Help!

[Hannahsmom925]

I am writing this in hopes that someone can shed some light.  I am breastfeeding my 7 week old daughter and have been since birth.  Everything was going great until she started having crying episodes where nothing would comfort her except nursing.   She also suddenly pulls away while feeding, arches her back and screams in pain.  The Dr put her on Zantac and for three days afterwards she was a totally different baby.  Then she had another episode of crying for approx. 4-5 hours.  We called the Dr and they told me to eliminate dairy from my diet for a week.  I did this and again she was like a different baby.  Then I ate mashed potatoes without thinking about the milk in them. The next day she cried for 10 hours unless she was at the breast.  My husband and I again took her to the Dr's and he stated that she must be allergic to milk and that I must strictly avoid all dairy and soy products.  My daughter is still crying at times, arching her back, and pulling away while feeding.  She also seems to choke and gag at times while feeding. Oh I forgot to mention that she is extremely gassy, has normal bowel movements with only one episode of diarrhea.  Everything seems to point to a milk allergy and reflux however she is gaining weight!!  She was 5lbs 12oz at birth and now at 7 weeks is 10lbs!  
Does anyone have any advice, insight, or suggestions?  My husband and I are so frustrated b/c we can tell our little girl is in so much pain.
Thank you all in advance!

[vet_tech428]

My son was very similiar as a baby.  He would nurse every every hour on the hour.  Now 9 years old we are dealing with a whole new issue of what I think is related to reflux.  When he was a baby, I had to nurse him in an almost upright position because he would regurg so much after nursing I was afraid he wasn't getting "enough".  That seemed to help with the gas pains as well.  Breast feeding is still the best for your baby provided that there is not a medical issue that needs attention.  I know that changing your diet can be difficult, but in the long run this is only a short period of time that you will have to sacrifice for the sake of your child.  Breast feeding doesn't last that long and I know that when things don't go smoothly it's hard to stick it out.  My son was one of the fussiest, gasiest, and neediest breast fed babies around.  But I'm glad I was able to work through all the mess and long nights.  I hope there is nothing more serious and that you and your daughter can somehow find comfort in what is meant to be a wonderful bonding experience.  

[ponderousmom]

the repositioning alone helps reflux dramatically--and my daughter gained weight too--she was a comfort eater, i didnt even know she had reflux until she had an aspiration.  my doc told me that when they have bad breath, you know a bad spell is coming.

[zaksmommy]

Wow - that was my son to the T. I had to stop breast feeding and go to nutramigen. Alimentum made him worse and he had to be put on "Simply Thick" because he had the barium swallow test and it showed the milk splashing into his air way cause him to arch and pull away. Check with Dr and you can get Simply Thick online or at Gordon's Food Services or at some hospitals. Also - check with your insurance, if the Dr gives a not of medical necessity, some insurances will reimburse you for it. It is about $60.00 a case.