Eat, sleep, cry...help

[Hunni Bee]

So that's where we are with my daughter.

She sleeps about 10 hours out of 24. When she's awake, she wants to eat. If its not time to eat, she cries. And cries. And cries.

The crying has been slowly building in frequency and intensity for the past couple weeks until this weekend when it basically went to Cry All Day. She used to be very easy to comfort, but now she cries whether being held, rocked, walked, etc.

I've been reading and most sites say the crying peaks around 6 weeks and slacks off about 3 months. She's 7.5 weeks but today is her original due date, so supposedly she's on the level of a newborn. But she has been consistently meeting and surpassing milestones for an infant born on time.

I understand that she's going to cry and her ped appointment is this week, so an untreated food allergy may be contributing, but what do I DO about it? Nothing I've read gives any real answers.

They say dont attempt cry it out until after 3 months and I'm not interested in that right now, but if she's inconsolable...isnt she basically "crying it out"? Do I hold her while she screams for hours, replace her paci 284947 times, etc or let her cry for at least a few minutes alone?

I'm very concerned because we lost her crib mattress during our move, and it had to be special ordered. She's been sleeping with us the past couple weeks, and I usually don't sleep until her dad gets home at 5:30 am. Between worrying about me rolling on her/her falling out of bed, her nighttime feedings and her randomly deciding to be up because she sees Mommy...no sleep for me.

So I'm definitely looking forward to her getting back into her own bed, but with this new crying thing....I'm pretty sure its going to be a all-night screamfest every night

[Familycare71]

My second son was very fussy- until I learned he wanted to be left alone! Because she is so you could you safely put a receiving blanket on the floor and let her sleep there? Maybe she is over stimulated. A dark room, with some kind of white noise might help. Try it swaddled and unswaddled.
I would do the above and let her cry for a bit. She may be able to sooth herself-
Worth a shot!!
Also have you tried massaging her tummy if you think it's gas? I've had it work really well on babies I have cared for.
:hug: good luck!

[Laurel]

I hate to even put this because it is not what is done nowadays but she could be hungry. We used to give rice cereal to babies at about that age back in the 'olden' days. I found a link with a thread that shows various opinions on this but many do it at the age your baby is and say it works. One even said their doctor recommended it. So check it out at least. I would give it a try.

http://www.babycenter.com/400_what-age-can-i-give-rice-cereal-to-my-baby_2990622_677.bc

I know it is not popular to put the cereal right in the bottle but I used to do it with mine all the time. It dissolves into the formula. Mine had zero trouble using a spoon when I felt it was time. To those who say it will be harder to get them to use a spoon I say baloney, .

Sorry you are going through this. My daughter had a colicky baby and she lived out of town at the time so I couldn't help her. If cereal doesn't work then it doesn't and go onto the next thing but I'd give it a try personally.

Laurel

P.S. Read the whole first page of replies. Many say they gave the cereal to their 7 week old baby or even younger. Doctors used to tell us to way back when.....

[Cradle2crayons]

I hate to even put this because it is not what is done nowadays but she could be hungry. We used to give rice cereal to babies at about that age back in the 'olden' days. I found a link with a thread that shows various opinions on this but many do it at the age your baby is and say it works. One even said their doctor recommended it. So check it out at least. I would give it a try.

http://www.babycenter.com/400_what-age-can-i-give-rice-cereal-to-my-baby_2990622_677.bc

I know it is not popular to put the cereal right in the bottle but I used to do it with mine all the time. It dissolves into the formula. Mine had zero trouble using a spoon when I felt it was time. To those who say it will be harder to get them to use a spoon I say baloney, .

Sorry you are going through this. My daughter had a colicky baby and she lived out of town at the time so I couldn't help her. If cereal doesn't work then it doesn't and go onto the next thing but I'd give it a try personally.

Laurel

P.S. Read the whole first page of replies. Many say they gave the cereal to their 7 week old baby or even younger. Doctors used to tell us to way back when.....

My daughter was on rice cereal at three days old. Due to reflux. And we aren't talking a teaspoon in a bottle. We are talking oatmeal consistency. It was the only way formula would stay down.

My little preemie dcb has reflux. Not enough for Zantac but he gets rice cereal in his bottle and they changed his formula. Solved his problem by the end of the first day. And he had EXACTLY the same symptoms you are describing.


