Could this be reflux/colic or just bad wind?

Hi,

DS is 4 weeks old and ever since he was born he has made moaning /whining sounds in his sleep. However the last week he has been constantly moaning and it's usually around the time he needs a poo which he generally does once a day/two days and is quite runny. He also has really bad wind most of the time and goes red and looks in pain when passing wind.

He is sick after most feeds, sometimes alot but sometimes just a bit of watery milk. He is also starting to cry more when settling and also sometimes refuses his milk which he has never done before.

He is on Karicare formula and we give him 20 ml warm boiled water before each feed.

If it's just bad wind I don't know how to relieve it. We use infacol and also massage his tummy every day with warm oil.

Any ideas?

Hi Sarah, a lot of the things that you mention above indicate reflux to me, you have described a lot of symptoms that only expierince would give you.

If this is getting worse and he is getting more and more unsettled, then you should get to your doctor and ask their opinion. Be firm though as a lot of times they do tend to say oh it is colic, it will go away soon. You are the mum and you know when something is up.

If the feeding refusal gets worse, or if the irritability becomes constant, or he becomes very unsettled and screams a lot and nothing can settle him, then it is more than likely reflux and it is starting to get bad then you should ask for medication to get it under control.

For now you can try practical things like changing the formula to a hypoallergenic one, a lot of the time a milk protein intolerence causes reflux and tummy problems, you can hold him upright as much as possible, use a baby swing, keep him upright after a feed as long as you can. Incline the bed in some way.

Hope this helps, let us know if things get any better or worse.