Gassy baby

[Djan2011]

My two and a half month old son started being extremely fussy about four days ago. He's been really gassy and gripe water seems to help but only for an hour or two. I'm exclusively breastfeeding. My diet hasn't changed other than cutting out dairy cause it gave him diarrhea. Does anyone have any advice on what I can do for him? He does also have a clogged tear duct but the dr didn't even mention his fussiness or gas. Just gave us a prescription for his eye and sent us on our way. Any input would be appreciated I am a first time mom. Thank you

[Ashelen]

there is a script they can give you for gas...my son was really gassy and the doctor gave me a script for it...I ended up not getting it filled and he grew out of it when we switched to formula later.

But I really wanted to comment; my daughter was born with a clogged tear duct and we were told to massage it daily in hopes that it would mature and fix itself...you're supposed to start above the duct on the inside of the nose and gently put pressure and massage slowly downward to squeeze all the gunk out of the eye and open it up...repeat this 5 times, 3 times a day. Hopefully this will help, and my guess would be that you were given allergy drops to hopefully dilate the duct? I wish they had done this with my daughter when she was younger...she's 2 1/2 and her duct is still blocked. we're just now finally trying eye drops and if that doesn't work this summer she's getting surgery to get it fixed....it's constantly gunking and tearing and my perfect little girl always has a red/gunky eye from rubbing it so much....I just don't want her to get to kindergarten and get teased about it...as shallow as that seems it's a real concern for me. that and the risk of infection is pretty high....but good luck with your little one I really really hope he outgrows it!

[Heatherm4]

I had a terrible time with my son and tried anything and just about everything that I could think of to help him. His issue ended up being the dairy in my system so I took all that out and out of the formula I would use at times and he's changed sooo much. It took a few days to help but you already said you've tried that!
Have you thought about a lactation consultant? Is he making clicking sounds when eating or is his latch wrong or taking air in? I myself also have a fast let down and that would make my son gulp a lot so I've also tried block feeding at times but apparently your baby gets used to the fast let down after a bit. My DS is 5 months tomorrow and it's just been the last few weeks that we've figured everything out for him!
It could take a while but I'm sure you'll find what will work!
Something else that would calm him the most was a homeopathic drop called "Colic 0-9" but I think it's a Canadian product. Not sure where it's available.

[Djan2011]

That's a good idea. Thank you. I've been letting him feed on one breast each feeding for quite some time now. I had gotten mastitis and started doing it then. I was thinking it could be too much foremilk as well but that's the only thing I know to do to help with that. Which I've already been doing lol

[Djan2011]

yes it seems theres always something. Every day is an adventure :)  We tried the mylicon drops before. They didn't help at all :/  that's why we started giving him the gripe water. And holding him upright on my chest while bouncing or rocking seems to calm him down. We took him to the dr who gave him a prescription for a vitamin supplement that's supposed to help with overall intestinal health. Thank you :)

[trying43]

Mylecon constipates my little one, we are also exclusively breastfeeding.  If your diet hasn't changed it may be that your baby is getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk which is the richer fatter milk. It will make your little one very gassy and fussy.That was part of my baby's problem at one point, she will be five weeks Monday.  I only feed her one breast at a time now vs trying to offer both and midway through a feed I detach her and burp her and then let her continue.  I also let her feed till she falls asleep or let's go and I burp her again.  It has helped a lot with the gas problems and I haven't had to give gripe water in about a week now.   Go to the breastfeeding board and describe your child's feeding habits, how long etc, BMs, your diet and all you are doing and they may have some more ideas to help.  Good luck to you.

[mamaof4410]

I would use the mylicon drops and this use to work for my babies (i have 3) I would take a blanket and hold him on your chest,you sitting up or laying down. Wrap the blanket around him and just tuck the blanket around him on your chest. Put his legs as far up to his chest as you can and just pat his back. When i have gas it feels better when im curled up (TMI). It would work everytime. good luck

[HeatherLF16]

I would try gas drops (mylicon).  I wasn't able to breastfeed didn't work out, but my baby was very gassy/colicky the first couple of months of his life.  You can give these drops alone, or put them in a bottle up to 12 times per day it really helps with the air bubbles they swallow that cause gas.  It probably has nothing to do with your diet if you haven't changed anything, but babies swallow tons of air from crying and feeding.  Also, try burping the baby more often.  I know my little boy liked swaddling too up until he was about 4 months old he would stop crying immediatley.  He is now 8 months old and has outgrown the gassiness, but now he is teething.  If it's not one thing it's another :)  Good luck to you.