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