Help!! What is wrong with my baby!?

Question

My husband and I are so lost and frustrated. Our baby started out on Lipil Iron, then at 2 weeks started grunting/turning beet red/ excessive crying...the doctor put him on Gentlease. 3 weeks after trying that, his symptoms have gotten worse than ever. Its like he is trying to crawl up our chests when we hold him, scratching at our necks, screaming, thinks he is hungry and then when we give him the bottle he gags and chokes....walking around holding him upright sometimes calms him down but as soon as we sit down he starts crying again. Took him to the doctor again, they say acid reflux. He has now been on Nutragimen for 5 days and has been taking zantac twice daily for 3 days. NO change. He is only 6 weeks old =-( I want his suffering to end but I dont know what to do. We're supposed to wait until Sept 10 to see the doctor again and tell them if the Nutragimen and zantac worked. I don't think this is right. He is very miserable, turning red, straining, screaming, and I notice he is always moving his tongue around in his mouth...as if you were tasting something. Wouldn't the zantac have helped by now for acid reflux?? Also, they never told us exactly how to give him the zantac. I have been administering it as close to every 12 hours as possible, and mainly its either right before or after he eats. PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer 1

breast mill is always best...and i also have certain conditions which require me to take meds every day...but when breastfeeding i had to stop taking them, but believe it or not while breastfeeding, my sytoms actually got etter.

Answer 2

my son did that stuff and he didnt have acid reflex...he would grunt all the time and turn red like he was pushing and he was but his p**p didnt look hard its just the way he poops. also he cried alot but he just wanted to be held because most the time he would be fine when you picked him up but as soon as you lay him down its back to crying. when my son would try and crawl up my chest and stick his head in my chest and claw my face it was because he was tired but he was fighting his sleep. my son also gaged on his bottles all the time when he was younger. i know it wasnt because it was to fast because i was constatly buying bottle but the only one he didnt gag on was newborn gerber bottles...you can buy them at walmart. if you would like to email me because you have more questions feel free.. [e-mail]

im sure you baby is just fine and alot of doctors say kids have acid reflex when they dont.

Answer 3

i would definately call the doc office if they gave you no instructions.also, if no changes CALL AGAIN dont feel dumb your baby is in pain, he is probably colicy (stomach pains) and that will pass so just get through this it should go away in a matter of short weeks (long for you).. . ask them since there are no changes, what are other possibilities here, get straight answers, ok good luck.  

Answer 4

although zantac helped my baby with the reflux, i would get a second opinion from a different doctor to see whats going on, dont wait until  september to have the baby checked out, im sorry, i know its frustrating, good luck!

Answer 5

if the banked bm doesn't work out, there is one more formula to try after nutramigen: it worked for ruby. it's called neocate. you have to order it, and it's expensive. but if you end up trying it (ask your doc), email me and i will tell you how to get it cheaply and/or covered my insurance. there are ways. it was a miracle for ruby. good luck.

any change can take up to two weeks. but if he is suffering, i agree that is too long. call your doc today. hang in there, momma.

Answer 6

If you are worried you should go straight to the hospital- DO NOT feel bad- this is exactly what they are there for.  Its not fair on your baby to be in such pain and its not fair that you should be dealing with this all alone.  the 10th is too long to wait- go to the hospital today and get help.  Good luck xx

Answer 7

was breastfeeding unsuccessful? you should see if you can get it from a bank, some babies are allergic to all milk( I know a child like this all dairysoy, and peanut products) that is why breastmilk is the perfect food for babies. Ask your dr for a prescription for breastmilk, and your insurance might cover it. Otherwise it's kinda expensive but totally worth it

Answer 8

You need to get a second opinion. I watch mystery diagnosis on TLC and they have things about baby stuff like this all the time. Sometimes it can be something totally differant from what they are diagnosing. Good Luck!

Answer 9

you know it kinda sounds like he's severly constipated. If he's straining to push p**p out and he's uncomfertable, wanting to be held probably cuz constipation can give you a real tummy ache. It can even cause you to not want to eat because if your bowels are so full your tummy feels full so he might choke and gag on his food. I would get that checked out real soon with a pediatric GI doctor. My neice was just like that and she'd have SOME bowel movements and it turned out it wasnt enough... blah blah blah but it's the first thing that popped into my head when you described it. I hope he's okay and your doctor is nuts putting him on so much meds when he's not really sure. Good luck!

Answer 10

I would call your doctor today and explain to him that there has been no change and you are really worried.  They should fit you in to see the doctor today.  If he won't see the baby, find a new doctor.  He could be dealing with colic, but it could also be something more serious.  It's best not to wait until the 10th to find out.  Good luck and hope he feels better!

Answer 11

You need to call your dr.'s office. Follow your instincts. You are his mommy and if you think something is wrong. Get him in sooner, or take him to the ER. That is what I would do.

Answer 12

Goodness, why do people suggest you take a baby to the ER for everything?  As I recall, it took a good week for the Zantac to take effect for my son.  You're doing the right thing, in administering it every 12 hours (the doctor can tell you the dosage for every 8 hours if you think that might be even better). My son started out taking it every 8 hours, and then after a few months I could get away with every 12 hours.  He's probably got a lactose intolerance, or a dairy allergy.  

My aunt told me that with acid reflux a lot of times the infants want to eat all the time (as a way to make themselves feel better, because they don't know any other way to soothe what hurts).  But it can make it worse, because the more they eat the more trouble they have with their reflux.  It's hard when babies tummies are in pain, because that is the only thing they can focus on.  There's not much else to distract them with.  

(moving his tongue around is a newborn thing, it's just something that they do)  

Don't be afraid to call your doctor in the meantime if you have worries.  That's what they are there for.  And if you want to see them earlier than the 10th, go ahead.  

Answer 13

Call your doctor's office.  A nurse practitioner may be able to answer your questions on the phone, or your doctor can call you back.  They can determine if you should come in sooner or if there's something else you can try at home.  Either way, any time you and your baby are this distressed, you should feel free to call the doctor and get some help.

Good luck!