- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Babies: 0 - 3 Months
The First Night
Okay... So, as you know, we brought Jack home from the NICU yesterday after a 9 day stay. All afternoon he was absolutely great; ate on time, slept soundly, enjoyed his bouncy seat, made eyes at Daddy, everything was great.
And then 11 pm rolled around. And all hell broke loose.
He screamed all. night. long. Seriously. Screamed. We couldn't figure out what was wrong with him; we still don't know. We swaddled (although I am not very good at it and he constantly breaks free), we fed, we burped, we changed, we sang, we rocked, we vibrated, we did everything we could think of and he just would not settle down. Every hour or so he would act like he was STARVING, start rooting around and splaying his hands and feet (one of his stress cues) and wouldn't calm down until I fed him. He didn't go to sleep until after 10am, and even then, would only sleep in the bed with us.
I am really concerned because Jack still has some breathing hiccups, and when he gets really upset like that he begins breathing extremely fast. Obviously he's cool right now (since I'm on TB) but I am really worried that tonight will be a repeat of last night and that his airways are going to be distressed.
Anybody have any tips for keeping my little one calm during his nighttime scream fest? 
I feel so helpless when he just yells like that.
Jack Anderson
2.28.10
Our amazing little man.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: The First Night
When DS gets to the point where we can't console him and his just screaming, I usually put him in his sling and walk around the house. This alone works most of the time but if he is still screaming I have found the vacuum to be incredibly soothing and I have been known to vacuum the house at 2 in the morning. Just turning on the hair dryer has worked quite a few times or throwing a load of laundry in the washer and standing by it. When all else fails in the carseat he goes for a long drive. When DH has his turn he goes to the "manual swing", puts DS in his carseat and swings it back and forth. It gives the arms a workout and usually calms DS down.
You'll figure out what works for you through trial and error. The first few nights home for us were the hardest. It's slowly gotten better but we still have a night once a week where nothing seems to help and I want to break out my bottle of vodka I got for Christmas last year, drink and then feed him. Haha not that I would actually do that but the thought does cross my mind.
Did you try a nice warm bath? (Does he still have his cord? Even a nice warm wipe down might work.)
I agree with PP that it could be gas. Try some Mylicon, too.
Try some Gripe Water....Maybe a go for a car ride?
He still has his cord, but a sponge off might help.
We also noticed this morning that his little butt was red, so we've started using butt paste every time we change him. I think that's helped a little, but I'm so worried that tonight will be as bad as last night.. especially since Bun has decided that I have the night shift. >.< Nevermind that I pretty much have the day shift too.
Don't ya just love men?!
Oh yeah, he has a soothie and a regular paci, and last night we couldn't keep EITHER in his mouth. It was ridiculous. I cried every time he cried. Lol
This 7-minute youtube clip changed our lives. This guy's methods work like a charm for DS when he comes completely unglued.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddRkI5wVIqQ
Keep practicing that swaddle! It's the only way we've gotten DS to string hours of sleep together in his crib. He HATES the miracle blanket, so I've become an arteest in the practice of flannel receiving blanket swaddling.
GL!!
Try some white noise, too. (I know you have a roomie...but I think she'd prefer it over a baby screaming, lol)
The vacuum, a fan, the hair dryer...
If it works get the baby crack machine. It works wonders for Lily!
I second this. Totally changed our lives.
And to contradict everything in the post...
Slow your roll. If you find that he is losing it and you have tried everything, try nothing. Not like letting him CIO, no way! Just minimize what you have going on so that you can understand his needs better. Babies get overwhelmed.
GL!
Something else I'd never do, but I wish I could strap DS's paci in his mouth some nights because he just keeps spitting it out, cries, and just wants it put back in.
Lol, I told Bun this this morning.
Do you have a glider or rocking chair? Cora LOVES rocking, so when she used to get like that I would rock, pat her butt, and go "SHHHHHH" in her ear. I did it really loud since it's was about as loud as a vacuum cleaner in my tummy. This usually worked.
To help with swaddling, we use the Halo Sleepsack Swaddle and Cora lurves that too. https://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2409033 I know it's kind of pricey for a swaddler, but it's truly wonderful!
My sister's MIL said that the only way her DS would keep his paci in was if she looped a burp rag through the handle and let him hold each end of the rag. Then he would hold it in his mouth, lol
This is so true I want to CRY just reading it. I had this very thought this afternoon after sticking his paci in his mouth in his crib for the infinity-th time.
Well it makes me feel better that I'm not the only out there with this thought.
First of all... HUGS.
Here are a few things you could try.
1. THE VACUUM CLEANER!
2. Buy a swaddling blanket. Like a swaddle me. I'm a horrible swaddler too.
3. Maybe buy a different paci (we use MAMS). DS hated soothies and avents, which were the two we were given at our showers.
I hope you have a better night.
This. It could be overstimulation if you're trying everything in the book.
Ellie took the Soothie like a champ at the hospital. Once we were home, no way! I tried Soothie, MAM, Nuks, Avent. Nothing. She hated them all.
Then about a week later I tried again, and the Nuks won.
Totally.
Same here.
Try putting your baby in their carseat and setting it on top of the dryer. Works for my little girl.