How do you handle the screaming?

smaher · March 2010

C has been screaming (gas) for almost 4 hours straight. I've nursed, changed, burped, given chamomile tea (pedi rec instead of mylicon), swayed, been horizontal/vertical/diagonal ... repeated. How do you comfort when there's nothing you can do?

HikerBride07 · March 2010

Have you tried a super tight swaddle and shushing (Happiest Baby on the Block, it's on Youtube)? Vacuum cleaner? Otherwise I just turn music up (something you really love) loud and sing while I rock her. Sorry. It's tough. :-(

Temp769118375005138 · March 2010

Have you tried sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing? The movement really helped DS when he was gassy (which wasn't often, so I don't have any experience with long-term stuff).

I hope things improve quickly!

tracy042206 · March 2010

I have to second Happiest Baby on the Block. It was the only thing that helped us comfort Maggie especially with undiagnosed reflux for the first 5.5 weeks. The jiggling, tight swaddling and loud shushing aren't totally natural but they did help calm her down during her scream fests. Sometimes I would put on one of the kid channels and we would dance to the music - that motion can help. I have never found anything to help the gas though. Good luck, the screaming crying is one of the toughest parts of the newborn stage.

rnin02 · March 2010

Try a warm towel/bllanket/washcloth to the belly, (not too warm!), but warm, that really seems to help some babies. We actually do that fairly frequently in the nursery, warm blanket, then reswaddle. Also, personally, if the chamomile tea didn't help, I would move on to mylicon, gripe water, something else. Try also laying her (him? can't remember now that i'm typing, sorry!) over your legs, face and belly down, and bouncing your legs a little and/or rubbing/patting baby's back or bottom. If you need a break, I always found the bathroom fan with some running water blocks the crying for a few minutes of relief for mommy, and you can start over refreshed. good luck!

Mrs.Ram · March 2010

I agree with PP about having him on his belly - we would walk around with DD on our arm on her belly and it calmed her down. Often just walking around with her facing outward (so she could see stuff) would calm her down.

And if you're not already using mylicon, I highly recommend it. We used it in every bottle until DD hit 5 months.

Good luck! I know how trying it can be.

victoria1212 · March 2010

so sorry! everyone has good suggestions- when DD had bad gas pains, bicycling her legs, a few drops of baby gas x and the vibration of the bouncy seat worked wonders.

vtkgirl77 · March 2010

I just wanted to offer some support and sympathy. The others have given great suggestions of things to try. I hope you get a break soon. And if you ever need to, remember that it's perfectly okay to put him safely in his crib, shut the door and take a breather for yourself. My Pedi told me that and I'm so thankful for that advice. Just make sure you take care of yourself because I know that hours of crying can be very stressful and taxing emotionally.

{{{{HUGS}}}}}

QueSrah · March 2010

And when all else fails, you could always try going for a walk (DD liked the cold air for some reason, and it would calm her down) or a drive. The screaming was the worst and drove me to the end of my rope more often than not for the first few months. Hang in there, and take turns trying different things with your DH - if whatever you're trying isn't working, maybe he'll think of something that will work.

lhartman · March 2010

If this is something that is ongoing you may want to get her checked for reflux or colic. Generally, if they are that young and crying something is bothering them so I would definately ask the pedi. DD had reflux and it was so painful for her.

- LH

MrsKLS · March 2010

Slytherpuff:

Have you tried sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing? The movement really helped DS when he was gassy (which wasn't often, so I don't have any experience with long-term stuff).

I hope things improve quickly!

THIS!!!! Worked like a charm for us!!!

vtmezzo · March 2010

Get a swing!! We didn't register for one and a friend saved my life (and my ears) by letting us borrow hers. We did a super tight swaddle and strapped him into the swing and let it rip. Went through a ton of batteries, but hey, it was worth it. I'm pretty sure one of the new FP ones can be plugged into the wall too. I promise, it will get better. It is miserable though - both to listen to and feeling like you can't do anything to make it better. Make sure you get a break at least once a day too - take care of yourself!

eeclem · March 2010

C didn't really have gas issues, but I remember he was quite a screamer at the one month mark. I took him to the doctor on one particularly bad day and before she even examined him she looked at the chart and goes "One month, huh? That's an awful age! They scream and cry and fight you on everything!". Oddly, that made me feel better and made it easier to deal with.

And ditto everyone above re: Happiest Baby. Good stuff.

Hey Jellisy · March 2010

No additional advice but I just wanted you to know you're not alone and it does get better. Do you have a trusted friend or relative nearby that can watch the screaming child for an hour while you take a break?

tomandcourt · March 2010

eeclem:
C didn't really have gas issues, but I remember he was quite a screamer at the one month mark. I took him to the doctor on one particularly bad day and before she even examined him she looked at the chart and goes "One month, huh? That's an awful age! They scream and cry and fight you on everything!". Oddly, that made me feel better and made it easier to deal with.
And ditto everyone above re: Happiest Baby. Good stuff.

My pedi said something similar: she called the first six weeks the "unrewarding stage." It was really comforting to hear I/DS wasn't the only one going through a rough patch. Everyone's suggestions are good, especially taking a break if you need one. Get in the shower where you can't hear the crying. Or stick your LO in the stroller and get outside - even if they're still crying, at least you're outside and getting some fresh air.

zeptattoo · March 2010

Honestly, when I was dealing with that I changed my attitude from "What can Ido?" to "What have I done?" Then I let him scream and went to do other things, checking in on him every 15 minutes or so. Otherwise I was going to go crazy and that would be bad for everyone. Then, at 7 weeks, the meltdowns just stopped. I have no idea why, just like I have no idea why they started.

It sucks, but its temporary, just remember that.

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