Breastfeeding and Fussiness Concerns

this too shall pass.

some babies are fussier and gassier.

the baby will grow out of it. I tried eliminating foods from my diet but nothing seemed to matter. My daughter was fussy and continued to be fussy for about 3 months.

My sone was a good eater and good sleeper and didnt fuss.

I also tried mylicon drops and they didnt help.

Just wait it out.

I tried everything with my first child (bottle only) and she had colic, gas, cranky, just horrible for the first 6 months. My second two children were breast feed and when I started using bottles, I had heard that Carnation Good Start was the best, so I tried it, and it really was the best. I wouldn't recommend anything else. Carnation Good Start really does seem to be the closest to breast milk. Wish I would have used it with my first child.

My son had the same problem, a friend told me to change my diet to plain chicken and all mild spices in everything else I ate and not to eat veggies that make gas. It did help.

Don't give up on breastfeeding and please don't use the formula- as it will interfere with your supply.

A few things are going on here-

A) It takes up to 6 weeks for dairy protein to stop showing up in your milk- so unless you quit dairy when she was born, you have awhile to go.

B) the 6 week growth spurt- this makes everything harder. Once she's done with this, it will be more manageable.

Remember- even the best formula cannot compaire to your milk, even if you have the dairy proteins in it.

I had to give up dairy, eggs, chocolate, caffeine, wheat and gassy veg's for awhile. It is not fun, but is do-able. My baby is now 3 months and I can eat anything now (but always in moderation).

Other things to learn are soothing techniques. Dr. Sears' books have lots of great tips. I also found gripe water helpful, used a warm "rice bag" on his tummy in evening, etc. Look up colic- most of the tips should help a gassy baby too.

Good luck and hang in there- it gets better!

M.,

My second son was very colicky, and I also eliminated milk from my diet, I also eliminated citrus, onions, garlic, broccoli (everything from the cabbage family including cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts), peppers, or anything carbonated.

It did seem to help some, don't give up breastfeeding though, some babies are fussy and colicky even if they are bottle fed. Good luck to you and God Bless.

It could be that she just has a sensitive stomach and is reacting to something else that you are eating.

Has your daughter been gaining weight while you've been breastfeeding her? She might be fussy because she's not getting enough to eat.

All babes are different, so it's hard to say. It wasn't until my son was a few months old and we found the right formula for him. He had gas issues because the formula the doctor gave us just didn't sit right in his stomach.

Just a couple of ideas.

Hi Mom, Some babies area gassier than others. I breastfed all 3 of my children and one of the 3 had a hard time with gas until about 6-7 months. Try giving her more tummy time, even fix a little hot water bottle made from a ziploc bag add a couple inches of water. Take all the air out and seal shut. Heat in microwave until fairly warm. Put a washcloth over bag and lay baby on her tummy. the warmth from bag may help her pass gas. Another thing that may help is to exercise her legs fregently, like a bike. Giving up milk products was a wise thing to do, she may be sensitive to the lactose. God luck. Don't give up on your breastfeeding, best thing for her. M.

My doctor suggested feeding for 3 mins, then burp, 3 mins then burp, 3 mins, then burp then switch sides. Repeat this same process. My daughter was latching on correctly, but we weren't getting the burps out of her. This seemed to help us out.

The other thing is, she is only 6 weeks old. Sometimes, that is just the root of the problem. Don't give up on the breastfeeding! Hang in their for a few more weeks and you'll see that it's going to get better.

garlic and onions was it for my lilttle one she cryed evertime i and them it my food make a list of what you eat for a week some baby are just coclic for a few month hate to tell you that it will pass but no more bottle your milk is best

Years ago my mother breast fed my brother and he had colic. My grandmother gave him relief by buying the big pink wintergreen candies, dissolving one in a couple ounces of warm water, and letting him drink that. He seemed to like the taste and could comfortably fall asleep within a short time.

