It's official....I have another colicky/fussy baby!

[cchavez]

Mia' stool samples were analyzed today to be sure we aren't overlooking a medical condition that might be making her extremely fussy/colicky. Well, everything came back normal. Good news??? I don't know how I am going to handle the next few months...she is only 2 months! Diego was extremely fussy/colicky and he turned out to be a child w/ a difficult temperment and not a good napper at all. She was napping ok for me in her swing but now her napping is not so good at all......this is just too hard!!!

[Oregonmother]

So sorry Christine, I know how frustrating and difficult this can be. Big hugs for you and I hope things get better soon! My new one isn't the easiest either although she doesn't have colic and DS had true colic till he was 6 months.

[Elilly]

I had all of these issues with DS too. Even though all of his GI tests were normal, he did much better with me on a milk free diet and some prevacid for reflux. I was so desperate that I did the milk free on my own but had to beg our ped to trial prevacid for two weeks.
I feel for you!
Hugs and I hope you get some sleep!

[marit]

First DD was extremely colicky and has a very good temper now. I think it's not connected, you might end up with a calm good napper baby once the colick is gone!

Hugs and kisses to you. Colick sucks, I know!

[Rachels]

If nothing is helping, try seeing a naturopath to analyze food sensitivities. It's completely noninvasive and I can't even tell you what a difference it made for Abigail. We had exhausted all the mainstream medical options and everybody was giving us the "she'll grow out of it someday" answer. Three days after we saw the NP, she was a different child. It was worth every single penny.

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bf.jpg


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya

[nov04]

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time.

We had a miserable time from 4-12w w/ dd and gas. one of the most important things for us was massage, there are some really good books out there now.

FWIW, we've had lots of challenges since I went on mod. bedrest with her and all the way through up to and including now. But she has turned out to be an excellent sleeper and really easy going, friendly, social child so I have confidence that Mia will surprise you.

GL

[mamalou]

Hugs Christine!

I have heard of many colicky babies who turned out to be happy babies, toddlers, children, and adults :) I'm sorry it's so hard. Can you get some help... family, friends, babysitters? It sounds like a very difficult situation. I would seek out specialists if it's financially feasible.

[cchavez]

Thanks everyone for the support!

Rachel, can you tell me more about the np?

Diego actually has turned out to have Sensory Integration Dysfunction (diagnosed when he was 2) so there was probably more going on than just true colic w/ him. I am praying that Mia only has colic and will be a different baby once she outgrows it. FWIW, both my kids were extremely fussy throughout the day not just in the evening....even though it did get worse at that time.

My mom is coming up in a week and will be here for 5 days...that will help out. But right now it is so hard b/c my DH has to work alot (although he tries to help me as much as he can) and Diego is not an easy toddler...he's a difficult toddler w/ sensory issues.

[Rachels]

Christine, I got the NP name from my local health food store; I had never been to one before. He did muscle testing for food sensitivities. It sounds like hocus pocus, but it's pretty amazing. A muscle will weaken in the presence of an allergen. We just made a list of all the stuff she responded to, I cut it out of my diet, and within days she had gone from waking every 20 minutes to sleeping a five hour stretch. It was so impressive that our ped started referring people there. We had done the WHOLE GI route-- tests, meds, everything-- and nothing had really helped. It was so worth it to try something off the beaten medical path.

The other thing going on for Abby was silent reflux. She never spit up and gained fine for a long while, so it took for-freaking-ever to diagnose. Everybody spent a lot of time shrugging their shoulders at me, but I knew she was hurting. The NP stuff helped with that, too, because reflux is aggravated by food sensitivities. We also did ultimately get her on Nexium, which worked for her.

I'm inclined to think that colic is probably food allergy or reflux in disguise much of the time.

-Rachel
Mama to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

and Ethan James
10/19/05
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bf.jpg


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya

[Melanie]

Good news, but I'm also sorry. You must be tired.

Dd was having lots of late night discomfort and we took her for NAET treatments. World of difference. She's still got a temperament unique and all her own, LOL, but she's not screaming in pain anymore. It made it so much easier to figure out what was bothering her, and if I'd have just gone through the usual dietary eliminations for a nursing mom, I don't think I would have ever figured out what was bothering her.

