Gurgly tummy and terrible wind @ 5 months

[peekay]

Hi

My DS is now 5 months old and has had issues with his tummy and feeding since birth. He was recently diagnosed with reflux and is taking Zoton for this (about 2 months now). His feeding, however, is still really unsettled (fusses, kicks, pinches me, comes off and on constantly, whimpers sometimes) and his tummy still gurgles and he has obvious discomfort from this. Last night I brought him into bed with me after he woke up 5 times within an hour and I could hear his tummy making noises and then he would wake up and cry. His sleeping has also gotten worse. He used to sleep 7 hours every night then wake 2 hourly, but now he's lucky to do 4 hours. I've been to my gp so many times I'm sure she thinks I'm an over anxious first time mum

Has anyone had any experience with something similar? I went dairy and wheat free before his reflux diagnosis (was this way for about 6 weeks) but the dr told me it was unlikely to be related to my diet. Should I go back and see his paed? Does this sound normal to you?

Your advice would be appreciated

[*Lisa*]

My DS is 4 and 1/2 months old and is breastfed and he has always been fussy during feeds with kicking and hitting my breasts and coming off and on. I don't think it is anything to worry about it's fairly normal for babies to do. Is your DS breastfed? Sometimes they do this because they get fussy when the milk isn't coming down as quickly as they would like and they have to work for it.

Also it is around the age when they get easily distracted, my DS comes on and off all the time now because of sounds and wanting to look at me as well as feed at the same time. My DS has always had a gurgly tummy but I think this is also nothing to worry about, when I've had something to eat or drink often I can hear my own tummy gurgling. It's probably just the milk in his tummy or he might have wind.

My DS has also started making little whimpering noises lately when he is feeding but like all the other strange sounds and things babies do I just put it down to normal baby behaviour. He is definitely not in pain and doesn't cry any more than usual during the day.

If you're really concerned though and think your little man really is in pain or something is wrong you should take him to see his pediatrician, I wouldn't bother with your GP except for a referral to your pediatrician. I have found my GP to be useless when it comes to my little boy but the pediatrician has always put my mind at ease, best to stick with the experts.

[Gigi]

when our bub was in pain like that, for first six months, we gave her a dose of non-alcoholic gripe water. three minutes later, she would poop, and then give a huge smile of relief. it would be over, we'd change her, she'd happily go to sleep.

gripe water - sold at woolworths next to bonjella and baby wipes.
i saw another type at the chemist, with one percent alcohol in it - our baby hated the taste of that one.

[mesnyme]

My DS is 5mo and he has had the same experiences with feeding. It has gotten so bad though that he would only eat while sleeping in the car in his car seat. I would have to pump and get him ready 6 times aday. This has been so hard on us. My pediatrician initially did not think it was allergies either and ... with all due respect, i feel like GP's are generally under educated in the field of allergies. Even after we saw mucusy poop and then bloody poop - our doc said "oh allergies are so rare." He treated for acid reflux for 3months - no help. Finally we went to a GI specialist - my DS has allergies - so far we know Milk, soy, wheat, fish ... and either pumpkin or apple(sauce)? It happens. Even if there isn't blood in the diapers - it still could be allergies, according to the GI specialist I see. This pattern of feeding is not normal and it can lead to a distrust or even feeding aversions if the LO is in pain from either reflux or allergies. Also, i have learned that when there is a milk protein allergy, about 50% of the time there is a soy allergy too. I currently am only eating turkey, rice, and yellow squash. that's it. My DS is improving significantly. Due to his lack of nursing at the breast - I have to supplement him with an amino acid based formula, there are 3 of them and they are like mirical formula! Nutramigen AA (Great), Neocate (good), or elecare (not so good) all 3 can be purchased and ordered through your local pharmacy w/o prescription - but they are expensive. It takes up to 2weeks for the milk protein to leave your system and then an additional 2 weeks to leave your LO's system. It can take a while to see huge improvements. My doctor suggested we stop breast feeding for 3 months, but as long as I can stick to this strict elimination diet - I am continuing to bf. -
It may not be allergies in you case and it could just be a more severe form of reflux - but get a second opinion... gp's really aren't that good in this area in my experience. If it wasn't for the intervention of the GI specialist my DS may have given up on eating all together - it's nothing to mess around with!! it could really lead to some bad feeding habits or aversions. Good luck.