We have been playing the formula game with my 3 week old daughter. She started on Enfamil but was throwing up a lot...then the dr. switched us to Alimentum - the hypallergenic formula. She continued to turn red and scream constantly from gas pains and some times it would take almost 24 hour for her to have a bowel movement. The dr. then switched us to soy, but she was throwing that up non-stop, so today they put us on Nutramigen - the Enfamil version of the hypoallergenic formula.

I've tried the Mylicon drop and don't see a result - and I've done the leg pumps to help her with the gas, but she still turns red and screams a LOT. Any advice? I'm going crazy not knowing what to do for her and sleep deprived is an understatement.

Thanks.

Have you asked the doctor about reflux or silent reflux. My cousin's son had very similar issues and when she finally convinced the doctor it wasn't colic (her first child had colic) and he put the baby on zantac, she had a completely different child.

DS had reflux, too but not to the extent of my cousin's kid. Would get gassy and spit-up. Was also a terrible burper, so after a long time of trying to burp ds, I'd put him in his crib and then he'd hurl a little while later. Bleah! We had to raise the end (head side) of his crib, too.

Stay on the nutramigen if you can afford it. It was a miracle formula for our son. He was colic, throwing up, had acid reflux, and simply cried all the time. I thought i was going crazy. We changed to Dr Browns Bottles, switched to nutramigen, put him on two tsp of Kondremul (laxative, very gentle) and in about three days, he was a completly different child sleeping through the night. Try to take out all the air that causes gas and cramping. Sounds like acid reflux so do not lay them down after you feed; my son lived in his bouncy chair until we got his reflux under control.

Good luck,

My son (now 3) had reflux really bad from day 1. We tried everything you could think of. Finally his Dr. prescribed Prevacid (after the Zantac quit working on the 3rd day) and it was a lifesaver. Good luck, just remember they eventually outgrow it.

My sister in law had the same issue with her son. She used the formula you spoke of and Zantac. At night, the doc had her mix a bit of cereal in to his bottle to help with the reflux.

I agree with all here, I would make sure you check the bottles that you are using. Dr. Browns i heard is good as well. but i use the platex nurser with the latex flat top only the slow flow only as well. i stupidly bought the fast flow once and wow the baby was drinking too fast and it was just horrible with gas.

Burp baby right before you feed.
Burp baby after every 1 1/2 to 2 ounces .
Burp baby after you are finished.

I know it seems like a lot but it does help some.
You dont have to pat hard you could just rub. Dont forget that they go through growth spurts at about 3,6,8,10,12,14,16 weeks and so forth. Its a race to keep drinking formula but try to make sure you stick with the burping before during and after. It will surely help. Also the football hold helps the discomfort and the swing we used as well was a life saver. If you do not have one get one. Or ask mom to go get one for ya. After feeding if you need a break of holding baby put baby in that swing. That soothing swinging feeling can comfort some kids.

NOw as for YOU!!!! You NEED to take a breathe and relax and know that this will pass.....I am sure you are going nuts trying to deal with this and crying from the lack of sleep. If you are home with baby during this time then sleep when the baby sleeps. DO NOT become super mom.... THat laundry for dh can go to the dry cleaners, you only need a clean tshirt and shorts....Baby's clothes can be hand washed real fast before you go to bed at nijght and dry in the morning....Dont worry about keeping up with the house too too much right now....You need to sleep when baby does atleast twice a day. Regardless of who says what to you.(been there) That kitchen floor will still be there tomorrow but your baby will be a day older and you wont get that back tomorrow and your health is more important than the dishes. You are not being lazy if you take care of yourself and your baby first. Trust me been there.!;)

Hugs to you

Thanks for the tips. We switched to the Nutramigen formula last Wednesday morning and it has helped her be able to have more frequent bowel movements. She still has the gas, but at least it's productive now which has given her some relief. Expensive formula, but luckily we got a RX from the doctor and my insurance company covers it 100% (a lifesaver!!). She is still passing a LOT of gas and I've noticed in the last two days she is still quite spitty and gassy, so the dr. said if it doesn't improve we can try an acid reflux medicine...I just wasn't sure if acid would cause lower gas - I assumed it would be more burping.

We were given a papasan swing which has been AMAZING. It is super snug and swings both side-to-side and front to back and the seat is slightly elevated which I was happy about because it lowered my stress about her spitting up in her sleep. Since we brought her home from the hospital, she has been sleeping in her swing at night next to the bed until we get this issue resolved and will eventually move to her crib.

I guess I'll see how she is in the next day or two and then may have to ask for the acid reflux RX. So acid would cause her to pass a lot of gas and have the pains causing her to turn red and pull the legs up? I feel like a dumby not knowing all this, so thank goodness for this board - it may help keep me sane right now :)

new mommy, congrats. on the birth of your daughter. My son had problems like that for along time before we found out what was causing it.(reflux). On her more painful days try to wrap her tight in a blanket where she can't really move and just hold her, rock her or put her in the swing for awhile. This helped my son. They say that the heat build up helps releive the cramps.


Kim