Baby with belly ache? Lactose intolerant? Colic?

Question

My 4 week old wakes up from her sleep screaming. She will scream until she either burps or spews, which normally takes a very long time. She screams after she has her bottle, we have tried various formulas, and doesn't easily burp then either. Her screaming has lasted from around 9.00am to 2.30pm today. She also has an unsettled period from around 8.00pm-10pm at night.

She doesn't seem to take a full feed properly. She will drink some, won't burp, fall asleep and wake up screaming again. She sucks on her bottle, but doesn't seem to actually swallow properly, and she gets so much in her mouth she coughs and splutters. I have the slowest flowing teats, and the cap on the bottle done up as tight as it will go - the milk still runs down her face.

I've tried gas drops, cycling her legs, rubbing her belly, changing positions when burping her, holding her upright, warm baths, warm wraps on her belly, changing the temperature of her formula... it seems like I've tried everything!

Answer 1

Have you tried breastmilk? Its not too late.

Sounds like reflux.

Answer 2

The Chances of you having a colic or lactose intolerant baby? Slim. Colic isn't hereditary. And for a baby to be truly allergic to breast milk would be rare at best and some might say impossible, I would agree with the latter. I think that babies can be allergic to something the mother ate {my son was} but that can be easily fixed by the mother doing an elimination diet {you stop eating ALL dairy} It's hard, but it can be done. I did it and I love my dairy. A truly lactose intolerant baby wouldn't be able to have Soy based formula either since most babies are allergic to the soy as well as milk protein. Colic is hard but again, do able. My son was colic for 5 months. It goes by fast because your so tired. Good luck and don't worry too much about it. Pick up "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers" By by Jack Newman M.D and Teresa Pitman. I'm a doula and this is the book I have used for my own personal reference and for my clients. It's a must have for any nursing mom. And remember, where there's a will, there's a way :)

Answer 3

My niece was the same way, and she still is at nearly five months. She's better about burping now that she's sitting up more. But, she still sucks on the nipple funny and spits and drools her formula.

With her I just burped and burped and burped until it came out. Sometimes just changing her positon from my shoulder to my lap and putting my hand on her belly while bending her over my hand and patting her back worked.

Have you tried bicycling her legs for a bit. Perhaps, it gas that's causing the problems. Like you said she could also be lactose intolerant. Your peditrican can help diagnose that and give you ideas for formulas. They also say if you keep switching the formulas it can cause stomach problems to worsen.

How regular are her messy diapers? And, what is the consistancy? This might clue your peditrican in on a constipation or stomach ailment also.

My sister just used the milacon drops I know they also have all natural gripe water that helps too. It gets rid of the gas in the belly that the baby can't dispel.

Don't worry, she will get better with getting the gas out each day. And, as she starts to sit up she'll pass it on her own!!

Answer 4

Did you call her pediatrician? She may need a change of formula. If she is not burping well and is swallowing a lot of air during feedings, then she probably has a really big gas bubble that is giving her pain and making her feel not hungry. Call the doctor asap to see what his/her opinion is. If this is your first baby, try to relax because she can pick up your nervousness. It will be easier once you get to "know" each other - you will be better able to read her moods the longer you are together. It does get easier, hang in there!

Answer 5

try talking to your doctor. if your baby screams and cries for more than an hour straight, you should take her to the physician immediately. Your baby may also have pyloric-stenosis.Try also giving her some water in between feedings. Your baby could be lactose tolerant, so you should try the soy based formulas.

If you are breastfeeding, it could be related to your diet. Remove chocolate, garlic, or milk based foods from your diet. Remember that everything passes through your milk, so you should eat alot of fruit and vegetables. My baby had the same problem, and I was breastfeeding. She told me to cut the acid out of my diet, because that causes gas, and is not easy on babies tummy. So cut out oranges, tomatoes, etc.

Also if you smoke that upsets babies. So does wearing perfume. It could be the overall environment your baby is in. Try turning off the television, put on relaxing music for your baby(smooth jazz). ALSO, IF YOU ARE NOT BURPING YOUR BABY PROPERLY OR ENOUGH, that could cause major gas problems.

It could also be the brand of bottle you are using. I know I had to switch brands often until my son was comfortable with a nipple that was similiar to my own nipple. Try buying bottles with nipples that are similar to your own. Also if your baby uses a pacifier, it could be that the switch from pacifier to nipple feels to different for baby,and that is why she is fussy. Try not giving her a pacifier.

A great book to refer to is: "What to expect the first year" by Arlene Eisenberg

Answer 6

If only 4 weeks old and you have tried many formulas that could be a problem and you wont know the true effect of each because the tummy hasnt gotten used to just one. You really should talk to the dr if your child is crying that much it means there is something wrong and to follow with your dr is the best bet. good luck

Answer 7

If she is on a soy formula then it can't be lactose intolerance because soy formulas do not contain lactose, they are not dairy based. If she isn't burping she's got to have some mighty bad gas...Since nothing has worked for you so far I'd take her to the doctor.

Answer 8

You need to talk to your doctor. My daughter breastfeed the first two months and still does, but she wanted to give her baby a bottle a couple of times a day too. He took the bottle, but cried constantly. She had him on enfamil with iron. She also tried it without iron, still a lot of gas and a lot of crying. The doctor switched him to soy and he is doing great. Don't do anything without talking to your doctor though. Have patience, I know it's hard. Good luck.

Answer 9

It sounds to me like she has reflux very common in babies some is severe and some are not sounds like she could have this. When you feed her make sure she is a upright as you can get her and try holding her upright for 30 minutes after she feeds and maybe try sleeping her upright.

Answer 10

My daughter had the same problem and for a while I would let her sleep in her car seat beside my bed because it kinda sits up. Her belly hurt all the time and the dr. switched her to soy formula. Good luck!

Answer 11

try goats milk or another form of lactose free formula, sounds like she is either lactose intolerant or colic...... i used a heating pad wrapped in a blanket for my son that helped. he used it everyday for a few hours when he got older the doctor told me to give him 1/2 ounce of beer in the morning and a 1/2 ounce in the late afternoon. It helped a great deal for his colic.