D.R. asks from Broomfield, CO on February 20, 2009
Newborn Gas
My newborn son who is now 6 weeks old gets bad gas around 4-6 am every morning and is obviously uncomfortable and does not sleep well during these hours. He gets a full formula feed at around 3am and we're using soy. Previously were using alimentum with the same results. He does fine, although some gas, during all of the other feeds during the day and night. I recall that my DD had the same issues until she was 3 months, when she finally grew out of it and chalked it up to an immature gut. We used all different formulas with her including soy, lactose free, AR, and finally came full circle back to milk-based. Simethicone drops did not work with her, and my son just spits them up. Is it just my kids, or do all kids go through this ickly 4-6am thing? Any suggestions? I do not produce enough breast milk, so that is not an option here.
So What Happened?™
Turns out this was just a phase and he has grown out of the really bad gassy part. We did not give him anything else for the gas since he was subsequently diagnosed with reflux and we didn't want anything else to upset his little tummy. We did switch to drop-ins bottles and maybe this helped, it's hard to tell. At 4 months, he is now sleeping 11-6 and doesn't make a peep. He does still get occassional gas but I suspect the worst part is over.
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T.E. answers from Denver on February 21, 2009
I don't think all babies go through this, but us lucky moms do! My daughter was the same way, the only thing that worked for us was to pump her legs and then bend her knees into her tummy until the let some loud little toots and usually had a BM. The other thing that helped was she also ate smaller meals more frequently until she was 6 months old and went to solids.
We did the same thing with all the formulas, and all the different types of bottles very expensive experience other than that she was a great baby.
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M.M. answers from Denver on February 21, 2009
I dont have any answers for you, only true empathy. My two boys (one now 8 weeks old) has same issue. I dont produce enough breast milk either so I feel your pain there too. We use Enfimil Gentle Ease, but not sure that makes any difference. My oldest out grew it at about 4 - 6 months. But I know how tired you are and am right there with you. My SIL gave me something called Gripe Water she bought at Target. She swears by it. I may go get some and try it for more than one night and see. Good luck and congratuations.
D.K. answers from Denver on February 21, 2009
If it just that window of time during the day I am not sure what to tell you.
I know my daughter had tummy issues, we tried soy, lactose free formulas. She had reflux too and the only thing that helped her was Nutramigen formula, as it is predigested. Turned her tummy issues around.
Burping well during the feedings and my giving my babies mylicon BEFORE the feeding always helped. I say turn to your Pediatrician if you really are concerned. Hugs!
M.C. answers from Denver on February 21, 2009
No solutions for you, just another tip to cope: warm a wash cloth in the microwave for about 20 seconds (not much longer than that, you don't want it to catch fire) so it feels like a little heating pad. Put the cloth on top of baby's belly (not directly on skin) and hold him up right over your shoulder to try and get a burp. He'll feel some relief and if he burps, he'll feel even better.
Our Ped. said that a lot of kids have some degree of Reflux. It has to do with the valve that connects the stomach and the esophogus (sp?) having not formed completely, so the stomach juices come back up and it feels like heartburn for the poor little ones. She said they usually grow out of it by a year in age.
K.H. answers from Boise on February 21, 2009
It could be acid reflux. All three of my kids had it. My oldest two had the curdled spit up and it affected them all the time. My youngest one did not have all the horrible spit up but she was just miserable at night. We had her testd and it was "silent" acid reflux. It is worse at night when they are laying down and later in the night when they are not sleeping as deeply it keeps them up more. You could bring it up with your doctor and see if it's a possibility. Getting my baby on some zantax was the greatest thing that ever happened for her!!
M.R. answers from Denver on February 21, 2009
Put Mylicon drops in his nighttime bottle and be sure to burp him after every bottle.
J.L. answers from Denver on February 20, 2009
Have you tried Gripe Water, it helped my now 4 month old. And its natural...
E.B. answers from Provo on February 21, 2009
Hello! Just a quick thought. Have you been changing your formula around a lot? Making so many changes in a little person can cause all sorts of tummy troubles. It may just be his fussy time. My 2nd daughter had this from about 11pm to 1 am. And don't get me started on my first. Lets just say that we tried all different kinds of formula for her and nothing really helped. I have however liked the new similac advanced with the little gold shield on it. It has worked wonders for my little one. I also didn't really try too many new things with her while she was little and it helped a ton. Anyway, I hope this makes sense and helps a bit! good luck!
C.C. answers from Denver on February 21, 2009
Hi D. -
My first was very gassy and had problems from his first weeks. Baby massage worked amazingly well to relax him and many of the movements are geared toward helping moves things along in the digestive tract.
Here's a couple of things to try when your little one is gassy:
1. during tummy time fold his knees up into his belly and let him lay there with his bottom in the air. You can also do this when he is laying on your tummy. The warmth will be comforting.
2. with your baby laying on his back on the floor or in your lap, loosely ring your thumb and fingers around his thighs just above the knees. Gently press his legs into his tummy and slowly roll his legs from left to right in the direction of digestion for about a count of 5 then let him relax then repeat the motion a few more times as he will allow. His bottom will rise up a little and he may even turn a little red in the face. He will most likely toot more than once and will be happier when it's over.
Hope that helps you!
C.
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