First day on my own with a toddler and newborn

JimmyTheWig

Metranil_Vavin wrote: »

I tried to do a bit of baby massage on her after her bath but it just send her off screaming, so gave up! It didn't work out like the lady on You Tube said it would!

Flat on her back?
Listen, a lot of what you are saying suggests to me that Madammoiselle has reflux.
I'm just some random stranger on the internet. I'm not giving medical advice. I wouldn't expect you to blindly follow it even if I was. But what I am saying is this: Speak to your health visitor about the symptoms. Ask about them reflux and whether they think it is or not. Or just go straight to your GP and tell them if you'd rather.

If it is reflux, the following worked for us...
* Keep baby as upright as possible at all times. E.g. put books or bricks under the head-end legs of the crib.
* Close bodily contact as often as possible. E.g. use a baby carrier rather than a pram and keep baby in the carrier while doing household jobs.
* Movement helps. A battery powered swing was a lifesaver for us.
* Many reflux babies have a problem with dairy and soya. So avoid formula milk (specific formulas are available on prescription for emergencies when you are unable to feed her yourself) and, if possible, cut out / cut down dairy and soya from your diet.
* Different medication and different levels of medication work for different babies, so agree a flexible plan of action with your GP (either where you modify the dose yourself within acceptable limits or you go back to them regularly, etc).

Other than the medication there is no harm in trying the above with a baby who hasn't got reflux. You may want to try some or all of them yourself. If they help that may make a diagnosis easier.


[There's a fair chance that I've picked up on a few isolated things that you have written and this is a red herring. Also, don't panic - most babies with reflux grow out of it at an early age.]

Metranil_Vavin

Thanks jimmy. We have tried elevating one end of her moses basket and that has seemed to help. I have a sling and should probably use it more. Just need to get into the habit of working out how to put it on properly!
She is breastfed at the moment, but I can certainly look at cutting down on dairy in my diet *sobs at having to give up the brie I have been craving all through my pregnancy!*
I am trying to hold her upright for a good while after feeding, and we have found that gripe water is helping to get the big belches up.

Metranil_Vavin

Just thought I would share a pic of Madammoiselle..despite the craziness of her I think she's worth it

pukkamum

Mv it does sound like she may have reflux, my ds now 2.8 (think we were on the pregnancy board together) had it, hated being on her back, fed constantly and screamed and screamed and........you get the picture.
Well gaviscon was a lifesaver, I used it even though I breastfed, I just expressed a little bit and mixed with that.
We kept her as upright as possible at all times, even doing her nappy she was propped up and we propped up her matress too.
I found during the witching hours instead of constantly jiggling her, passing her back and forth, one of us just sat with her swaddled, held quite firmly even through the screaming and she would calm much quicker.
Often the jiggling etc just stimulates them more.
Good luck MV, as a wise woman told me in town when I was trying to breastfeed a screaming baby discreetly, this too will pass. X x

pukkamum

Metranil_Vavin wrote: »

Just thought I would share a pic of Madammoiselle..despite the craziness of her I think she's worth it

So beautiful, I often say its a good thing beast baby was so beautiful, otherwise she may have found her way to banardos!

JimmyTheWig

Oh, she's a cutie.
Looks like she was calm at that moment.

Get that photo developed and put it up on the wall. That will remind you, while she is in the witching hour, that there are calm moments to look forward to.

Metranil_Vavin

Hey pukka..yes we were on the ttc/preggo boards together

Thanks for the tips. I have tried swaddling her but she seems hellbent on struggling free.

The gripe water seems to help a bit, as does keeping her upright.

I don't want to wish the time away too much as they are adorable at this age. It's just hard when you are sleep starved, grumpy and fed up!

Gillyx

Hi lovely, don't want to overwhelm you but our LO's reflux disappeared when we cut the dairy out, we had to cut soya out too, so you're looking at Dairy free alternatives, almond/oat/coconut milk. You need to scrutinise most packaging, as milk sometimes hides under different names.

We didn't get much help from our HV or GP's and had to push to be referred to the hospital, but eventually it came about that we had a cows milk protein intolerance, and once we got it under control, he was a different boy.

It may be as simple as just reflux, but in so many cases, reflux is the result of another cause, mainly intolerances.

If you need any other advice, feel free to PM me xx

JimmyTheWig

Gillyx wrote: »

our LO's reflux disappeared when we cut the dairy out, we had to cut soya out too, so you're looking at Dairy free alternatives, almond/oat/coconut milk. You need to scrutinise most packaging, as milk sometimes hides under different names.

I agree with the sentiment, but the OP's baby is only 1 month old. I don't think (though again, OP, I suggest seeking medical advice) that coconut milk and the like is appropriate.

Gillyx

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I agree with the sentiment, but the OP's baby is only 1 month old. I don't think (though again, OP, I suggest seeking medical advice) that coconut milk and the like is appropriate.

I meant for the OP, if she is breastfeeding? She would have to cut dairy from her own diet. Sorry if I came across like I was recommending alternative milks for a 1 month old, I never would