I am a firm believer that “colic” can sometimes be a symptom of something else bothering your baby. Yes, babies have fussy periods. They cry. They have rough days. But being inconsolable for most of the day, sleeping peacefully and suddenly waking up screaming, screaming through feeds, or screaming every time they’re laid flat? In my opinion, that deserves a closer look instead of automatically being brushed off as “just colic.” I learned that with my first baby. As a first-time mom, I didn’t know any better. I thought maybe this was just what having a baby was like—until I started searching for answers and advocating for her. Eventually, we discovered she had FPIAP (food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis). Her fecal calprotectin was five times the normal range. I spent two months eliminating all of the top 8 allergens from my diet while breastfeeding, with minimal improvement. We eventually switched her to Neocate, and within about a month, she was a completely different baby. She was also treated with famotidine and eventually omeprazole for severe reflux. Then came baby #2. She had a milder cow’s milk protein allergy and reflux. Famotidine helped, and she tolerated Alimentum beautifully. Once we figured out what worked for her, she was genuinely the easiest baby. And then came baby #3… who may be giving us the biggest run for our money yet. 😂 He has had feeding issue after feeding issue: tongue tie, lip tie, suck-swallow-breathe coordination difficulties, severe reflux, excessive and incredibly painful gas, and mucousy stools that havd progressed to having blood in them. We have to feed him side-lying because otherwise he struggles to keep up with the bottle. Since coming home from the hospital, he has barely been able to tolerate lying flat in his bassinet or crib. He has essentially slept on either my husband or me because putting him down—even for a minute—can send him into hysterics. His reflux became severe enough that we had a terrifying breathing episode during one of the very few times he actually slept in his bassinet. Thankfully, our Nanit alerted us. We have tried what feels like EVERYTHING. Different formulas. Different bottles. Different nipple flows. Paced feeding. Side-lying feeds. Burping more frequently. Smaller feeds. Larger feeds. Keeping him upright for 20–30 minutes afterward. Osteopathic treatment. Reflux medication. Alimentum. Nutramigen. Neocate—which initially made his reflux about 100x worse. His current regimen is famotidine for reflux and Neocate thickened with 1.5 scoops of Gelmix. At this point, I’d say he’s about 40% better. Now we’re giving the Neocate time—hopefully a solid month—to let his poor little belly heal and see where we end up. 🤍 After three babies, the biggest thing I’ve learned is this: You know your baby. “Common” doesn’t necessarily mean your baby has to suffer through it. If something feels wrong, keep asking questions. Keep advocating. Keep looking for answers. Sometimes a baby really is just fussy. And sometimes “colic” is the beginning of the conversation—not the end of it. 🤍 #colic #CMPA #reflux - @becomingher.whit