Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Dang it!

The boy is suffering from gassey tummy again. Grrrr, I hate seeing him struggle to poop and its making him not want to sleep (okay so partly mom, party gas). During the day I put him on his tummy for supervised sleeping. I visit him every 5 minutes to make sure he's okay - thank heavens for a pack n play that way during the day he's not more than a foot from me.

Hopefully tonight he will sleep his normal 1030 pm to 2 am, but it will be interesting because he will be on his back. He's not old enough to do tummy sleeping where I can't look at him every 5 minutues.

Any suggestions besides the gas drops? He's getting 90% mommy milk, with 1 bottle or 2 a day of formula while my production starts to catch up to his eating habits.

I just feel so bad watching him make those faces while trying to poop. The gas is normal, even the stinky stuff. But the painful faces, arching his back and now the sleeping best on his tummy has me a bit flustered. I want him to be a happy baby not a cranky I hate to poop cuz it hurts me baby.

6 comments:

Linda said...

My son had those issues too...the "struggling to poop" really isn't. Unless he's truly constipated, and you'll KNOW that, believe me...we had to "help" my daughter poop from time to time by pushing her knees hard against her tummy while she was pushing...it was NOT pretty.

Have you tried making changes in your diet? A lot of times, what you're eating is the direct problem. For me and my son, EVERYTHING I ate caused him distress. He spent many nights sleeping fetal-style on me because that was the only thing that gave him relief (thus the tummy sleeping that WORKED - even if they tell you NOT to do it!). Help him when he's having awake time by pulling his knees up to his tummy in a pedaling motion (he'll like the action, too) and it will help move the gas. Rub his back in a counter-clockwise motion, and his tummy as well to help things soothe and calm. Try using Gripe Water, which is a natural remedy and helps a lot. Don't know where you can find it, but that's what it's called.

I hope this helps!

Candace April said...

My baby had similar issues. The doctors assured me it will pass (pun intended) and, although it seemed like it would never end at the time...it did.

Babies are just getting used to having to actually work at something--life was so easy in the womb--so every little pang feels huge to them.

Honestly, I would worry less about the gas and the pooping and just concentrate on making him feel comfortable and loved in general (which I know you are)--and he'll get used to his bowels eventually.

I know you are exhausted...but I think that if you tummy sleep during naps, you are going to make it that much harder to get him to back sleep at night.

I really recommend:

1. Wearing him in a sling most of the day.
2. Swaddling in the Miracle Blanket During Naps an bedtime
3. Including Baby Massage in your routine.
4. Making sure you put him down to nap at the first sign of sleepiness (at no more than two hours of wakefulness).
5. White noise at night to help him back sleep

If you haven't already, try the following books:

1. Weissbluth's Healthy Sleep, Happy Child for good info about children's sleep needs from a medical perspective.

2. No Cry Sleep Solution for tips on getting baby to sleep and extending sleep.

3. Happiest Baby on the Block for tips on dealing with "colic"

Household6 said...

I really recommend:

1. Wearing him in a sling most of the day.
2. Swaddling in the Miracle Blanket During Naps an bedtime
3. Including Baby Massage in your routine.
4. Making sure you put him down to nap at the first sign of sleepiness (at no more than two hours of wakefulness).
5. White noise at night to help him back sleep

If you haven't already, try the following books:

1. Weissbluth's Healthy Sleep, Happy Child for good info about children's sleep needs from a medical perspective.

2. No Cry Sleep Solution for tips on getting baby to sleep and extending sleep.

3. Happiest Baby on the Block for tips on dealing with "colic"


I haven't tried number 1 yet.

He hates to be swaddled. He kicks the blankets off in a second flat.

I do some massage after changing him to gentley wiggle his legs to help pass gas.

We put him to be after signs of sleepiness & use a cribside music thingie for sleeping too.

As for the books I do have one of them already the healthy sleep, happy baby. I just started reading it a day or so ago (haven't gotten that far).

I am trying to avoid tummy sleeping today if I can help it.

Thanks ML

Anonymous said...

That is the worst, I think b/c you dont know how (or frankly) can't help... We did use the mylicon drops but I really had to watch what I was eating. I think I mentioned about the time I had some wine.. Well I also wasnt thinking the time i ate wings.. I was craving them & honestly they werent that spicy, but did not agree w/my girl's belly...

The other thing I have heard (This didnt happen to me) was if you drink too much dairy?

Maybe make a food diary and you can pinpoint what might be bothering his belly (assuming its something he's getting from bmilk)

I hope he feels better soon...

Keri

Candace April said...

Definitely try baby wearing.

I thought she hated to be swaddled then read that most parents think that but really it is just a matter of getting it tight enough. If a young baby can kick off the blankets, that means the swaddle isn't tight enough. Really, try the miracle blanket...please. They resell for close to retail on eBay so you won't lose much money if it doesn't work. I'd send you ours but it is in storage.

Also...make sure the naps come every two hours or less at this stage. I was so surprised at how much this helps.

And as far as white noise--is it music or white noise? Music can sometimes increase the stimulation for some babies...white noise can make a huge difference. At that age, mine liked the vacuum. Now she likes ocean sounds.

That being said, again...YMMV. Part of my kiddo's problem was the reflux...part of it was just being sensitive to her new world. You're doing a great job and as long as you've ruled out medical issues, it WILL pass. I thought she had a real big poop problem and really it just went away. I cried, "Why does it hurt her to poop???" They told me this was perfectly normal and it would get better. Poops like a pro, now...I promise.

Candace April said...

Another thing--with the happiest baby on the block, they recommend swaddling, sucking, swinging, shushing, and something else, I can't remember...but they also pointed out that some babies need ALL at once. There were days during the height of the colic when my girl would only relax swaddled, sucking on something, swinging in my arms, with white noise on.

Also, I just wanted to add...I know that it is hard to hear it is normal when it seems so unfair and wrong and painful. I remember with mine, not being able to let her cry at all because of her heart condition, it was extremely frustrating.

But you know what? Even with the heart condition, the reflux, and the colickiness, we survived. And she is happy and heart healthy now.

Just keep remembering you are doing a great job and trust yourself and it will work out.