolis on September 17, 2006
Hello A.. Both of my daughters have similiar problems, and their pediatrician said they were both lactose intolerant. Try switching formula, I use Enfamil Lactose free, and I also used Similac Lactose free for my oldest daughter. And also try sitting your child up for at least 30 minutes after feeding, and burping. These techniues helped my girls out greatly. Good luck.
J. answers from Indianapolis on September 16, 2006
Why did the ped rule out colic? There is a great book called The Happiest Baby on the Block, that I would recommend. My baby boy was very angry from almost the minute he was born and was extremely colicky but the book really helped us. One thing we did was run the blow dryer and it really calmed him down. Good luck and hang in there.
J.S. answers from Norfolk on September 17, 2006
my daughter was on Zantac as well until she was 6 months old. The symptoms are almost identical. I never had to get surgery for her though. She was placed on soy and it took about 1 month for her to be back to normal. She was on Soy until she was 1 year old. I transitioned her into cows milk and she does fine with it.
I did the mylacon drops, I did everything they told me....Still, I had a miserable baby. i felt hopeless and like it was my fault. It made me feel miserable. If this is anything like I had with Elizabeth, I can tell you it will get better.
I used to lay her on her back and make her legs peddle like a bicycle to relieve the excess gas. This seemed to soothe her. But, again, I know how it feels to have a miserable baby. It seems like it will never end. Things will get better. Do you live in Tidewater? If so, who is your pediatrician?
A.O. answers from Evansville on October 06, 2006
Try Enfamil Nutramigen Lipil. It's hypoalergenic and the milk proteins are easier to digest.
M.D. answers from Charleston on September 17, 2006
A.,
My son was the same way. The Zantac and Mylocon are a waste of money and un-needed. I tried them all, and if they are not helping the problem then that's not the problem.
My son would go 10 to 14 days without a bowel movement and then when he went it would be everywhere. He was the most unhappy child, always screaming and arching his back as if in constant pain. It was heartbreaking not being able to console him. I had a ped tell me at his 6 month check-up that I was just a paranoid first time mom. I immediately switched doctors. He was put on the maximum dose of lactulose for his size three times a day, put on prune juice, and sent for a GI test with a gastro at MUSC. He was diagnosed as severely constipated. Surgery was discussed if the meds didn't work. Thankfully, the meds and juice worked and he was going at least once a day. He immediately became a happy rambunctious child. He is now four, and finally potty trained (I was warned that the constipation could come back when we started potty training and it did). I still keep an emergency stock of Glycolax (provided by his ped) for those times when he hasn't gone for three or more days. I have spent many hours on the floor of the bathroom with both of us in tears as he "tried" to go.
I know at times it seems that you are the worst mom in the world for not being able to console your child, but you aren't. You are wonderful! Be your child's advocate and keep up the fight. Get her the help she needs.
Stay strong, we are all with you!
L. answers from Spartanburg on November 04, 2006
I was exactly where you are 20 years ago and scared to death.
Luckily for you times have changed doctors and formula companies care if your baby cries. You will make it though
this I promise. Does your baby spit up????
My granddaughter would start crying everyday at 4:45 to 5:00.
Cry for maybe two hours. Arching her back and wailing!
We used gas drops. Did super burping jobs. Purchased a swing which helped her sometimes sleep through it. Eventually, my daughter was distraught, and I was out of ideas. I went to target <Grandma Break> Purchased a Playtex Vent Air bottle,
She was using Avent, and Rice cereal. We've now had four days without gas drops, And without CRYING!!!!!Also, your baby would be to young for juice so purchase <Colace for infants laxative drops>.Its a little pricy but worth it!
Try Vent Air Bottle, Your soy formula, and colace first.
Enfamil makes a formula with Rice starch in it its easier on the tummy than rice itself..Enfamil AR. I dont know if goodstart makes a soy AR.
When you start cereal use a small amount like 1/2 tablespoon
gradually move up to 1 tablespoon and so on. Also it works better if you purchase a stage 2 nipple for cereal.
Please let me know how your both doing...
A.M. answers from Greensboro on September 17, 2006
My daughter was the sameway. I had to put her on goats milk. Maybe this will help.
Rubbing her belly while she is lying across your legs migth help. Have you tried moving her legs like she is on a bike? That might help the gas also.
Maybe a enemia so she can have a bowel movement.
Hopefully this works.
W.P. answers from Greensboro on September 16, 2006
Hey!!My grandson was on Zantac also.He was on Infamil w/iron and was ok on that although I added cereal to it to help him rest some.But we put a book under the mattress to elevate him some and that seemed to help a little.The dryer,vacuum and hair dryer also worked.I loved the hair dryer for the longest time!!!TrWe also tried the leg thing pushing them in towards the belly and it was a relief also.Good luck!!!
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