Colic or.....?

rice0308

I have searched far and wide on the world wide web for support and answers regarding our current situation and have been unable to find anything solid that is helpful. I think that every situation with a newborn is unique, so I wanted to quickly share what I'm experiencing in hopes that someone more experienced can shed some light or offer advice. I am a FTM. My son turned 3 weeks old yesterday. I exclusively breastfed for 2 1/2 weeks and it was extremely overwhelming and difficult for me. I had a great milk supply and DS had a great latch - but he was up every 2-3 hours and my husband had to return to work after a week off so EBF was very difficult on me. I was overly emotional at every feeding. I was exhausted. My husband could only do so much. I made the decision to begin pumping more so that I can switch to bottle feeds and my husband could pitch in and offer me a break. We had planned to switch to formula before I returned to work anyway, however, we opted to introduce formula earlier so that we could work through the changes that we knew it would bring. That decision was extremely difficult and switching him to formula was difficult on me. I still feel like a bad parent - a quitter. I feel like I failed him. The past few nights have further encouraged those feelings as he decides to be awake and fussy between the hours of 8pm and 2:30am - almost to the minute. He sleeps ALL day long. I feed him 3oz of formula every 3 hours. I burp every ounce. This will be night 3 and we are slowly approaching that time. I purchased new bottles specifically for colic as the bottles we were using were for breastfeeding babies. I have gas drops and gripe water. We used the drops last night and have yet to use the gripe water. Basically, we feed him and attempt to rock him back to sleep that usually takes 5 minutes. After 8pm, all he does is fuss. He is fine when he is in our arms or has his pacifier in. The moment we try to lay him down, he freaks. He does not do this during the day. We are very careful not to hold him too much so it's not as if he just wants to be held "as usual". He eventually settles around 2:30am and will sleep until 6 or 7am. I guess I just don't understand the WHY behind the time of day. Our routine during the day is great. He is eating the same formula and we are following the same routine, so what about this time of day causes him to unleash fury? I haven't found the answer to that question. I've only been able to determine that others have these issues. I try the bicycle kicks and tummy rubs. We even warm up his bed some so that it's comforting. We have swaddled him. I feel like we have tried everything. Please help!

Knottie1442268460

Research the witching hour. It also could be colic-talk to your pedi.

Are you doing the 5 s steps? Swaddle, shush (white noise), suck, side, swing?

We hold ours nearly all day & baby sleeps at night. I'd say our baby is slightly off on night & day. Still sleeping most of the day & wants to get up at 4.

We had to try different formula. Milk was making baby sick so we're on soy. But baby was fussing ALL DAY long on milk formula.

Bigboobsmcgee

OP I doubt it's colic. I doubt it's the formula and you aren't spoiling him by holding him. This is just what babies do. For real. You need to adjust your expectations because what you are describing is a totally normal stage of development.

Newborns and young babies tend to sleep a ton during the day (this is good!) and then sleep off an on during the night. Like PP said above; research "the witching hour". That will explain a lot of your LO's behavior.

The first couple months of life babies are just getting used to things. Getting their digestive system in order, learning to differentiate between night and day and depending on you a LOT just for comfort. I tried so hard to figure all this out when my first child was born and I was beside myself when I couldn't calm him down. It took me having my second child before I realized I had to just wait for the hard shit to pass. Things got much better at about 3 months.

Let your LO sleep during the day (sleep begets sleep) but keep it bright and noisy. Keep it dark and quiet at night (don't even have the TV on) and keep the stimulation to a minimum. With that being said, if your LO wants to party at 1am then you just have to hang out with him until he's ready to fall asleep.

Babies are so much harder than anyone realizes. It's ok to be frustrated and be at your wits end but just know it will pass.   

Bigboobsmcgee

And please, please don't feel like you will spoil him by holding him. Trust me when I say you will regret that. He's so little and needs you right now so if he's happy being held then do it. I still try to force my 13 month old to let me hold her

PlainJane8350

Have you tried eliminating dairy? I tried everything and saw a whole new baby after a couple of weeks. I love cheese, but everyone comments on how my L.O. finally seems relaxed and smiles, etc.

We also have her on probiotics, but we just started those.

Knottie4978096

It sounds like your little guy is completely normal. It isn't colic. Colic is utterly relentless - they scream bloody murder for days on end and don't stop to sleep or eat (somehow, they manage not to die from this), turning the parent into a desperate wreck. But in any case, there's little to be done about colic either - one day it just stops. So, babies are often reversed in their sleep patterns (sleeping all day, active at night), they tend to fight sleep (the more exhausted they are, the bigger the fight). And your little guy's only 3 weeks old. This is all very normal. Agreed with the other posters about removing stimulation at night, but he still might not get the hint. Just be consistent (as possible) with your schedule - babies like routines, maybe just so they can wreck them. And hold him and smooth him. It's tough, but it'll get better. As for feeding him, it doesn't sound like anything' wrong, but follow up with your dr. As long as he's not displaying the hungry signs after he's fed (indicating he might need more), or vomiting or writhing in pain from gas, chances are he's just normal.

magnolia305

My three week old does the same thing. He just likes to be up and hang out til about 2. I've adjusted my schedule (nap during the day when he sleeps) so that I can more easily stay up with him. Hang in there! I'm told it gets better soon!

buckwheatpancakes

I have a 3 week old. I follow his schedule because at this stage, they can't really adjust to parent needs. He feeds all day. He's just hungry like that. Takes a couple of naps during the day, and that's when I catch up on sleep. Cuddling with him. Loves being held so I give that to him. And we co-sleep, where he wakes up once during the night to feed.

They are so little and 100% dependant on us, I give him whatever it is he wants and needs to feel comforted and loved. Sure I feel like I'm giving myself up 24/7 with barely any time for me to eat, sleep, and pee, but he is my greatest responsibility and priority now.

Good luck!