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BR - Trying to help out my sister
Bless her heart, she's giving breastfeeding her all. She's not a very patient person and gives up fairly easy on things when they are too challenging, but she keeps working hard at this.
Her son was born at the beginning of February. She's been nursing from day 1. He fusses all the time. Yesterday he was awake from 7am-noon and cried the whole time. She has worked on her supply and Dr. Secory started him on Zactac a week ago, thinking maybe he had some reflux. That doesn't seem to be helping yet. Does it need more time? She feels like a worrier if she calls the office, but I told her that's what they're there for. She has already met with the LC's at Mercy 1x1. She gave him bottles the other day to give herself a break and she said he was a different baby all day long. Do you think he could have a sensitivity to something she's eating? I'm just trying to help her out in any way I can because everyone else is just telling her to give him formula. I know she wants to make BFing work and I (and the doc and LC's of course) are the only ones really supporting her in that.
Re: BR - Trying to help out my sister
Aww poor girl.As if being a newborn mom isn't hard enough... You know, it couldn't hurt to try cutting out milk based foods and maybe anything acidic. I think more often than not, it seems like for the first 3 mos at least, the kiddos can be sensitive to a lot of stuff.
That said, it doesn't sound normal to cry more than 3 hours. (What's the rule? more than 3 hours for 3 days a week... something like that.) It might be nice to at least have peace of mind and maybe the pedi can think of something that she hasn't.
Has she tried swaddling him to soothe a little bit? Or wearing him upright so that the reflux isn't burning all the time? I'm not a fan of non-sleeping swaddling but maybe he's feeling a little bit insecure?? I'm kind of grasping, really but thought I'd throw it out as a possibility.
I suggested she cut out dairy too. I didn't think of acidic stuff, so I will suggest that too. I believe she does swaddle and she has him sleep in the RnP, so he is upright. I think he does fine when he's in the wrap. Thanks for your ideas!
This brings back bad memories of my early months w/ Gretta. She cried all.the.time. I wanted to give up bfing soooo much, and honestly stayed with it probably most of all for the weight loss (how pathetic am I?) I felt like I couldn't eat anything, no green veggies, nothing acidic, no dairy, etc. In retrospect, I am not sure if it was dietary, or if it was just her? She certainly had colic, and the only thing that worked for her was wearing her in the moby all day. I was warned that I was spoiling her, but you have to do what you have to do to get by.
Over time she finally started crying less. I am not sure if it was the prevacid working, her gut maturing, or just growing out of the colic stage. It just seems like some babies are super fussy, but medicine hasn't really detected a good reason for it. CErtainly some kiddos have acid reflux (though I personally think that can be overdiagnosed these days by parents looking for something to blame and doctors wanted to provide some answer). For other babies it could just be one of several undiagnosible (if that's a word) issues that is causing them to cry. I think that swaddling or using a moby can help b/c for those who are easily overstimulated, it helps them to feel safe w/ their mom.
The zantac should be working by now,b ut if he is showing the tell tale signs of reflux (arching back after eating, grunting, general discomfort right after a feed) then maybe she could ask about a different drug? If he just seems to be upset all the time, it could just be colic.
As far as seeing the pediatrician, tell her that they never ever mind having moms (especially new ones) come in for more peace of mind. Unfortunately sometimes there just isn't anything they can do medically, but they can be sure to check for any common issues,a nd can help provide some more suggestions to try.
Once the weather is nicer, have her wear him in a moby outside. This saved my sanity. I would just walk around the block and cry usually, but at least she would stop crying. We both needed the fresh air.
In addition to acidic, cut out spicy. Will couldn't tolerate anything spicy: salsa, Mexican, spicy Chinese. All my favorite foods.
He'd get grumpy and have horrible diaper rash.
Also, how was he laying when fed the bottles? Was he more upright? Most people BF with the cradle/cross cradle position. Have her try the Football hold, where the baby is a bit more upright. Might help if there's a reflux issue.