I'm telling myself this is the 6 week growth spurt, even though it's been going on for a couple of weeks.
My son cries constantly. He's being treated for acid reflux although we're not sure that's the problem. He will not let me put him down without full on screaming, even for naps. I've tried everything. My H can't even hold him without him screaming bloody murder so I never get a break to like eat, shower and brush my teeth. It's quite miserable for all of us. He's not sleeping more than 2 hours at night either.
Any advice? Experience? We're desperate.
Re: 6 weeks and about to go insane
I've got the Moby and he screams at first then falls asleep for a bit. He also sleeps in the rock n play but will not sleep in his bouncy seat or mamaroo. I'm hoping this all passes soon!
The Houdini swaddle worked wonders for us! Also, there is a book called itsy bitsy yoga... the divine drops and chair pose have worked wonders for us. The hardest part about chair pose is we had to keep doing it and sing "bend and stretch" in a very calming voice. Another option ... which should help with tummy being unhappy is to hold baby on his tummy like this:
We found that if DD is uncomfortable because of any kind of internal discomfort, even though we can calm her in our arms, she fusses the minute she's put down.
Also, on the swing note... DD liked side-to-side, not front to back... she's nearly 8 weeks and is just starting to accept the front to back motion.
Positive for HLA-B27, I'm a mutant
Testing - Me ok, gluten issue? DH - borderline count, low motility
4/28/11 IUI#1 = BFP!(5/25), EDD 2/2/12 - m/c 5w3d
7/3, 7/31, 9/25 - IUI#2-4=BFN
IVF#1 - 1 blast = BFP!! (12/30), EDD 9/9/12, confirmed c/p 4w2d
FET#1 3/2/12 - 2 blasts =BFP!! EDD 11/18/12, us#1 = twins! Confirmed m/c 5w6d
4/20-surprise BFP and another c/p 4w2d
FET#2 7/16/12 - 2 blasts = BFN
FET#3 8/20/12 - 1 blast - BFP!! Beta #1-2=177, 354
1st u/s 5w6d, one beautiful little HB , 2nd u/s 146bpm
baby girl born 5/10/13
TTC#2 since 12/17/2014, Cycle 8
Repeat Testing...FSH=12, AMH=3.8, AFC=28.
IUI#5 5/10/15- c/p?
IVF#2 8/19/15 - cancelled due to cysts
IVF#2 take two 10/2015 - 5 blasts frozen
FET#4 12/11/2015 - BFN - 4 blasts remaining
FET#5 2/18/16 - BFP!!! Beta1-3, 126, 250, 745!!
Tons of love and ((hugs)) to my IF sister NMscubagirl
Just keep trying, and hang in there! I would definitely encourage swaddling and the RnP though. It makes LO feel more secure, like they do in the womb. Also, call in all the help you can get from friends and family! My mom came over everyday during that time, and it helped so much.
Just wanted to offer you huge hugs!!! My DS had colic from week 3ish through just over 4 months.. It was he'll, and I remember writing similar "desperate for anything" posts... I can't see the picture of the hold a previous poster posted, but the football hold or colic carry worked wonders for us.. (Baby faced out with his chin n the crook of our arm and belly against our forearm).. That with a swinging motion would almost always calm him... A super tight swaddle helped him sleep at night, as well as the inclne (also is a reflux babe..).. Switching to nutramigen/isomil mix helped with the belly pains (he would grunt and scream all the time prior).. And, an exercise ball.. We would bounce him gently while holding n the colic carry with some music...
It will get easier!!! Hang in there, Momma!!! Hugs!!!
That age was the peak of my DS's silent reflux. We never were able to get reflux meds (don't get me started, grr), but keeping him upright for about thirty minutes seemed to help, as did doing smaller and more frequent feedings. His was always worst between about 6-10pm...sometimes there would be hours of the most awful screaming then...and nothing I did would help.
The good news is that just as the doctors said, he outgrew it by 12 weeks. Though I know at 6 weeks when you hear that you want to scream because that seems like an eternity away.
Would the swing be an option? DH taking him for a walk or a drive? Just thinking the angle of those might help if its reflux related. Your DH holding him in a different position might help as well.
At that age the one thing that would sometimes work to finally calm DS down was dancing him to sleep. I'd sing or hum a little tune to myself so I kept a nice slow rhythm (otherwise my frazzled self would move too fast and get him riled up more). Bicycle Built for Two worked well for me. Slow, calm, remember to take deep breaths yourself as you do it (he'll feed off your tension or lack of it)...and most importantly, remember that this too shall pass. It sucks like hell when you're in it, but it does get better.
BFP#2 2.5.11 (EDD 10.15.11) DS born 9.28.11
BFP#4 8.27.13 (EDD 5.6.14) DD born 4.23.14
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The hold is exactly as you described =]
Positive for HLA-B27, I'm a mutant
Testing - Me ok, gluten issue? DH - borderline count, low motility
4/28/11 IUI#1 = BFP!(5/25), EDD 2/2/12 - m/c 5w3d
7/3, 7/31, 9/25 - IUI#2-4=BFN
IVF#1 - 1 blast = BFP!! (12/30), EDD 9/9/12, confirmed c/p 4w2d
FET#1 3/2/12 - 2 blasts =BFP!! EDD 11/18/12, us#1 = twins! Confirmed m/c 5w6d
4/20-surprise BFP and another c/p 4w2d
FET#2 7/16/12 - 2 blasts = BFN
FET#3 8/20/12 - 1 blast - BFP!! Beta #1-2=177, 354
1st u/s 5w6d, one beautiful little HB , 2nd u/s 146bpm
baby girl born 5/10/13
TTC#2 since 12/17/2014, Cycle 8
Repeat Testing...FSH=12, AMH=3.8, AFC=28.
IUI#5 5/10/15- c/p?
IVF#2 8/19/15 - cancelled due to cysts
IVF#2 take two 10/2015 - 5 blasts frozen
FET#4 12/11/2015 - BFN - 4 blasts remaining
FET#5 2/18/16 - BFP!!! Beta1-3, 126, 250, 745!!
Tons of love and ((hugs)) to my IF sister NMscubagirl
I agree with all PP, they've given wise advice! DS had colic, too, and it peaked at about 6 weeks for us, as well... We tried everything, and what finally made a difference for us (aside from swaddling, RNP, and the swing) was putting gas drops in each bottle and warming the bottles along with changing to the MAM anti- colic bottles. We also got DS on an organic soy formula, and that made a HUGE difference.
Lots and lots of T&P for you. It doesn't feel like it now, but it WILL get better!
My only advice is make sure you get breaks if you need it. It's ok to let him cry for a few minutes if you need to get some air and leave him with the hubby. Getting breaks from the crying is easier said than done, but you need to put yourself first if only for 5 minutes.
We did what a lot of PP said, cradle hold, bouncing, shushing loudly/bathroom fan, swaddling. Ear plugs if all else fails.
Big hugs.
Hugs! Mine is a reflux baby and there's nothing like that terrible cry. In addition to what others have said, our solution for white noise is the radio set to static while he's sleeping and if he cried inconsolably, the hair dryer was a life saver!
I echo the Happiest Baby on the Block suggestion. Sometimes it was only with all 5 S's that he would calm down. Meds helped him a lot and he's a very happy baby now.
Good luck!!