Newborn Questions

mamaelle27

Thought we could use a thread for those of us with babies at home to post questions and concerns for other mamas to answer or commiserate. 

mamaelle27

Anyone deal with a newborn with reflux/regurg issues? The drs and nurses assured us that it's fairly normal at only 3 days old but baby girl eats well and then a couple hours later spits up a lot and kind of gag chokes until she gets upright and gets it all out. We're working through it but it's very off-putting and just wondering if anyone has suggestions. We're already feeding her slowly, lots of breaks and burps, and holding her upright for 30 mins after she eats. Also, any tricks for getting the baby to burp? It's funny, I'm a STM and I still feel like a complete novice, every baby is different! 

Wino0920

mamaelle27 said:

Anyone deal with a newborn with reflux/regurg issues? The drs and nurses assured us that it's fairly normal at only 3 days old but baby girl eats well and then a couple hours later spits up a lot and kind of gag chokes until she gets upright and gets it all out. We're working through it but it's very off-putting and just wondering if anyone has suggestions. We're already feeding her slowly, lots of breaks and burps, and holding her upright for 30 mins after she eats. Also, any tricks for getting the baby to burp? It's funny, I'm a STM and I still feel like a complete novice, every baby is different! 

Are you BF or FF? Maybe keeping track of what your eating and trying to associate it with when she has it the worst? Or maybe change Formula to a more gentle/gas reflux formaula? 

Elyse1384

@mamaelle27 I'm the proud mama of 2 reflux babies!  Both my DS and DD has horrible reflux that really took a turn around 2w of age.  Both saw/see a GI specialist and were put on baby Prilosec.  They both had underdeveloped valves so their little bodies couldn't keep milk down.  I breastfed so they also asked that I note what I was eating and if the reflux was worse with certain foods.  DS had added challenges with cow's milk so I had to remove that form my diet.  Between that and the Prilosec things became manageable.  DD on the other hand had issue cow's milk, soy and eggs.  She looked like something out of the Exorcist after a meal!  We ended up seeing an allergist as we didn't see improvement by 1yo with those foods and she was diagnosed with some allergies.  

Definitely try to keep LO's sleeping arrangement ever so slightly angled up for the head.  That helps a bit (not too drastic of an incline of course that could pose risk to airway).  I would hold both kids upright after a meal for at least 30 minutes and that really helped! Annoying, but helpful.  I'm beyond fearful of this LO having reflux as that underdeveloped valve tends to be genetic.  Feel free to PM me if you ever want to chat more about all things reflux.

motherhen-2

@mamaelle27 We were dealing with a similar situation in the first few days after delivery. Did you notice LO spitting up mucus post-delivery? Apparently quick deliveries often result in baby swallowing mucus (my little guy came out with only 1 push), so he had lots of mucus to get up. Once he started feeding good he'd spit up with almost every feeding. It's now day 8 and he's hardly spitting up, so I'm fairly certain the mucus was the culprit. Hope it's the same for you!

shmarpler

Someone told me that I needed to burp my baby until she burped, and then burp her again.  I really was not spending enough time trying to get those bubbles out.

Since I was nursing, as PP said, I was also told to log what I ate, and I realized that breads really upset her tummy. She still can't eat bread as she gets a stomach ache and eczema.

I also had oversupply issues and those can cause tummy problems as well.

flyingncmama

@mamaelle27, for my kiddos the best burping position as newborns was sitting on my knee.  I would cradle their head between my thumb and index finger under their chin and use my other hand to pat.  

mamaelle27

Ladies, thank you all for taking time to reply! @Elyse1384 that sounds like a really tough situation, you're awesome for handling it all, and I'll definitely be PMing you if this continues. @motherhen-2 that's what the doctors think our issue is, really hoping they are right and this resolves on its own. I had her in the rock n play during the day today and it hasn't happened, so I'm thinking maybe it only happens when she lays flat in the bassinet.

tmrussell

flyingncmama said:

@mamaelle27, for my kiddos the best burping position as newborns was sitting on my knee.  I would cradle their head between my thumb and index finger under their chin and use my other hand to pat.  

