Help! I need some advice on helping my babies avoid these horrible episodes, which usually happen at night, but sometimes during the day as well. One twin has more problems than the other, but both get them (luckily not at the same time). Most of the time, both boys pass gas quite normally (i.e., without the screaming part).
Here's what happens: one minute they will be perfectly happy, then the next minute they scream furiously (obviously in agony) for 5 minutes to as long as 45 minutes, and then eventually they LOUDLY pass gas, and then they're magically all better. During a fit, they're more comfortable being vertical and simply can't stand being horizontal. From what I gather, this is not "normal" at all.
What I've tried: Both babies get Mylicon after every feeding (breastmilk). I also avoid all of the typical gassy foods (cruciferous veggies, garlic, onions, peppers, etc). The pedi told us to try 1 oz prune juice plus 1 oz water, which they get every day. It seems to help a little but not prevent the problem. We've gone as high as 2 oz per day but they just get loose and still have the screaming farts.
I'd love any suggestions about what might be causing this, or other things to try.
I used to put a drop or two of Mylicon on a pacifier for my daughter. Fabulous stuff, you can buy it at any grocery store or pharmacy. She grew out of her gassy stage at about 6 months. Or pediatrician told us it had nothing to do with my breast milk and everything to do with the development of her digestion system. Here's the link to their site. http://www.mylicon.com/
Good luck!
I had trouble with my 2nd child who had terrible colic; a friend of mine suggested it was corn/ specifically corn syrup. So in my distress I removed Corn and corn syrup out of my diet. Within 3 days there was a noticable difference, we had returned to a quiet household. Corn syrum is funny, I had to buy only certain types of bread, ice cream crackers etc.. some had CS some did not. so I became very brand loyal. Until we were able to determine the CS problem, DH and I were adept at holding her on our hip at a specific 45 degree angle. That helped her alot.
My daughter had terrible colic for the first few months, and I was able to decrease it by about 75% by completely cutting out dairy products (I was also breastfeeding). The screaming, the gas- it all got MUCH better as long as I didn't give in to having something with milk or cream in it. I slowly added it back in at 6 months, and no more problems after that.
You could also try Gripe Water. Herbs like chamomile and ginger may also be helpful.
I have no advice for what could be causing the gas...and I'll keep my personal opinions about doctors and their prescriptions/diagnosis for babies out of it...
A nurse showed me some moves on how to help baby pass some gas...
One, sounds especially useful to you if they like to be up vertically... Try craddlying them, sorta folded against your chest. Legs on you, body in your arms.
The thing I used bed was what I liked to call the Gassy Dance...I'd lay my son on his back, ignore his screaming, and work both of his legs in circles, bending, and straightening (imagine it like "wax on, wax off" where one hand works clockwise, the other counter-clockwise)...and then, press both his knees to his chest (with pressure!). I'd repeat that a couple times to make sure all the gas was out...and we'd be fine.
First off...CONGRATS on nursing twins! A lot of women won't nurse one, let alone TWO! Breastmilk is best for those little boys!
Are you nursing full time, or do they get formula through the day too? If this is the case, it is probably a reaction to the formula, as it is really hard for babies to digest. You could either switch brands, or even better, get a hypoallergenic one.
It could also be a reaction to your diet. If a baby has issues with moms diet, it generally isn't cruciferous veggies that cause the gas, as it does us. The reason being is we get gas from the fiber of the actual whole food, not from the proteins that it contains. The culprits are likely dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, nuts, corn or fish. Dairy is generally the most difficult, and many women find if they cut out the dairy, the issues with gas and such improve. What do their stools look like, especially the one that seems to have the most trouble. Do they both have similar looking stools, or is the gassier baby have any stools that are green or mucousy?
I hope you find resolution to your problem soon! Not just for your boys, but for you also! My second son was extremely colicky, and it turned out he had a bunch of food sensitivities, but it was more than just gas for him. My daughter is having issues now too (she is 3 months) but because of my experience with my son, I have eliminated all of the allergens listed above, and have experienced bliss ever since! It isn't always easy, but it does force you to eat healthier, and has taught me a lot about what I put in my mouth!
