Not sure if it's colic

[tschenk]

Hi! I'm a first time dad, and my daughter, born on Oct 3 2001, is on Similac w/ Iron. Most of her feedings go off without any fussing, but she has at least one feeding per day when she screams after about half of the bottle. She pushes it away, stretches out her body very stiff and screams VERY loud and usually will not take the rest of the bottle. (Sometimes she might take the rest, but only after about a half hour when she is calm again.) It usually happens during her early evening feeding, but lately it's been happening during her mid-morning feeding. She doesn't scream more than 10 or 15 minutes, and she does sleep pretty well at night (usually from 10:30 pm thru 4:30 am) without any fussing at all. Does anyone think this is colic? Her screaming fits only happen *during* the feeding, not really after. Any advice anyone? Thanks!

[Krista]

To me, it sounds more like gas than colic. Most babies with colic will scream or fuss for hours during the evening and night. Have you tried giving her gas drops. My son had gas along with colic and we gave them to him at every feeding. They really helped the gas he was having. They recommend that you give them to the baby about 15 minutes prior to feeding that way it has time to coat their tummy. Although with a newborn, feedings aren't always predictable, so you can give to them right before feeding or right after. You can give them up to 12 times per day. Check with your doctor for the dosage, but my son took .3 as the dose at that age. Mylicon is the name brand, but KMART and Krogers also make a generic which is the exact same thing, only much cheaper. Hope this helps. Let us know if it works.

Krista
DS Andrew 7/18/00

[tschenk]

Thanks for the advice Krista. I've tried the gas drops, but I think I haven't been giving them to her early enough (before feeding). I'll try giving them to her 15 min before feeding like you suggested. Thanks alot! I'll let you know how she does!

[Bodsx4]

My 4 week old son sounds like your child. The majority of the day he is fine. He has his moments after 6pm, but I think that is the normal crying. Most of the time he takes his bottles w/o a problem, but every now and than, I just cant figure out what he wants. I think he maybe hungry? I offer him a bottle and he takes a few sucks and than starts to cry. Than for about the next 45minutes to 1hr, it's like he doesnt know what he wants. He is currently on Isomil and doing ok. He also sleeps the majority of the night. I dont believe it is colic, I believe it is gas. But it too is very frustrating. Have you found anything else to help? This is my second son and I feel like a first time mom sometimes.

[CHalcomb]

I'm not sure if my son has colic, either. We have gone to the dr. and was diagnosed gastroesaphageal reflux........his formula was switched to Enfamil AR and was on Zantac for a week, but still has the late night crying spells......usually starting anywhere from 6-8pm and lasting up to 3-5am. The actual crying (screaming) spells only last 15-20 minutes at a time, with about 5 minute breaks, but goes on for over 3 hours most every night. I thought if it was the reflux, then shouldn't all that have stopped by now? Do you think I should go ahead and try one of the other formulas without consulting the pediatrician? I'm pretty much at my wits end and don't know what else to do. I feel so sorry for him, though......he seems to be in constant pain during these episodes.

[Bodsx4]

After reading what your going through, I'm feeling lucky. I do have a friend who went through exactly what you are going through. Her son was also diagnosed w/the reflux, only after several attempts at the ped's office. They didnt think anything was wrong, saying it was just colic, but it's not. It is constant sceaming and crying, but it is so much more than colic. She also had to switch him to a special formula that she had to specially mix and was also on medication. They would basically get about 1-2 hrs of sleep a nite. After laying him down he would scream terribily because of the acid coming back up. I am actually going to see her today, I will see if I can get any further/detailed information. One good thing, is, he did grow out of it. He is now 15months old and sleeps from 7pm to 8am everynite. It was very trying for her and her family, but, there is hope. I know she had to be very persistant w/her doctor. I will let you know when I have any info for you and your family.

[CHalcomb]

Thank you for taking the time to answer! :) I forgot to mention that my son is now 7 weeks old and that we have been through Similac, Enfamil and Carnation Good Start all before going on the Enfamil AR. The doctor didn't even mention going on Lactofree or anything like that, which is the first thing that I thought he would do. :confused: We still give him the Zantac when we "feel" he needs it, but I still think the symptoms are more colic than reflux. My son doesn't spit up all that much (actually less than my two other sons), but does sound congested.
Anyway, I will be anxiously waiting to hear what you find out from your friend. I have been looking up as much as I can on both colic and reflux, but nothing beyond basic information. :( Everytime we go through one of his "spells" I just keep thinking that "he'll grow out of it, eventually" and am counting down the days! :) LOL Another good thing is that he's finally getting into his smiling stage and one of his little smiles more than makes up for an hour of crying!:love3

CHalcomb