Feeling a little upset

Hello ladies.  It feels good to know that I can always turn to this forum to chat to women who are going through the same thing as myself.  I have a 6-week-old who's having a pretty huge problem with gas.  We noticed that she has a pattern, screaming non-stop from 9pm-2am.  My husband and I try everything possible to comfort her but sometimes it feels impossible.  Last night was probably the worst and I felt so incompetent and angry that I can't help her.  She's breastfed and my doctor's suggesting that I try putting her on formula exclusively to see if that's her reaction to my milk.  I'm afraid that my milk supply will reduce if I don't put her to the breast once in a while.  I am one confused mother.  This is my first (as most of you can probably tell).  I guess I just need some words of encouragement.  I know that all babies suffer from gas (some worse than others) and that I need to probably just wait it out but I feel terrible for my child.  Many of you probably might suggest gripe water or Mylicon drops, massaging the belly or putting warm towels to the belly, rocking her or singing to her... we've tried it all and nothing helps. The only way she will calm down is if I put her to the breast.  How can I put her on formula if the only thing that calms her is being on the breast??? Any advice???

[Crritter]

Wow, sounds like colic to me.  I'm so sorry that it's been so hard for you.  My son would scream all night too.  I would try some formula but keep pumping to keep up your supply, just to see if it works (only if you are comfortable with it though.)  My son was the same way and we just had to wait till he outgrew it, have you tried shushing your baby in the ear loudly?  Sounds weird, but the noise helps, so does running water, vaccuums, stuff like that.  I found a white noise cd that helped some, but it really did take a while till he got past it.  Started at 3 days and lasted a good 4 months, it always seemed like gas, cuz he would pull his little legs to his chest and wail.  Hope you can find something to soothe your little one.  Oh, also try placing your infant carrier and baby on the dryer, works for some.  Good luck, you are not alone on this one, lost of us have been through this and it will get better.

[Me2mommy2b]

Thanks, crriter.  We do shush in her ear, she will listen for about 5 seconds and then start screaming again.  But I do understand that there is probably nothing I can do to completely eliminate the problem.  She just needs to outgrow it.  Boy, will we be glad when she's a happy, gasless child!!

[Crritter]

I know, it's so unfair!  You should be aboe to enjoy your little baby, not be terrified when they start screaming.  It breaks your heart to see them so upset.  Hopefully someone will have something that works for you.  Good luck, just don't get down on yourself, it's not your fault, your little one is jut a bit more difficult.  (That's what our pediatrician told me, some are just lucky and get an easy baby, others are not as lucky, but once it stops it will get so much better.)  Good luck!

[misseltoe]

She may be something in your milk.  Some babies can't handle dairy.  I would probably start eliminating things from my diet before giving formula.  But you have to do what you feel is best.

It does sound like colic and unfortunately most babies have to outgrow it.  It sure is hell on the parents though!

I would see if it is acid reflux or something like that as there is medications the doctor can give your baby if that is the case.

But if the only thing that makes your baby feel better is breastfeeding I certainly wouldn't stop.

With it happening at around the same time every night I would say it is probably colic.

I hope things improve very soon.  Every one that I know that has had a baby with colic says it is pure hell.  You have my sympathy.

[kellym]

Wow, it's not just us!
My baby is 5 weeks today.  Last night was horrid, was it a full moon??? My baby (girl, Lily) likes to fuss especially from 6pm-12am. She's a night cryer as well. I don't know why she feeds and then sleeps during the day and is excessively gassy at night.  Last night I tried a lavender warm bath for her with the lavender lotion to follow. Then I nursed her. STILL GASSY. I bounced her up and down on my legs as if she was jumping and then laid her on her back and did like a bicycle motion which seemed to help her gas come out. Also, I use the mylicon. My friend said she used to give her daughter the mylicon before and in between each breast which seemed to help. For some reason mine is soothed by the breast as well but I'm trying to impliment the pacifier to help with that. Last night she didn't even want the breast. Well, I wish you the best of luck and can't wait to read more responses.
Kellie

[JJety]

Definitely get some Mylicon drops, if you haven't already.  They helped my DS sooooooo much.  They're a blessing.

[Me2mommy2b]

Thank you for your post!!! I'm sorry you're going through this as well but in a way I'm glad that I'm not alone and at least I don't feel like I'm doing something wrong and hurting my child.  Let's keep in touch and tell each other little things that might help our gassy children.

