The crying is almost more than I can handle

crackerjackprinter · March 2010

DS has this terrible cry from the second he is done eating until he is in the sling, bouncing, and asleep...I've almost given up burping just to make it go away faster.

And half of that time I'm trying to get him to take the pacifier, which makes me feel bad, like I'm just trying to shut him up. I've even tried feeding more but he just pulls off.

I tried the swaddle again and it wasn't working...he still has to be bouncing and it is too hard on my back to hold him and get him to sleep...wearing is easier than that.

I'm starting to be more concerned that maybe he has an allergy or reflux that needs meds...but he's fine at night...feeds fine, lays flat fine, no screaming. Weird.

MarknCalsMommy · March 2010

Not all reflux babies act exactly the same. Since this fussiness is happening right after eating, that really does sound suspicious. And you say he lays flat fine....does he sleep long when he lays flat, or are you just commenting that he can lay without screaming? For my boys, it was the inablity to sleep on their back, they'd do okay on their tummies, but were happiest with their head propped up on my arm.

The bouncing probably helps because it's helping get some gas out, which agrivates reflux. Just my take on it.

papagena · March 2010

(hugs) I'm sorry - there were times when DS's crying drove me absolutely batty - and he was still really a pretty easy baby. : (

My dad was a colicky baby (don't know exactly if it was reflux or something else) but he was only really affected evening/night, for whatever reason. Perhaps it is worth a call to the pedi if you think it may be that?

Genevieved · March 2010

My doc didn't want to keep DD on meds a) they didn't work and b) she had a time period when she was really fussy and fine all the other times so he wasn't sure it was true reflux he said that if it was it would bother her all the time. He was thinking more along the lines of colic (a word I hate) it did however pass pretty quick. He also didn't want to put her on meds unless they really helped or she really needed (wasn't gaining weight and bothered 24/7)

I know she did have some reflux from time to time that bothered her because I could hear her trying to keep it down. A lot of times after she would cry.

As for the pacifier don't feel bad if he is full and doesn't want more it is ok to give him the pacifier some babies just need to suck. I felt bad also but she was so upset at times that I had to find something that helped. The pacifier didn't help until we taught her to take it. If you are having trouble getting him take it put it in his mouth and pull on it just a little, to make him think he is going to lose it and he will learn to suck on it. It will take a little time to do this but DD figured it out pretty fast.

If the pacifier will calm him and make life easier for you and him it is fine to give it to him. It sounds like you could use a break.

Have you seen the DVD happiest baby on the block or read the book? Some of this helped us a lot. I know someone asked you about white nose, we got a sleep sheep as a gift and you can hang it on the side of the crib, pack and play anywhere really. I feel it helped DD a lot.

Hang in there I'm pretty sure I know what kind of cry you are talking about, DD was like that too. Now that it is nice outside do you have a deck or something you could put a pack and play on I know when DD was like this she liked to be outside. It was too cold to try and put her to sleep in the pack n play but I would dress her warm and take he outside. Maybe you would be able to sit back, relax and enjoy spring.

crackerjackprinter · March 2010

DS will go 5 hours at night between his last feeding and first waking, usually asleep for 4 of those hours. That's sleeping with us on his side. Sometimes in the morning he'll roll on his tummy. Scares me to death!

I just finished reading the section on reflux and colic in Dr. Sears' book and I really think it's colic. It started around 2 weeks and has just been getting worse, and it truly is only during the day and not always due to pain or reflux (he doesn't do his pain cry, just an insistent cry).

Good tip on just taking the PnP outside. If it is warm today I'll do that. Not sure what the weather is doing. It's so windy and it's only supposed to be 50 tomorrow (high is usually 75ish)!

proudarmywife08 · March 2010

Try Gripe Water first. That helps DS when he's just fussy. If it is always after eating I would suspect reflux. Reflux babies can't lay flat on their backs b/c it hurts. Maybe this is why he only sleeps while being worn. I bought a bassinet that is inclined and designed for reflux babies. If it does turn out he has reflux, I can give you the link...its FisherPrice from Amazon. It is the best thing I ever purchased, he sleeps so well in it. Anyway I would call the pedi and talk with him to see what his advice might be.

