Ask My Little Buddha

April 20, 2007 | Print

I’m nursing and I’ve changed my diet, but still my 4 week old baby cries so much and seems uncomfortable. What can I do for her?

Some newborns have a rough time adjusting to the world their first 3 months. It’s also common, starting at 4-6 weeks, for newborns to have a daily cry (usually in the late afternoon or evening) when they can’t seem to be consoled.

The crying and discomfort usually pass by 10-12 weeks of age. That said, here are some other ideas to consider:

1. Take another look at your diet. As you’ve already done, we recommend that moms nursing newborns avoid certain foods to reduce gassiness and help with sleep (though fyi, Kelly always cheats a bit).

Sometimes, a baby has a sensitivity to an unexpected food, like a brand of prenatal vitamin. You can try Dr. Sears’ elimination diet.

Diet restrictions can be hard on a hungry, tired nursing mom, so another idea is to find some support with the process. Look for an accupuncturist, homeopath or other alternative health practitioner with experience treating babies and helping nursing moms. To find that person, ask other parents, your pediatrician, or friends.

2. Call a lactation consultant. A conversation with a lactation consultant may lead you to a breastfeeding detail that helps your baby.

From conversations with lactation consultants about our gassy babies, we both discovered that we have overactive letdowns. The breastmilk comes so fast, our newborns are flooded at the beginning of a feed. They gulp, causing them to swallow air which makes them gassy.

If we don’t have a local lactation consultant to call, or want a second or third opinion, we rely on The Pump Station for help.

The Pump Station is located in LA, but we call from out of state to talk to their consultants. Some information is free over the phone, or you can make an appointment that often is covered by insurance.

3. Visit an osteopath. Babies sometimes have a compression or digestive quirk from their position in the womb or the birth process. An osteopath, cranial sacral therapist or network chiropractor can help relieve the discomfort.

Our newborns have received all three of these gentle treatments with great results. It’s important to find someone with experience with babies, again asking other parents, your pediatrician or friends for referrals.

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