There are probably a few things causing this crying, and it may be more than one.

(1) undiagnosed reflux. Most preemies have reflux. Some symptoms are colic like symptoms or constant crying. Also wanting to eat before its time. Some babies with reflux don't spit up at all. The gas drops OTC helped both of my kids a bunch. Also gripe water OTC helped also.

(2) overstimulation: as others suggested but to me, that doesn't seem to be a major factor although it could be contributing

(3) formula. It could be this AND reflux. It could just be the formula

[Laurel]

My daughter was on rice cereal at three days old. Due to reflux. And we aren't talking a teaspoon in a bottle. We are talking oatmeal consistency. It was the only way formula would stay down.

My little preemie dcb has reflux. Not enough for Zantac but he gets rice cereal in his bottle and they changed his formula. Solved his problem by the end of the first day. And he had EXACTLY the same symptoms you are describing.


There are probably a few things causing this crying, and it may be more than one.

(1) undiagnosed reflux. Most preemies have reflux. Some symptoms are colic like symptoms or constant crying. Also wanting to eat before its time. Some babies with reflux don't spit up at all. The gas drops OTC helped both of my kids a bunch. Also gripe water OTC helped also.

(2) overstimulation: as others suggested but to me, that doesn't seem to be a major factor although it could be contributing

(3) formula. It could be this AND reflux. It could just be the formula

Absolutely! I'm glad you brought up the gas drops because they are beyond wonderful. I've never had a baby that was gassy not respond to them. Plus they are over the counter.

[Hunni Bee]

My daughter was on rice cereal at three days old. Due to reflux. And we aren't talking a teaspoon in a bottle. We are talking oatmeal consistency. It was the only way formula would stay down.

My little preemie dcb has reflux. Not enough for Zantac but he gets rice cereal in his bottle and they changed his formula. Solved his problem by the end of the first day. And he had EXACTLY the same symptoms you are describing.


There are probably a few things causing this crying, and it may be more than one.

(1) undiagnosed reflux. Most preemies have reflux. Some symptoms are colic like symptoms or constant crying. Also wanting to eat before its time. Some babies with reflux don't spit up at all. The gas drops OTC helped both of my kids a bunch. Also gripe water OTC helped also.

(2) overstimulation: as others suggested but to me, that doesn't seem to be a major factor although it could be contributing

(3) formula. It could be this AND reflux. It could just be the formula

Now that I watch her, I believe that she has reflux as well as the milk sensitivity. I was trying to hold off on that, because I read that the American Association of Pediatrics says that while 25% of babies are treated for reflux, only 2% actually have it. Plus I didn't want to go "diagnosing" her with this and that on my own.

But I see her make a hiccup nose but nothing will come up, then shell make a face and swallow. Now as a person with severe acid reflux, I know that sequence all too well.

She rarely actually spits up, but she does that face and gets the hiccups after every feeding. Plus the stinky gas, blowout diapers and stomach pain.

I did break down and buy a container of rice cereal...just to try. If it doesn't work, I'll put it away for later. I put just maybe a half teaspoon in a three oz bottle...it seemed to make her hungrier! But she's been fairly quiet today.

I've made this a very quiet, boring day...she may have gotten over stimulated yesterday. We went to the store for a bit, and she usually sleeps through outings as I place a blanket over her carrier, but she kept pulling it down, so I let her look around. It may have been to much because her eyes were like this for hours afterward. But she does that alot so I didn't think too much of it...

[cheerfuldom]

if all you are doing is holding her while she cries, you ARE doing something. you are there and comforting as best as possible and she is not alone to struggle through this by herself. if you need a break, yes put her down and walk away but please, dont feel like because she is crying that your presence is doing nothing.

my daughter was horribly colicky and high needs, easily over stimulated and here is what worked for us (outside of exploring the feeding issue)

turn the dryer on and put her in a basket that is placed on top of the dryer. It was dark and warm in there in the laundry room with lots of white noise and vibration. If you have a moses basket, that would be great but my daughter napped in a laundry basket and this was how I got breaks. I checked on her often and never used this once she was trying to roll. my mom did this with her and it was the only thing that worked so yeah, i kept doing it for as long as I could as long as it was safe.

lots of skin to skin and babywearing.

turn off the TV and other stimulating things, bright lights, etc.

swaddling if you aren't doing skin to skin

swing turned on high. the low swinging did nothing for my daughter but the big swooping fast swinging worked.

place a receiving blanket in the dryer to warm it (NOT hot) and then wrap around the belly. helped my daughter with gas and belly pains

long stroller rides (and exercise for you! bonus!)

