Colic/ stomach ache?

Posted: Sun, Sep 24 2006, 1:39 pm Post subject: colic/ stomach ache?

My newborn (2 weeks old) has been getting terrible stomach aches after she nurses. I don't know if it is something I am eating or just colic but it's REALLY frustrating because she screams and nothing I do seems to calm her down. She was fine the first 2 days in the hospital and since then it seems to be getting worse. It's not every time she eats but a few times a day.
any suggestions for prevention or ways of making her feel better? my patience is starting to wear thin...thanks!

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 05 2005 Posts: 3502

Dr. Sears has a "colic hold" which my son loved. basically any position which puts pressure on his belly. draped over your arm, or lying lengthwise on your arm (and his face on your hand, sideways). dh liked to hold him, what we caled the football hold- under his arm, facing forward as if he (baby) is sitting but folded more in half, ds loved it.
if colic is not really gas but constipation, you can put a drop of vaseline on the end of a q tip and stick it in his tusig a bit to stimulate the muscle and help him "go".
good luck.

Posted: Mon, Oct 02 2006, 5:47 pm Post subject: re: colic/ stomach ache?

A Dr. in my area suggests "Algecal". I just bought it for my son (almost 3 months) so we'll see if it works!

Could she have reflux?

Executive Member Joined: Sep 07 2006 Posts: 251

It does not sound like your baby has colic. Colic goes by rules of 3 - 3 hours or more, at least 3 days a week and usually lasts until 3 months (sometimes 4). It's likely his stomach is hurting.
My baby is a few weeks old, and we have been dealing with this since she was a few days old. I know it is the stomach hurting because of the way she draws her legs up and her stomach gets hard. I have cut many foods out of my diet - all dairy, soy, tomatoes and tomato sauce, cukes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, coffee, chocolate (that's the hardest!), nuts and I think that's it. I find that it makes a big difference. When I've cheated on pizza and chocolate, he is really miserable a few hours later. (I have heard it takes b/ween 9-12 hours from when the mother eats till the baby gets the food, but have not confirmed it).
I've tried some different colic remedies, as they are aimed for gas pains, and the one that seems to work best is Gripe water. It is a liquid which contains fennel, ginger and a few other things to calm the stomach. I did a lot of research and this is the one parents felt helped the most. The one I am using is from a company called Baby's Bliss. I could not find it where I live, so I ordered it online - the cheapest place to get it is iherb.com. I ordered it late Thursday, and had it by Shabbos. We can feel the gas passing out after we give it. It does not have a hechsher, so if you get a different brand, make sure the glycerin is vegetable glycerin, otherwise it comes from animals and is treif.
Sorry this is such a long post, and let me know if you want more info. It does go away eventually, my other kids had it as well, and it just takes a while for their systems to mature.
Mazel Tov on your baby and hang in there!!

Posted: Tue, Oct 03 2006, 3:45 pm Post subject: re: colic/ stomach ache?

check for acid reflux!!!
a baby that cries in pain after nursing may be suffering from reflux. this is when the milk that is swallowed is followed by stomach acid going back up the esophagus.
thats what happened with my son when he was just a couple weeks old.
hes now on meds and much happier!

Executive Member Joined: Jul 17 2006 Posts: 338

try these:
burp baby after every nurse. (ignore those who say nursing babies don't need to burp)
certain foods may not agree with baby. I went off all raw veg. for a long time and that helped. I added them slowly back to make sure they were ok. some find they can't have milk.
when baby cries, hold baby in sitting position putting pressure on stomach. that should help relieve baby's upset stomach.
(this is a theory of mine so I can be totally off: does baby nurse for too long on a side? mabey baby swallows too much air and that causes an upset stomach. looking back I think thats what I did with my baby.)
good luck. gam ze yaavor

Executive Member Joined: Jul 17 2006 Posts: 338

also, if all else fails, try milicon (not sure of spelling) an over the counter baby stomach soother.

Platinum Member Joined: Sep 10 2006 Posts: 6561

My baby also had reflux! I had to give him smaller bottles more frequently. In my case, 10 bottles of 40 ml instead of 8 bottles of 50 ml. I also had to hold him for 20-30 min after a bottle until he was fully asleep. It was exhausting! I never got more than 75 minutes of sleep at a time for a few months (he was preemie)! For those nursing, I am not sure the best way to accomplish this....

One day, I just noticed it passed and he didn't need me to hold him for so long after the bottle.