[neparker]

My DD was very colicy too.  It sucked.  I cried all the time becasue there was nothing I could do to make her stop.  My DH though was very supportive.  He would take her after I changed and feed her on a car ride.  It worked everytime.  She would cry for a long time still in the car, but he would be back in an hr and she would be sound asleep.  We wouldn't even take her out of the carseat some nights because she would just wake back up and start all over.

With both my DS and DD, I couldn't eat anything with tomatoes in it.  Spaghetti, pizza, anything.  Track what you eat for a while, it would be you are eatting something that makes her so gassy.

[NataliesMommy]

My daughter had colic and there were a few things that helped.  First was sitting her on our knee and bouncing her big time.  The bouncing really helped even when she was in my arms I would swing and bounce her at the same time.  The gas drops I would give her just before feeding her.  The third thing which truly was a huge help was white noise.  The doctors office told me to run the vacuum out in the hallway.  Just the monotone sound was very soothing to her.  I bought one of those machines that plays outdoor noises but has a white noise button, basically static.  She loves it.  All of these together helped with the problem but did not alleviate it all together.  Time,, tears and prayer helped.  Be patient and best wishes.

[NataliesMommy]

My daughter had colic and there were a few things that helped.  First was sitting her on our knee and bouncing her big time.  The bouncing really helped even when she was in my arms I would swing and bounce her at the same time.  The gas drops I would give her just before feeding her.  The third thing which truly was a huge help was white noise.  The doctors office told me to run the vacuum out in the hallway.  Just the monotone sound was very soothing to her.  I bought one of those machines that plays outdoor noises but has a white noise button, basically static.  She loves it.  All of these together helped with the problem but did not alleviate it all together.  Time,, tears and prayer helped.  Be patient and best wishes.

[NataliesMommy]

My daughter had colic and there were a few things that helped.  First was sitting her on our knee and bouncing her big time.  The bouncing really helped even when she was in my arms I would swing and bounce her at the same time.  The gas drops I would give her just before feeding her.  The third thing which truly was a huge help was white noise.  The doctors office told me to run the vacuum out in the hallway.  Just the monotone sound was very soothing to her.  I bought one of those machines that plays outdoor noises but has a white noise button, basically static.  She loves it.  All of these together helped with the problem but did not alleviate it all together.  Time,, tears and prayer helped.  Be patient and best wishes.

[NataliesMommy]

My daughter had colic and there were a few things that helped.  First was sitting her on our knee and bouncing her big time.  The bouncing really helped even when she was in my arms I would swing and bounce her at the same time.  The gas drops I would give her just before feeding her.  The third thing which truly was a huge help was white noise.  The doctors office told me to run the vacuum out in the hallway.  Just the monotone sound was very soothing to her.  I bought one of those machines that plays outdoor noises but has a white noise button, basically static.  She loves it.  All of these together helped with the problem but did not alleviate it all together.  Time,, tears and prayer helped.  Be patient and best wishes.

[NataliesMommy]

My daughter had colic and there were a few things that helped.  First was sitting her on our knee and bouncing her big time.  The bouncing really helped even when she was in my arms I would swing and bounce her at the same time.  The gas drops I would give her just before feeding her.  The third thing which truly was a huge help was white noise.  The doctors office told me to run the vacuum out in the hallway.  Just the monotone sound was very soothing to her.  I bought one of those machines that plays outdoor noises but has a white noise button, basically static.  She loves it.  All of these together helped with the problem but did not alleviate it all together.  Time,, tears and prayer helped.  Be patient and best wishes.

[kellym]

Well, the fussiness started a little later than usual tonight. I fed her around 7:00 and that wasn't real satisfying for her.  Why is it anytime I go to sit down for dinner does she scream? HEE HEE.
Well, tonight I fed her and put her under the gym on the floor (trying to wear her out) and rocked about an hour, fussing.
She just fell asleep in the bouncy seat on the dining room table, I'm tempted to leave her there.  She's facinated by the chandelier (sp)
I just gave it a swing and she sat and watched it until she dozed off.  I know she's not totally out by the way she's sucking on that pacifier. Now I will attempt to put her in the bassinett next to the bed, yikes, wish me luck!
What did you name your little girl, any details??
Hope you are having an okay night!!