I got an email from a mother with a "colicky" 9 month old. I said I would
post some of her information on Lactnet and see what you all had to say. You
can email her directly and also post. She has given her permission. This is
not all the letter because I accidentally deleted it, but it come from my
response to her without my comments. Her email address is
[log in to unmask]


"My son is 9 months old and breastfed. He has been very gassy from day 1,
but it seems to have gotten worse in the past 2 months -- waking up 3-4
times at night, twisting with pain and emitting very loud (!) flatulence. He
cries even when held and sometimes will not even nurse. The problem
sometimes persists during the day for nap time and diaper changes (i.e. when
he is laid horizontal). A lactation consultant
recommended the nursing on one side only technique and that seemed to help
when he was an infant. I have tried Ovol, gripe water, essence of peppermint
in water, glycerin supps (to see if constipation was the culprit)...nothing
seems to help."

"My pediatrician seems to put his bad sleeping habits down to teething and
has suggested I let him cry it out..

"Is my son too old to be experiencing "colic"?

"I realize I should not expect an answer from you but was wondering if you
could suggest other websites or resources I might search to try and help
resolve this problem?"

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC