new mom HELP!!! newborn has colic & reflux,,& i need words of encouragement

Katrina - posted on 06/12/2012

Oh Stephanie, I feel ya!! My daughter was 18 months old when she stopped. I found Mylanta to help. Gripe water did absolutely nothing for her. She had to be propped up on an angle to sleep, for the first half hour, on her belly - I was with her the whole time. I kept her on an angle in her cot antil she was too big, as it seemed to help her bring it up a bit easier. I also used to do "bicycle legs" on her a number of times a day. Basically, lay them on their back and sit in from of them. Hold their legs near the ankle and make them do like a peddling motion - like they're riding a bike. This got the wind out of their bellies. My son was bad too and this also worked on him. Not as bad though. With him, I found gaviscon for infants. It was a success!! I just hope you can find an answer soon. Thinking of you

Christine - posted on 06/08/2012

Colic is the worst!!! I have a 7 week old and was diagnosed with a milk protein allergy which caused him to fuss and being held is the only thing that soothes him. Basically, they have colic because of tummy issues. We switched my son to Nutramigen which is a hypoallergenic formula that contains no soy or milk. Sometimes they can have an immature digestive system and some babies can be allergic to both the milk AND the soy. He is doing much better and I am actually getting some sleep! Here are a few things you can try that helped my son...........
1. infant gas drops
2. GRIPE WATER (found it at CVS pharmacy b/c not every store has it)
3. Bean sock ( put dried beans in an old sock and stick it in the microwave~not too hot~ and place it on baby's tummy with a receiving blanket between the bean sock and tummy
4. NUTRAMIGEN- It stinks and so does their poop but WOW what a difference.
5. box fan on high speed (this creates "white noise" which my oldest son's neurologist suggested for his narcolepsy)
Your doctor can actually test for an allergy by putting their poop under a microscope. My son's allergy was so bad that we went from totally breastfed to the stinky NUTRAMIGEN, but it made all the difference in the world! Stick in there! It sounds like you are doing a great job even though you might not feel like it. Remember that you are his world!! I am kind of in the same boat. You can email me anytime (christinewrixon@gmail.com) you need to vent or just have someone to talk to because it can be very stressful. I have a newborn, 14 year old, and a 16 year old.

Kimberly - posted on 06/03/2012

My daughter has reflux and this is very new to me because my 1st daughter was what one would consider "normal". The first few weeks were hard and scary because of the noises the babies make from the reflux...the gagging, wheezing, grunting. My daughter is fair skinned and so she turns so red it seems purple at times and so I always feared she was either choking or not breathing. I even called 911 because I thought she wasn't breathing...turns out she was just pooping and straining a little. The paramedics said I was the 4th call they had from a mommy with a baby who had reflux and it was only 10a so we're definitely not alone. This all made me anxious, obviously paranoid and just scared in general. I was starting to feel pretty down because I couldn't "fix this". It gets better. Just keep telling yourself over and over "it gets better". It's understandable how you feel, the way you feel is "normal". Take it a day at a time. Every little improvement I celebrate. My little one was spitting up so bad it always came out of her nose and now she doesn't...the reflux isn't gone but every improvement makes me happy for her and a little more relieved.

Jolene - posted on 03/12/2012

My baby had the same problem an we put her on Similac for Fussiness n gas and that helped alot. Also there are colic tablets in the health food part of any store or in Walmart they are with all the baby stuff an only like $3 to $4 they helped as well. It can also be teething. I had doctors tell me that children can start teething by a few weeks old and that is true a my daughter started teething at 3 months an first tooth at 4 months. Just bare with him as it is as hard for him as it is for you. Try soothing music as well that helped my baby calm down or just step outside for like 3 minutes. As for the reflux for her it went away with the formula change, sometimes you just have to keep trying tell you find what works best for your little one as something that works for one doesn't always work for all.. Good luck and stay strong...

Maree - posted on 03/05/2012

Hi Stephanie,Having had 2 kids with severe colic and reflux,i know how you feel.



My son is now 11 and had reflux for around 8 months. He was not medicated and i didn't know it was even an option. I was 20 when i had him...and single !!! The first few months was Hell...



My daughter is almost 12 months old. I am married now and have lots of help from my husband but the first couple of months was still very tough.



My daughter had reflux almost the minute my milk came in (same with my son). The nurses didn't believe it could possibly be reflux till the was inconsolable for several days. The Paediatrician was called before i left hospital and diagnosed Reflux. She was put on Zantac which didn't help much and a bit of Mylanta if i was desperate which helped for a little while.



At around 3 weeks old she was put on Losec because it was clear that Zantac was not going to work. Within a week or so,i had a new baby. I had been feeling so down in the dumps and felt like i wanted to give the baby away as i was struggling with her day and night screaming,so when she went from a frantic screaming mess to a dream baby that actually slept for several hours at night...i was so happy.



I know a lot of people don't like to medicate but for me i believe it was necessary. I really didn't think i would cope with another reflux baby after the experiences with my son and i think it is unfair for the baby to suffer needlessly as well.



I have no advice as far as natural remedies as i don't believe they work. Holding the baby upright did nothing for my kids,propping up the cot,putting baby in a swing etc....all useless.



I did find infacol helped with the wind but only after a few days of constant use,i think it actually got a little worse the first night of use. Not sure what Country you are in or what medications you have but i would definately advise talking to a Paediatrician. I know that i now feel a little disappointed that i lost those first few weeks because i had such a hard time and i will never get it back.



If i were you i would try sort it out before your baby gets much older because you really should be enjoying your newborn.



Good luck and let me know how you go