Gassy Baby - Overland Park,KS

Pulling off of the breast could be a sign of an overactive letdown. The milk comes out so forcefully that the baby can not always handle it. They pull off and arch their back as if in pain. A foremilk/hindmilk imbalance that sometimes comes with this can also cause gassy babies. Baby fills up with the more sugary watery milk and not the more filling fatty hindmilk. The more sugary milk causes the gas. As you said all babies are different and each time you breastfeed it can be different as well. I had an overactive letdown with my first but no issues the second time around. Both of these issues will resolve themselves with time. It can be frustrating for the baby and the mother in the meantime. I found the La Leche League website has some helpful suggestions if you are having issues wtih this. In terms of being agitated in sleep, I found that sleeping like a baby didn't always mean peaceful and quiet.

Good luck

I didn't like Mylicon drops but preferred Little Tummy's Gas Drops, cheaper and seemed to work better for my kiddos...I never worried about ODing and usually gave them 1/2 to full dose every time.... I'd also try the gripe water. I had success with one kid and not the other so it's a 50/50 shot for you.

If she's soley breastfed chances are the gas is coming directly from something you are eating. I'd recommend keeping a food journal (writing down every little thing you consume) and see if you can't find a pattern...it may not be one thing, it may be a combo but you won't recognize it until you see it in b/w. Good luck!

Try Gripe Water. You can find it at the drug store or at a place like Babies R Us. We've had better luck with that than the Mylicon.

Also, when she pulls off while nursing, are you sure that's because of gas? Could it be because of let-down? Maybe the milk is coming too fast?

Here's a link with some other helpful info: http://www.pollywogbaby.com/baby-gas.html

I had a gassy baby when she was that age too and it seemed to help to prop her up (like in a swing) when she was trying to nap. She actually slept in her swing for her first several months because that's the only place she was comfortable. :)

Hi J.,
My son seemed to have similar issues. I eliminated dairy from my diet while I was breastfeeding and that helped a lot. We also used Gripe water and I'd try that too.

Good luck!
R. J