Have you tried gripe water? It's similar to Mylicon only all natural, it also treats the entire digestive system for gas bubbles while Mylicon only treats the stomach for gas. I used it with my 1st daughter and it worked amazing. We did it at her night feedings when she was fussiest. I'm not sure where to buy it in MI...I found it at a baby boutique type store where I lived before, but I also know there's a lot of info about it on the internet. I think I paid about $12 a bottle, but it was the best money I ever spent as a new mom!

For my guy it was tomatoes that were a killer in the gas department. Thought I would throw that out there =)

I would hold my son "like a football," tummy on my arm, head in hand, but up near my elbow and gently swing him when he would get fussy with gas. Was the only thing that worked - seemed to be the extra pressure on his tummy helped somehow and he was able to get it out a bit and the swinging calmed him.

Good luck!

My second son (10mos now) had a lot of gas too. He was very fussy!! It's so hard because you just want to help them feel better! He was consolable, but barely. I had to walk briskly while holding him just so, pat his bottom and sing to him (with a voice only a baby could appreciate-lol) We did this for 2-5 hours a day, mostly in the evening.

I took him to the pediatrician a couple times to make sure it wasn't something serious. I wanted to do what I could to help but I didn't want to keep trying one thing after another & treat him like a guinea pig either. They told us a few things to try (like switching to formula which I'm not convinced was great advice) and if they didn't work, then it was colic. We didn't think it was "just colic." It "had to be something else." Eventually we determined through reading a couple articles on WebMD and another website I forget about colic, that he had a classic case of colic. The best thing for him anyway, was just time and patience (lots of patience and maybe a few tears) At 12 weeks he was just suddenly OK. He has been an absolute dream-baby ever since.

Until we came to that point though, we tried mylicon, even tried baby-Zantac for reflux (worked for 2 days then back to the same), I tried a couple of juices (apple & prune) to make sure he was going enough. But, we had the best results (besides time) with the Little Tummies Gripe Water. I was pumping so I just mixed it in with the bottle of milk. He really liked walking with me in a baby carrier.

don't do formula. Try eating differently yourself because she is getting what you are eatting. also if you do the bicycle with her feet, baby massage helps you do counterclock wise with your fingers on there stomache. there are all natural remedies to that you could do. I hope one or all of these help. Keep up the breast feeding it will do her so good in the future and now.

Milk might not be the culprit. Veggies, cheese, eggs,salad, pop...anything that might give you a little gas, could be giving her gas. Contact a Le Leche League group leader or lactation consultant. It won't last forever. Keep up the good work...Breast is Best! Also, some babies take in alot of air while nursing. Try burping her more frequently.

My son is now 12 weeks, and was very fussy and labeled colicy by the doctor. We tried everything he suggested and other things I had read on the internet. We finally decided after many suggestions to take him to a chriopracter. Our pediatrician didnt think this would help, but we went anyways. My son was 8 weeks at the time, and it helped alot. The first week we went 2 times and after the second time he was much more content and if he had gas, he just passed it without any fuss. Im not sure exactly how he helped just that it did, he was like a different baby after that...so much more fun for all of us.

Keep breastfeeding but try this. Make sure it is someone who has worked on infants. I was scared to take him at first, but they were really gentle with him.

I sure wouldn't add formula at this point. You can continue to try tweaking your diet if you can figure out anything specific that seems to do it. My first was very gassy and one of hers was too. We "bicycled" his legs and gently pushed them up toward his head with him lying on his back. Sometimes that would release some gas. Holding her face down on your arm with you hand under her chest and chin might help. Her dad might find it easier if he's stronger. They seem to like the pressure on their belly and the motion. I think this will pass - pardon the pun! Your breastfeeding pattern sounds very normal & certainly is the best thing for her all the way around. Hang in there.

You have a ton of good information here, but I thought I would throw in my 2 cents as well.

When my daughter was very young I had to give up eating just about everything except meat and potatoes. Tomatoes, garlic, beans, many veggies... it all gave my daughter gas. Oiy. I did find however, a product that worked SUPER well and is ALL NATURAL. It's called 'colic calm'. www.coliccalm.com Seriously, this stuff worked WONDERS.