I have found this works like magic!

@mamaelle27 I also found my LO sleeps much better in the rock n play. I was nervous to have him sleep in it at night but we started last night and it went well. 

My issue is supply. My little one was having a hard time swallowing during breastfeeding so he would nurse for a long period of time but not actually get nutrients so we were sent home from Dr with the plan of breastfeed for 15 minutes bottle feed and then pump and that was just too much. So I stopped breastfeeding at every feeding and just did the bottle and the pumping and my Supply is so horrible I am lucky to get a combined 1.5 ounces each session. I really want to stop pumping but I have serious mom guilt about it. I also had supply issues with my first son but I got about three ounces a session and 6 in the morning and was able to provide about 75% of his daily intake and I pumped for 10 months for him. I am not sure what I am going to do. I keep pumping hoping it will get better. I hate being tied to the pump.

mamaelle27

@tmrussell, thanks! They say a lot of people respond better to the baby nursing than the pump, so if there's no reason not to, you might want to put the baby to the breast sometimes to try to stimulate your production. Also, skin to skin is supposed to help too. Don't feel guilty, you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm formula feeding this time because I know I could not handle breastfeeding + two under two.

Just an update on us, baby girl's reflux seems to have subsided so fingers crossed it was just a first few days thing and is gone for good. Thanks for all the advice, ladies.

KB00

mamaelle27 said:

@tmrussell, thanks! They say a lot of people respond better to the baby nursing than the pump, so if there's no reason not to, you might want to put the baby to the breast sometimes to try to stimulate your production. Also, skin to skin is supposed to help too. Don't feel guilty, you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm formula feeding this time because I know I could not handle breastfeeding + two under two.

Just an update on us, baby girl's reflux seems to have subsided so fingers crossed it was just a first few days thing and is gone for good. Thanks for all the advice, ladies.

Yay! Glad the reflux is settling down. My son had reflux when he was an infant and it took months and a GI to help us figure out what we could do to help him keep food/milk down. I swear we tried every formula on the market! I hope it's settled down for good for you guys! 

mamaelle27

Anyone have any tips for drying up breast milk that Dr. Google hasn't already told me? Day 6 and the pain is real.

Also, just a PSA for any formula feeding mamas, Walmart online has the Enfamil newborn nursettes (pre made 2 oz bottles) and nipples (ready to use) and free 2 day shipping. It's crazy expensive but so convenient for the first couple of weeks. I'm so glad I had them waiting when I got home from the hospital. I'd suggest slow flow nipples as our hospital only had standard flow and they were choking baby girl.

delujm0

@mamaelle27 I've read that certain cold medications, like the high test mucinex, can dry you up...I know when I was breastfeeding I was told to avoid them for that reason.

Kylieslip24

@mamaelle27 I think oregano oil dries you up too. I don't remember why exactly, but I had to wait until dd was weaned to start using it. 

Xath

mamaelle27 said:

Anyone have any tips for drying up breast milk that Dr. Google hasn't already told me? Day 6 and the pain is real.

Also, just a PSA for any formula feeding mamas, Walmart online has the Enfamil newborn nursettes (pre made 2 oz bottles) and nipples (ready to use) and free 2 day shipping. It's crazy expensive but so convenient for the first couple of weeks. I'm so glad I had them waiting when I got home from the hospital. I'd suggest slow flow nipples as our hospital only had standard flow and they were choking baby girl.

Sudafed (the stuff from behind the pharmacy counter), cabbage leaves in your bra. Wear 2 sports bras and bind them up tight.  Cold compresses.  

Stankonia2014

@mamaelle27, I agree with cabbage leave, double bras, vitamin b6, and peppermint.

neludelu

Start stressing about not being able to provide enough and panic for a few days about it. It will dry you up quick. Worked for me like a charm last time. #breastfeedingforreal

mamaelle27

@Wearmi1 how is Miss Adeline?

midwestmommy90

My little lady has been suffering with reflux pretty bad. It seemed to get worse after a week. So, we bought a wedge to go under the mattress of her bassinet and it seemed to help a lot! 

shmarpler

TGmomtobe90 said:

My little lady has been suffering with reflux pretty bad. It seemed to get worse after a week. So, we bought a wedge to go under the mattress of her bassinet and it seemed to help a lot! 

