Crying baby

Ms_Loucel

My baby is 1 1/2 weeks and he cries constantly.  I feed and change him.  I put him in his crib and he starts crying.  I hold him and he takes quite a while to settle down.  Today he was fussy for 5 hours off and on.  Is this normal or should I be worried?  Could he have colic?  He constantly gets the hiccups.  Any advice?

NY-allie

Have you read Happiest Baby on the Block.  That book has a lot of hints on how to calm a crying baby that worked for us. 

TrumpetBride

I agree with the PP.  HBOTB worked WONDERS for us!!  Also, it could be colic, the happiest book talks a lot about colic.  Your LO is probably getting hiccups because of the crying.  When they cry for longer periods they intake a lot of air.  You might also try gripe water by little remedies (sp?) It is for colic and hiccups.  You can find it at Target or BRU.

Also, are you breastfeeding or formula feeding?  It may be gas?

HTH!

Ms_Loucel

I am breastfeeding and doing formula.  I try burping after each feeding, but I don't have much luck.  I feel like I am doing something wrong.

Mrslove78

Yes, have you ever heard of the Dunston Baby Language?  (It's a set of 2 DVD's.)

I got this when my baby was a week old, and it's been a miracle every single day for us!  Every cry has a specific sound, and each cry is like a word, this helps you translate a baby's language.  It's the most valuable tool I own for my baby.

TrumpetBride

Hmm, my LC taught me a trick w/ burping.  She had me start patting by his bottom and working my way up towards his head.  That gets the bubble moving upwards.  Also, in happiest baby on the block, he talks about giggling the baby on your knee (like riding a horse kind of...) to knock the air bubbles loose during burping.  Also, maybe try different positions (i.e. on your knee hold his chin w/ one hand and patting with the other, or over the shoulder)

Without really being there, judging by the hiccups and crying, it could be gas.

Another trick is laying your baby on his back and bicycling his legs.  That pushes the gas around and hopefully out one end. 

I hope these help!!!

Mrslove78

TrumpetBride:

Hmm, my LC taught me a trick w/ burping.  She had me start patting by his bottom and working my way up towards his head.  That gets the bubble moving upwards.  Also, in happiest baby on the block, he talks about giggling the baby on your knee (like riding a horse kind of...) to knock the air bubbles loose during burping.  Also, maybe try different positions (i.e. on your knee hold his chin w/ one hand and patting with the other, or over the shoulder)

Without really being there, judging by the hiccups and crying, it could be gas.

Another trick is laying your baby on his back and bicycling his legs.  That pushes the gas around and hopefully out one end. 

I hope these help!!!

Good suggestions, I also sit my baby on my knee and turn him in circles... sounds crazy but it works so well.  (hehe, I also got this tip from the Dunstin Baby Language)

TrumpetBride

I'm going to have to look that book up!  It sounds a lot like the Baby Whisperer. 

Mary0913

Ms_Loucel:

I am breastfeeding and doing formula.  I try burping after each feeding, but I don't have much luck.  I feel like I am doing something wrong.

My DD is not always the easiest burper either.  Happiest Baby on the Block also talks about burping.  Here's the three ways it's suggested:

1. Sit baby up on your lap, support chin and head and pat on back

2. Prop baby over your shoulder and pat on back

3. Lay baby on your lap and pat on back

It also suggests putting a little pressure on LO's belly to help the burp come out and sitting LO up on your lap and bouncing them for a few seconds.  Babies stomachs are like bottles of soda - air bubble stick to the sides, so when you bounce them a little it helps the bubbles rise to the top and then they can burp easier.  Hope that helps!