It absorbs the gas in their system. I will warn you ... it is DARK purple in color and will stain their clothes. I purchased the paci medicine dispenser which was great. Also, it turns their poop DARK purple. So, don't freak out about that.

Mylicon never worked for my daughter and actually my pediatrician told me it has a lot of sugar in it. Gripe water worked 'ok' ... but when she was really gassy... only the colic calm worked well. I wish I would have found it sooner. My daughter was about 9 weeks old when I found it and grew out of the issue about a month later.

Hi M., have you tried cutting out greens? My son had very bad gas during my early days of breastfeeding and my issue wasn't dairy -- it was green vegetables. I cut out EVERYTHING green: lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers, asparagus, green beans, peppers, scallions, etc. while I was nursing. If it was green and in the vegetable family, I cut it out entirely. Broccoli seemed to be the WORST! After I cut out the greens, the gas problem was literally solved in a matter of a few days.

My son born last Halloween was the same way, it was a time issue, Luke stopped the spitting up,fussiness and gassiness in March at approx 5 months old.
Does she sleep okay? Luke did not. Some people suggested it was colic, but like your little one, he was consolable.

OK, I know people are gonna have something to say about this one, but, there is an old remedy for gas with babies. I used it with mine and and have used it with my grandkids and it works! All 4 of my sisters have used it also and we have 22 kids between the 5 of us..lol...Try giving a little bit of sugar water. Not alot of sugar and baby doesnt have to drink a bottle full. It really does help with the gas! Less than an ounce will help.

my first daughter was very gassy as well. what help with her is putting her on her tummy with a warm water bag(i am not sure of the real name)and just rubbing her back, also pumping her legs back and forth helped too. good luck, if you really want to be commited to breastfeeding i would stop with the formula, because it could also be the bottles you are feeding her from.

Eliminating dairy is a great place to start, but it'll take a while for the dairy proteins to leave your system. Hang in there!

Congrats on your little girl. I was in an OB's office on MOnday and there was a sign that said the average 6-week old cries for 3 hours a day. It is a fussy age. I remember going through that with my son, and he eventually outgrew it. I think their digestive systems are developing.

If you think something in your diet is bothering her, you could try an elimination diet.

Have you been to a La Leche League meeting or talked to a LLL leader? http://www.llli.org/Web/Michigan.html

I don't think the formula is going to help at all.

I'd consider what you are eating. My kids didn't do well after I ate broccoli or anything spicy. Keep your diet really bland and stay away from fresh uncooked veggies. Broccoli was bad for my kids cooked or uncooked.

Also, you said she falls asleep after 20 minutes, are you waking her to burp her? If not you should at that age they can't really burp on their own so the gas may be just a burp that didn't come up so has to go down.
good luck!

Oops, forgot one more suggestion. Make sure you are drinking LOTS of water at least 10 8oz glasses

Good Job BF your daughter!!
If it is dairy you need to cut all dairy out of your diet not just milk. It can take about two weeks for dairy to leave both your and her body.
Have you tried lifting her legs or walking your fingers across her belly?
I don't know how knowledgeable or supportive your ped is in regards to bf but don't let her convince you that you need to stop. My girls dr has about zero knowledge.
If you need more support call a lelache league leader. If you need help finding one in your area let me know.
Blessings, K.

Great for you for breastfeeding! Yeah..
I'd also 2nd cutting out dairy and gas causing food. It can take some time to get the dairy out of your system.. if it doesn't get better after dairy is eliminated you might want to consider cutting out wheat or soy as well they are also major allergens.

It can be a pain to eliminate dairy and other foods from your diet, but I have to say when I eliminated dairy I lost the baby weight much faster and felt great!

I definetely 2nd CONTINUING to breastfeed and not give bottles.. breastmilk will help console much better. If you have more questions.. check out a LLL meeting or call someone.

Definetely 2nd a chiropractor.. but ONLY one that has some specialty in children..\

Young babies are often just gassy and uncomfortable for no reason. It's unlikely that it actually has anything to do with your milk of what you are eating. This is probably something she will just have to outgrow. Babies tend to grow out of it around 3 months old.