Hi - my guy also had painful gas and at 3 will still have about every now and then - the nurses in the NICU would put a heating pad on his tummy - really helped. We had a flax seed pad in microwave for two minutes - you can put dry rice in an old sock and put in microwave to heat (time may vary depending on size). His digestive system was underdeveloped.
If it is food related - then I'd suggest keeping a food diary of everything you eat and when they have gas. See if there is any pattern over time. I stopped eating fresh spinach and that helped. Eventually I had to stop dairy and soy too. He is dairy/soy intolerant still.
We pumped his legs too - but we did it like he was riding a bicycle on his back.
Massage helped - rub tummy in a clockwise motion. That is the direction of intestines. Helps with constipation too. When really blocked, rub downward on right side level in bellybutton down to groin area. Then across belly, left to right, at bellybutton level, taking a right angle and going straight down. Then rubbing in clockwise motion.
Hi Romana, My chiropracter, Dr. Ellen Blomerth, claims that this condition is not that uncommon; however, pediatricians generally don't know how to deal with it. Dr. Ellen can end the problem with a gentle touch (usually with the Mom holding the baby in her arms). Dr. Ellen has treated many babies as she specializes in a "gentle-touch" method that she learned during her schooling and has been the only doctor on the north-east coast using this method. I strongly recommend that you call her at 978-535-6155. She is located at the junction of Lowell Street and Route 1 in Peabody and is on the lower level of the Hallmark Building. I am totally sure that Dr. Ellen will be able to end this gas issue for your baby, and you will both get more sleep. Please call her and tell her I sent you. Best Wishes Emily Taft 978-352-8722 [email protected]
I've heard really good things about a product called Colic Calm Gripe Water. It's available in some health food stores or at pediatritians offices. It works for both colic and/or bad gas in infants. Ask your pediatritian about it.
Have you starting feeding them any solids? Sometimes even the cereals can cause the gas problem if the babies are just not ready. I know that my daughter couldn't tollerate the rice cereal at all until she was 10 mos. old. I know it's strange but she could eat anything else (any of the other cereals too).
Sometimes they just have to outgrow it, although I know how hard it can be, especially when you know they're in pain. Good luck.
I would cut out dairy from your diet. YOu might try cutting out wheat or soy too, but dairy is the most likely culprit. It always caused by little guy pain.
It takes a few days for the dairy to be out of your milk so you might not notice a difference right away.
GOod luck!
Hi Romana-
When I was breastfeeding my triplets when they were very little, I had to go on a dairy free diet because one of my girls had horrible gas pain and even a little intestinal bleeding due to being lactose intolerant at the time. Once I went dairy free (which was a pain, by the way) she cleared right up. Maybe try cutting milk, cheese and icecream out of your diet for a few days and see if it helps.
My triplets are now 3, and Kylie went to whole milk at 1 without any problems so it was just an infancy reaction....
I hope this might help you!
-Deb
Leominster MOM's Club
Hi Romana, my son had terrrible gas like that too and what I usto do was lay them down and take their ankles and bring their legs up do it a few times, (kinda like the doctors do during an exam when they check their hips). I found that it kinda opens things up and then they let out a huge one. Not to sound gross but it really works. I also agree what everybody else is saying as well it could be your diet ie. milk and dairy products, I found out my son had food allergies as well so... just a thought. Good luck
Somethings that help babies pass gas. 1. Massage the stomach with some warm oil in clockwise circles with gentle but firm movements. 2. Exercise the legs - hold both legs at the knees and then flex one at a time, bending at the knee and pushing gently towards the chest (does not have to go all the way). Do about ten reps each side. At the end press both the knees to stomach and gently pulse. And there is of course gripe water. All these worked well for my daughter.
Foot reflexology - I know it sounds crazy, but hold him in your lap facing you, and press hard with your thumbs in a circular motion on the arch of the baby's foot. within minutes they pass gass, usually have a BM as well. I learned that one from a mother's group when my son was constipated and gassy ... good luck - karen
Has anyone mentioned getting a second opinion as to why this is happening? If you are unhappy with your ped's opinion, or your gut tells you something isn't right- get a second opinion!