EDIT: I see that you think it might be colic...helps to read the whole thread before hitting reply...anyway the gripe water is supposed to help with colic. It does help DS's fussiness.

hamilton.ja · March 2010

MarknCalsMommy:
Not all reflux babies act exactly the same. Since this fussiness is happening right after eating, that really does sound suspicious. And you say he lays flat fine....does he sleep long when he lays flat, or are you just commenting that he can lay without screaming? For my boys, it was the inablity to sleep on their back, they'd do okay on their tummies, but were happiest with their head propped up on my arm.
The bouncing probably helps because it's helping get some gas out, which agrivates reflux. Just my take on it.

I'd agree with this almost word for word. Eating will soothe any burning in his throat when its actually happening but as soon as he stops and there is something to come back up his throat he'll be in pain again so it could explain why its immediately after eating.

hamilton.ja · March 2010

Just saw you said the long stretch of sleep at night is on his side - that would be best position for a baby with reflux other than incline (or a combination) so that would help him sleep longer if it is reflux...

Also, my son was medicated not becuase of any weight gain issues but simply becuase he was upset about the reflux. I'd rather medicate for pain than not... but I know some people disagree with that.

rockymountaingirl · March 2010

Does your DS's poop look unusual? My DS had a milk protein allergy and it took 3 months of constant crying hell to figure that out. His stools looked fine the first couple weeks but they eventually started to look bloody, mucusy and pebbly (sorry TMI). Then we definitely knew it was a digestion issue.

I hope you figure out what's wrong and get some relief soon! I've been there and know how difficult and exhausting it is when your LO is crying and you can't comfort them.

crackerjackprinter · March 2010

hamilton.ja:
MarknCalsMommy:
Not all reflux babies act exactly the same. Since this fussiness is happening right after eating, that really does sound suspicious. And you say he lays flat fine....does he sleep long when he lays flat, or are you just commenting that he can lay without screaming? For my boys, it was the inablity to sleep on their back, they'd do okay on their tummies, but were happiest with their head propped up on my arm.
The bouncing probably helps because it's helping get some gas out, which agrivates reflux. Just my take on it.
I'd agree with this almost word for word. Eating will soothe any burning in his throat when its actually happening but as soon as he stops and there is something to come back up his throat he'll be in pain again so it could explain why its immediately after eating.

Yeah, but if it was reflux wouldn't he show some sign of it at night? And it isn't just after eating...he will cry basically any time he is awake, 5 minutes after eating or 1 hour+ after eating (like when he was asleep and woke up when I stopped moving).

Since it is only happening during the day I'm really reluctant to suspect reflux and I know the doc will feel the same way.

crackerjackprinter · March 2010

rockymountaingirl:
Does your DS's poop look unusual? My DS had a milk protein allergy and it took 3 months of constant crying hell to figure that out. His stools looked fine the first couple weeks but they eventually started to look bloody, mucusy and pebbly (sorry TMI). Then we definitely knew it was a digestion issue.

I hope you figure out what's wrong and get some relief soon! I've been there and know how difficult and exhausting it is when your LO is crying and you can't comfort them.

Yep, totally normal! That would almost be an easy answer, you know? Except it'd be hard to cut out milk...kuddos to you that did/are doing that!

hamilton.ja · March 2010

Bruce was more agitated by his reflux during the day definitely. At night he was a lot calmer but he also slept in bed with us half the time propped up on one of us or on his side. He spit up but not as much and he generally could do a few hours at a time between waking and he did not fuss the way he did during the day. During the day it was constant holding, bouncing, walking, shushing, feeding, repeating.... I know some of the tests for reflux are a little invasive but if you can't come up with any other diagnosis I'd probably do them just to be certain.

rockymountaingirl · March 2010

crackerjackprinter:
rockymountaingirl:

Does your DS's poop look unusual? My DS had a milk protein allergy and it took 3 months of constant crying hell to figure that out. His stools looked fine the first couple weeks but they eventually started to look bloody, mucusy and pebbly (sorry TMI). Then we definitely knew it was a digestion issue.

I hope you figure out what's wrong and get some relief soon! I've been there and know how difficult and exhausting it is when your LO is crying and you can't comfort them.

Yep, totally normal! That would almost be an easy answer, you know? Except it'd be hard to cut out milk...kuddos to you that did/are doing that!

I was only EPing for the first month and couldn't handle it anymore and quit. DS reacted the same to both the the BM and formula. We were eventually prescribed a hypoallergenic formula and it magically solved everything. Now, DS's digestive system has matured and he can digest the proteins in regular cow's milk. His special formula was super expensive so I'm glad that he's transitioning off of it.

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