New here with a baby with bad gas

I had my baby on August 27th... I tried BF, long story but I stopped. She was put on similac advanced but was having lots of gas pains and was never sleeping because of it. The ped changed it to similac sensitive and it's been a week and it is still a problem. We just saw the ped the other day and he doesn't want us to change the formula again just yet...how long should I wait before I call him. Nights are horrible where she will be up screaming for at least 3 hrs before going to sleep. We tried gripe water the other night and it worked in seconds but I felt horrible for even giving it to her... I know it's all natural but I still felt like I was giving her a drug to fall asleep. Anyone else have formula issues that can give me some advice. I just want her to be happy

New here with a baby with bad gas

This was me exactly. Bf exclusively for a month. Always had horrible gas pains. Introduced formula but still even now gets one bottle of bm a day at 11 weeks. Introduced similac advanced. Didn't work. Introduced similac sensitive. Didn't work. On my own regardless of what pedi said I put her on alimentum rtf and she is a new baby. We never had that gas pain again. Now she farts with a smile.

Trust your gut not necessarily what the pedi says. You know your dd better than anyone.

Message edited 9/11/2013 11:38:09 AM.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

If the gripe water is working don't feel bad using it. That is what it is there for.
Continue to use the gripe water and as the baby gets a little older the gas problems should ease.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

We switched DS to Gentlease when he was having gas issues. It helped alot, but we still had to give him gas drops in every bottle for a while. Then we slowly started to stop putting them in some bottles until we didn't have to give them at all.

If the gripe water helps, give it. don't be worried!

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

Gripe water is far from a drug.
It's all natural things to aid in digestion- like fennel, etc
If it gives her relief keep using it.
It's better than her being in pain.
I also used Mylicon drops - they worked as well.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

Chamomile tea also helps with gas and tummy discomfort.

New here with a baby with bad gas

Don't be worried about the gripe water OR gas relief drops. That's the point of them. Its NOT medicine. Its not dosing her to go to sleep. Its not making her drowsy, its relieving the pain so she can sleep because shes clearly tired.
If someone had pain relief for you wouldn't you want it? Especially if it wasn't meds?

IF this stops helping or isn't relieving her pains, ask about Alimentum. I put my dd on it because I had the same exact issues. Within 1 week I had a brand new baby...

Shes also a newborn and has a immature digestive system.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

Alimentum. I have an an unopened can if you want it. Althougj ds used the ready to feed. Being your babe is sooooo young might not require a gastro doc yet. But knowing what I know know... I would switch. Ask about mylanta or mylicon droips. We used mylanta a few times a day. Gripe did nothing for us. We also swaddled and used an rnp toi keep ds on incline

New here with a baby with bad gas

My DS was on Gentlease for gas issues. I did not ask my Dr I just changed on my own. Formula will not hurt a baby and I don't know many people who had success with the Similac Sensitive for gas.

And also time. Gas issues go away with time and I know that is not what you want to hear. My DS cried 24/7 for 10-12 weeks and then got better.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

we used gripe water and gas drops with DD
as she got older we used it less and less and now shes not gassy at all

good luck

New here with a baby with bad gas

Try Enfamil Gentlease - it's proteins are broken down further and easier to digest. I found that Similac Sensitive did nothing for DS's gas (but, he had lactose issues so we stuck with it since that was all that he'd drink).

Good luck!

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

same issues with DS, we also ended up on Alimentum RTF which worked for him

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

Thanks everyone! Why the hell do doctors even give the similac advanced or similac sensitive if it rarely works for babies!?? I will continue to use the gripe water but I think I want to change her formula too.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

Message edited 9/11/2013 1:55:02 PM.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

Gas drops and bicycle legs worked for DS. Also, when I was cradling him I bent his leg at the knee and bounced/rocked him.

New here with a baby with bad gas

Gas drops, gripe water, massages chamomile tea and enfamil gentlease!
Those are all the things we did for cranky pants. He also had reflux - so he was on meds for that

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

I had the same exact problem with my DS (not too long ago). His Dr had me try the similac soy mixed with similac advance (since drinking only the soy would constipate DS) and it worked for him. Dr didn't want to prescribe the Alimentum without trying the soy first since he said the issue usually resolves itself when they get a little older, which in my case it did. Now DS is on similac sensitive and it's working great for him. Every baby is different and you might have to try different things to soothe them. When DS would scream his head off we notified he'd be soothed with a warm bath and purping him every ounce that he eats (as per dr and a nicu nurse). Good luck, it will get better. I also agree with the camomile tea suggestion.

Re: New here with a baby with bad gas

We are having gas issues too and just started DD on gas drops. I can't deal with the fussiness and crying anymore but I'm not sure what else to do. Dr told me things should get better in the next few weeks so we'll see.

New here with a baby with bad gas

My lo can't tolerate similac. I changed her to enfamil gentlease with gas drops in every bottle and she is very rarely gassy.