So, Olivia is a lot different than Lucas. She screams a lot and seems to be in pain when she poops/farts--which is often! It seems nothing I do helps...time just has to pass and she eventually explodes and is able to relax for a little while, but rarely goes more than an hour (especially at night) without waking and crying at least for a minute or so.
I have worried about it for a while-- I feel helpless. Everytime I try to talk to someone about it, I just get told that their baby was worse...blah blah blah. Doesn't really help Olivia. I finally diagnosed her problem--I mean, I am fairly sure this is the cause and I feel guilty.
With both L + O, I tried directly nursing, but never could keep them latched on (my nipples don't protrude enough). So I started exclusively pumping and feeding my breastmilk to them in bottles. The bottles are Playtex ventaire Advanced which were recommended because they eliminate gas. Lucas seemed to do okay with it--and was really healthy! I thought it was the same with her and I was grateful that my supply is so good I have extra milk all time that I either freeze or give to Lucas. But I recently came across an article that frustrates me because I don't know what I can do...
I am pretty sure Olivia is experiencing a lactose overload. So with breastmilk, there is foremilk which is the more watery thirst-quenching milk, and there's hindmilk which is basically the main course and high in fat. They have the same amount of lactose, but the foremilk's lactose is broken down faster. Basically since I am pumping and putting it all together in a bottle for her, she is getting an imbalance of fore/hind milk, and her digestive system isn't mature enough to create enough of the enzyme (lactase) to break all the lactose down, causing:
*Frequent watery bowel motions (can often be green in color but not always)
*Bowel motions often have a slightly to very offensive odor
*Bowel motions could be frothy or 'explosive' (shoot out with force)
*Bloating
*Cramps
*Excessive gas
*Irritability/screaming
*Sleeplessness or wakefulness
*Baby appears to be constantly hungry
*Baby gains large amounts of weight (which is not the case when a baby is lactose
intolerant)
*Baby is usually less than 3 months old, but this problem can continue to the age of 5
months
This is pretty much Olivia..The only advice on sites I have seen is for nursing mothers to extend feeding times on each breast, or only offer one breast at a time etc. I thought all was well and good with pumping as long as my supply was up, but it seems her tummy is not as mature as Lucas' was. It says it can last to 5 months, so I guess there are only a few months left of it, but I don't want my little girl to be in pain...there is no advice for what is called "E.P.'ers" (exclusive pumpers) because it's too new of an option. No one I know exclusively pumps but I thought it was a great alternative to just giving up and going to formula. I feel guilt for not nursing and I think most mom's do. I felt a little vindicated when I was able to pump for Lucas, but not Olivia apparently. I am also kind of disappointed that I diagnosed it and her dr didn't even mention it when I told him about her stomach pains. I think it's not widely known and often misdiagnosed as "lactose intolerance" which is a lot different (the baby often loses weight not gains)and women are told to switch to formula.
Here's the site I found it on :http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=18
Does anyone that reads this have any advice?
4 comments:
Most of the time, you have to find these things out on your own. You are a great mom for diagnosing it alone. Perhaps you can put her on formula mixed with breast milk until after she is 5 months and then exclusively BF her?
thanks iris. that is a good idea, and i could either give the extra milk to lucas, i just feel bad because I know John + I were planning on not getting formula this time, or at least not this early. I tried to nurse her last night and she screamed so badly until susan came in my room worried. Thanks for the idea--I was thinking of trying to limit her intake to ~2oz at a time, to see if she could digest it easier..?? this is taking a lot out of me! But john comes home next week and things iwll get easier. will let you know how it goes-thanks again.
Well, don't feel bad. If the B/Milk is huring her tummy, then by giving her more, you are doing wrong.
I think you are doing everything you can to make sure she is comfortable-Even if it means removing the B/M for a little while or reducing how much she drinks at a time.
Not all babies are alike (of course) They each need their specific diets. The same is true for adults; Not all adults can eat the same types of foods.
You're a good, caring mommy.
i hope i am. hope her stomach matures soon so that she can be smiley even more and start learning things other than how to fart/poop!
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