Once she gets to two weeks old, you can also try gripe water. It was life changing for DD1!

mamaelle27

shmarpler said:

TGmomtobe90 said:

My little lady has been suffering with reflux pretty bad. It seemed to get worse after a week. So, we bought a wedge to go under the mattress of her bassinet and it seemed to help a lot! 

Once she gets to two weeks old, you can also try gripe water. It was life changing for DD1!

Ugh, I'm sorry to hear this, our days with reflux were awful. I highly recommend the Rock n Play. We didn't let her sleep in it overnight, but she stayed in it during the day and it definitely helped. Hope it clears up soon!

red riding hood

@mamaelle27 cold compresses and cabbage leaves worked very quickly for me also, and the cold compresses for sure soothes the pain of engorgement

mamaelle27

@Wearmi1 I saw you responded to another post but not here, just wondering how Adeline is doing.

anitamargarita_82

Sorry I'm on mobile and don't see notifications.   The little princess is doing well.  She's 9 weeks old now.  At her last wellness visit she was up to 6lbs.  I would guess she's getting close to 8 by now.  She's a very sweet baby.  

mamaelle27

Can anyone recommend a bottle for excessively gassy formula fed babies? Tommy Tippee and Dr. Browns both seem to have bottles with little inserts that supposedly remove more air/create less gas. Or does using a formula pitcher vs. shaking the powder actually help? 

alm52386

mamaelle27 said:

Can anyone recommend a bottle for excessively gassy formula fed babies? Tommy Tippee and Dr. Browns both seem to have bottles with little inserts that supposedly remove more air/create less gas. Or does using a formula pitcher vs. shaking the powder actually help? 

My friends used dr. Browns bottles and I love them! No idea if they actually helped with gas or not because her babies had super bad reflux and colic and cried and spit up literally all the time. I've never used a pitcher for formula but I always tried to mix the formula in with the insert from the dr browns bottle by stirring it and then do a swirl more than a shake. Also it seems like warm water mixes better than cold or room temp and certain formulas mix better than others. But I also tend to always make chunky formula bottles so who knows! 

Kylieslip24

mamaelle27 said:

Can anyone recommend a bottle for excessively gassy formula fed babies? Tommy Tippee and Dr. Browns both seem to have bottles with little inserts that supposedly remove more air/create less gas. Or does using a formula pitcher vs. shaking the powder actually help? 

When I nannied I had a sensitive lo during her transition from breast to formula and the Drs told us never shake, always stir. 

doodleoodle

mamaelle27 said:

Can anyone recommend a bottle for excessively gassy formula fed babies? Tommy Tippee and Dr. Browns both seem to have bottles with little inserts that supposedly remove more air/create less gas. Or does using a formula pitcher vs. shaking the powder actually help? 

I'm not sure if a formula pitcher would help or hurt with gas, but I will say that when using a formula pitcher the formula powder never seems to fully dissolve and it settles at the bottom. You have to stir it up again before pouring it. I only ever used a pitcher once because I felt like the formula wasn't being evenly distributed.

mamaelle27

@alm52386 @Kylieslip24 @doodleoodle Thanks so much for the advice. I bought a pack of Dr. Browns bottles today and so far so good, could be coincidence though so we will see. If the new bottles alone don't work I think I'll start stirring instead of shaking b/c the pitchers seem to have their own problems. 

m6agua

mamaelle27 said:

Can anyone recommend a bottle for excessively gassy formula fed babies? Tommy Tippee and Dr. Browns both seem to have bottles with little inserts that supposedly remove more air/create less gas. Or does using a formula pitcher vs. shaking the powder actually help? 

*lurking from Nov16*

Get the Doctor Browns formula mixer... It is amazing!
Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing ...

I EFF and used this along with Dr. Browns bottles and worked out well. I wouldn't say mine was excessively gassy though.