Where does the problem lie?

SarahBear

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OK, so several days ago, Violet "threw up." Then it happened the next two days. I'm told it was probably "spit up" rather than "throw up," but anyway, that's what I noticed first. Then the night before last night, she was up a lot at night and when I tried putting her down, she would cry. I found that if I laid her on my chest she was better. We bed-share so I drifted off a bit like this before shifting her to her side and then to her back next to me. We were up a good long time before I was able to do this, however. She also kept trying to nurse but it seemed she had drained things out and there was nothing left. Last night was another sleepless night where she would get upset if I put her anywhere other than laying on my chest. Another problem is that when nursing, she often coughs and gags after sucking for a while. At this point, I generally try to burp her although I'm never quite sure how long to try for. Last night and the night before, there was a lot of nursing, crying, and generally not settling down.

Does she perhaps have reflux? Could it be she's still getting used to my flow of milk and in the meantime it's causing problems? What do you think?
 
My son is the same. He's 7 weeks old. I don't have an answer but I try to burp him after 5-10 minutes and then when he's done (after about 20). He also spits up quite a bit. If I let him feed too long like 40 minutes he will projectile vomit after a little while because it was just too much in his stomach.
He was also four weeks early and he's a boy so I think they're more prone to this.
I'm not sure if this is reflux or just being a little baby.
 
What you are describing just sounds like normal newborn behaviour. I don't think all the different things are related, it's just what they do! The constant feeding is what they do in spurts at this stage. I usedtocall them hungry days and sleepy days. Sometimes she would feed every 1-3 hours and sometimes she would sleep for 3 hour stretches and barely snack in between. Go with the flow and rest when you can.

The spit up could be wind so just try sitting lo up on your lap for 10-15 mins after each feed to help it settle. In a week or so you will notice that she is happier being put down bit for now she is getting used to the outside world and needs the cuddles and contact.
 
That all sounds pretty normal. It takes a few weeks for newborns to get used to the big wide world, and your LO is only 10 days old.

Only thing is to remember that your breasts are never completely drained. If LO wants to latch, even after a big feed, then let her. The flow slows down, but there will always be some milk in there for her :)
 
Thanks everyone. It seems that there are a few things I can do to help but ultimately, she's a newborn and will have some of these issues. Part of the reason I worry though is that I had reflux as a baby so when I saw something that seemed related, I got worried.
 
It might be worth getting her checked for tongue tie, but for the moment I'd just assume it was normal. If she doesn't settle down in a few weeks, then perhaps look into things further. Winding a newborn can be a real pain-the tiniest burps can cause massive problems, and they can behave as if they're starving when actually they're just windy.

It will get easier, this first bit really is just guessing and trial and error as to what works. You won't generally go too far wrong by offering milk, though :)
 
It might be worth getting her checked for tongue tie, but for the moment I'd just assume it was normal. If she doesn't settle down in a few weeks, then perhaps look into things further. Winding a newborn can be a real pain-the tiniest burps can cause massive problems, and they can behave as if they're starving when actually they're just windy.

It will get easier, this first bit really is just guessing and trial and error as to what works. You won't generally go too far wrong by offering milk, though :)

She made it quite clear moments after birth tat tongue tie wasn't the problem. And after making various modifications, I'm finding things to be a bit better. Of course it could be a fluke that things have been a bit better, but I don't think it is.
 
Tongue ties can be very subtle but still cause a problem. I wouldn't assume anything is wrong at the moment, but it would be worth ruling out if you're still struggling in a few week's time :flower:
 

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