[cchavez]

I did notice some improvement when I eliminated dairy while nursing..... she did have less gas but she didn't get fussy until 3 weeks of age.....She is now almost 10 weeks. We have switched formulas a few times....from Enfamil Lipil to Enfamil Gentlease to Similace Lactoce Free. Should we switch to soy or hypoallergenic? Or do we wait to see if it resolves itself b/w 3-4 months? Should I beg for some prevacid? Also, what is NAET? Is that the same as a neuropathology? Thanks!

[mommyoftwo]

I would skip soy formula as many babies do not tolerate it well. I would strongly urge you to consider try alimentum or neutramigen for 2-3 weeks. It was like night and day with my daughter but it took a good 3-4 weeks to see the full effects. It is extremely expensive but so very worth it. We had a similar situation with dd#1 and I had already eliminated all dairy and soy and anything else that could possibly be bothering her and she literally slept only 4 or 5 hours in 24. Finally, at seven weeks the lactation consultant suggested elemental formula because there didn't seem to be anything left to try. FWIW, we didn't start having major problems until dd was a couple weeks old at least. It may not be the answer for you, but I think it's definitely worth trying. PM if you have any questions as your story sounds so similar to ours and we did a lot of research about this.

[Tondi G]

just another thought... if you want to wait on the Nutramigen how about trying Good Start??? I know some people have had a lot of luck with it!

Wanted to send some HUGS out to you! I know all too well what having a colicky baby is like..... Mason was AWFUL!!!! He eventually outgrew it and is a fabulous little man now! He was always grumpy in the car and wanted to be held and entertained till he could entertain himself!!!! I remember being in my peds office and them saying.... oh the chance of having 2 colicky babies in a row is slim..... I didn't believe that one but thank god that Aidan turned out to be a much more easy going baby/child!

One question..... is she sleeping on her back or her tummy??? I found that tummy sleeping made a HUGE difference for us!!!! I know it's scary and most peds will not tell you to do it but I know TONS of parents who swore they never would and then ended up doing it out of desperation and it helped!!!!

If you wanna chat/vent you can always email me!!!! Good Luck and HUGS! It's tough.... but you'll make it.... and we're here for you! Take it day by day... and keep in mind if it's colic then she should be nearing the point where it starts to get better!!!!! You've already made it 10 weeks!

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/8/01 and Aidan 5/4/05

[Elilly]

Another recommendation for alimentum or nutramigen (sorry, I didn't realize you were FF now, I haven't been here that much recently). Also, I totally agree with Rachel about silent reflux being a potential issue and being related to food sensitivities. It can take up to 8 weeks to eliminate the milk protein from her system once you stop the regular formula but we saw a HUGE improvement in Graham with 1 week of me being on a milk free diet. Hugs.

[iznav]

Out of my three kids, no. 1 and no. 3 were colicky/fussy. No. 1 I had no clue what to do and she cried until the wee hours of the night, and cried a lot during the day. She was never really a good sleeper - and still gets up at night. She was a pretty easy toddler otherwise though.

Got lucky with no. 2 and she was a bit fussy in the beginning, but was an awesome napper and nighttime sleeper and continues to be. Although she is definitely in the terrible twos - so many tantrums, screaming, etc. So unlike no. 1.

No. 3, now 5 months, was way fussy, but I think I knew more now. I swaddled in the Miracle Blanket until he was just over 4 months, I bounced him on the exercise ball (that worked to calm all three) and wore him in a fleece pouch to get him to stop crying and go to sleep. That was our nightly routine. He only took naps while I was wearing him.

Just over four months I was able to let him cry a bit and he has learned how to fall asleep on his own finally. He sleeps in his crib (still upright in bouncy seat though) and will take an occasional nap in the swing too. His ped. did think it wouldn't hurt to try Zantac and he has been on that for months.

Hope some of this is helpful. I have a lot more to say - but would end up with a book LOL!

Those first few months are NOT easy.

[iznav]

Sorry, double post.