I have a breastfeeding mother who is having problems with her 3 month old
infant.  Since almost birth she has has problems with terrible gas and crying
spells.  The infant crys in pain, her stomach becomes quite hard and she is
relieved by passing gas.  I keep expecting the infant to grow out of it, or
wonder if it was just normal infant fussiness.  These spells can actually
wake the child from a sound sleep and is only relieved with lots of gas
passing.  Mother is exclusively breastfeeding but has recently told me she
wants to try formula.  Her husband and mother are encouraging her to try
formula.  She has cut out caffiene and chocolate.  Today we talked about
cutting out the peanut butter sandwich she enjoys daily.  Also trying to cut
out cow's milk from her diet.  She occationally drinks beer, and has actually
just switched to decaf (which still contains some caffiene). She pumps and
occationally gives a bottle of EBM.  I have observed the infant nursing and
she is not swallowing any air or gulping her food, although mother reports
that sometimes she feels she is swallowing air.   Anyway, this is really
interfering with her breastfeeding relationship in that she blames her self
for these gassy spells and is considering weaning.  I told her all of the
reasons why giving formula would be about the LAST thing she would want to
try.  Please advise.  I told her I would seek advise from some of my
"friends" who had alot of experience with this.
Sincerely,  Jennifer Myers Coombs, Physician Assistant