Breastfeeding & colic.....HELP!!!

lilmantle3 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 09:44 AM

HI
I am new to this post & I need some advice.
My son is almost 7 weeks and we are having a horrible time w/ colic. I took him to the Dr and he suggested that maybe I need to put Aayden on formula. That is really the last thing that I want to do. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to help the little guy out. I really can't imagine not neing able to BF him anymore!
We have tried gripe water and it works a little bit, he is on zantac for reflux, I can't really tell that it is doing anything, he still spits up all the time. I have cut out everything, food wise. I'm pretty much just eating bland foods and drinking water.
I BF my other 2 kids until they were over a year and never had any problems.
Thanks for listening!! Erin

Jescafa · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 11:59 AM

Please don't listen to that terrible advice.

No one knows what causes colic. It might have absolutely nothing to do with his stomach at all. My daughter had horrible colic from about her fifth day of life until 2-3 months old. I'm convinced it was about being overstimulated and not being able to sleep, rather than anything gastrointestinal (though she spat up and had gas too; we used lots of Mylicon).

True colic is just a mystery, and you just need to wait it out. Can't hurt to do the elimination diet--I did it too--also just burp him a lot and make sure he's getting enough sleep and he's not awake for long stretches. Also consider if your letdown is too strong--he could be spitting up just b/c he's getting so much. You could experiment with pumping a bit before each feeding.

Formula is great for people who, for whatever reason, can't breastfeed. It's not a treatment for colic. Even if it is caused by gastrointestinal distress--formula is harder to digest than breastmilk and it contains allergens; why would that be better for a baby's tummy, KWIM? And once you make the switch, you might not be able to go back.

OT from breastfeeding, our strategies for colic were numerous, because the same thing rarely worked twice. Ultimately, I think, paying attention to her asleep and awake periods was the solution, but those patterns don't emerge until baby is somewhat older. Here's what worked periodically:

Walking her around in the Snugli
Bouncy seat, motor on, also being actively "bounced"
Swing
Ride in the car
Physically swinging her in her carseat
Taking her outside
Putting the baseball game on the radio

I think if this next one has colic, I will maybe try "wearing" her/him more...just accept that the whole second half of the day she/he is in the Snugli or sling, instead of fighting it.

I really hope that you figure it out, and that you keep breastfeeding, and that the colic goes away soon. I feel for you...colic is so hard.

thepeach80 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 06:08 PM

I find the term colic is overused and just means the DR doesn't want to find out what's wrong in most cases. The 2 main causes are milk and/or soy issues (food intolerances) and/or reflux. My boys both have food issues and Evan still is on reflux meds at 20 mos. I would start by taking dairy and soy out of your diet. Click on the last link in my sig to get to the food allergy board and look at the milk/soy sticky to get ALL the hidden names for milk and soy, there's a lot and you're probably missing some in your current diet.

Jescafa · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2006, 08:03 AM

FTR, by definition, no one knows what causes colic. It's described as "unexplained" crying for long stretches (I think they say 3 hours or more; we were more like 6-8). If it's caused by food intolerances or reflux, then it's food intolerances or reflux, not colic.

From emedicinehealth (emphasis mine):

Doctors have yet to discover the causes of infant colic, described as excessive crying in an otherwise healthy baby. A fussy, crying, colicky baby is inconsolable, and the crying is not due to hunger or pain.

Medical experts define colic as crying lasting more than 3 hours a day, 3 times a week. A baby may establish a daily pattern of crying, such as early morning or evening. For new parents, this situation can be extremely frustrating. The condition affects up to 20% of newborns.

thepeach80 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2006, 09:09 AM

My point was DRs are VERY fast to say 'your baby has colic' w/out trying to rule out things like reflux or food intolerances. I know many moms who look back now and now that they better think their children had problems w/ those things when all the DR would say is it's colic. I don't think you can call it colic till you rule out the other things that you can help.

Jescafa · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2006, 12:48 PM

Well, I think we're pretty much both saying the same thing, then. That food intolerances/colic are NOT the same thing. Therefore, formula is NOT a treatment for colic.

Mhome · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2006, 09:46 AM

My son had colic as well starting at about 3wks-8wks. I know it's very hard right now but formula isn't going to solve the problem. When you're at your wits end you'll try anything but supplementing only causes problems, it doesn't help them.

Rest assured this will pass with time

. Even the spitting up will get better as their digestive system matures. I'm not one that is so quick to place them on medication. It seems to me alot of babies have reflux. I really think time is the best healer. It will get better! Trust me I've been in your shoes. Just try to get some relief when you can

.

lilmantle3 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 10:15 AM

Thank You for the advice. I did not take the Drs advice. We are still BF 100% and everyday seems to be getting better. He is still spitting up alot, but we will see what happens with time. Thank you all again!!