[Cradle2crayons]

Now that I watch her, I believe that she has reflux as well as the milk sensitivity. I was trying to hold off on that, because I read that the American Association of Pediatrics says that while 25% of babies are treated for reflux, only 2% actually have it. Plus I didn't want to go "diagnosing" her with this and that on my own.

But I see her make a hiccup nose but nothing will come up, then shell make a face and swallow. Now as a person with severe acid reflux, I know that sequence all too well.

She rarely actually spits up, but she does that face and gets the hiccups after every feeding. Plus the stinky gas, blowout diapers and stomach pain.

I did break down and buy a container of rice cereal...just to try. If it doesn't work, I'll put it away for later. I put just maybe a half teaspoon in a three oz bottle...it seemed to make her hungrier! But she's been fairly quiet today.

I've made this a very quiet, boring day...she may have gotten over stimulated yesterday. We went to the store for a bit, and she usually sleeps through outings as I place a blanket over her carrier, but she kept pulling it down, so I let her look around. It may have been to much because her eyes were like this for hours afterward. But she does that alot so I didn't think too much of it...

Yes, hiccups are another big sign of reflux. That's because, as y know, the diaphragm gets irritated from the reflux.

The recommended starting point for rice cereal is a teaspoon per ounce. We started there with daughter and while that amount works great for dcb, for my daughter we ended up pouring rice cereal up to the 2 oz. mark on the bottle, then adding four ounces of formula. YIKES!! But it worked.

For dcb, the rice cereal firmed up and perfectly slowed down his poo, the gas was eliminated completely, as was the hiccups, crying, etc. all we did was switch to similac sensitive, add rice cereal and gas drops. WHALAH. The happiest thing you ever saw!! He's laughing and smiling ALL the time now. He makes it at least three ounces between feedings, he's gaining well and just plain awesome. He's also cooing and developmentally perfectly on track and well ahead of his preemie adjusted age.

With permission from his mother..........let me add a file and you can see what HE thinks of his formula and rice cereal

[Cradle2crayons]

I'd say he's pretty happy??

[MyAngels]

I hate to even put this because it is not what is done nowadays but she could be hungry. We used to give rice cereal to babies at about that age back in the 'olden' days. I found a link with a thread that shows various opinions on this but many do it at the age your baby is and say it works. One even said their doctor recommended it. So check it out at least. I would give it a try.

I think we may be coming full circle on the whole "cereal in the bottle" thing. My last three infants, including my granddaughter, have done it on their doctor's advice. They were all fairly young when they started it. Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[crunchymama]

Skin to skin! Strip baby down to her diaper and hold her against your bare chest, then put a blanet over you both. A carrier, like a sleepywrap would be something to look into also.

[Hunni Bee]

I'd say he's pretty happy??

Aww he's a chunkster...my little one is still so small, only about 7 pounds. I'm still having trouble buying her clothes. People have given me such lovely things for her to wear but she can't fit any of them yet. She fits the weight requirements for newborn, but she's still too slim and short for most stuff. 0-3 months is a joke, I can fit two of her in it.

So I'm hoping she bulks up a little soon.

[Cradle2crayons]

Aww he's a chunkster...my little one is still so small, only about 7 pounds. I'm still having trouble buying her clothes. People have given me such lovely things for her to wear but she can't fit any of them yet. She fits the weight requirements for newborn, but she's still too slim and short for most stuff. 0-3 months is a joke, I can fit two of her in it.

So I'm hoping she bulks up a little soon.

I think the rice cereal helped CJ gain weight. As it did with my two kids as well. Lots of calories in rice cereal. He's over 10 lbs now.

[Laurel]

I think we may be coming full circle on the whole "cereal in the bottle" thing. My last three infants, including my granddaughter, have done it on their doctor's advice. They were all fairly young when they started it. Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Yea! I thought I might get yelled at. ::

Laurel

[Laurel]

Aww he's a chunkster...my little one is still so small, only about 7 pounds. I'm still having trouble buying her clothes. People have given me such lovely things for her to wear but she can't fit any of them yet. She fits the weight requirements for newborn, but she's still too slim and short for most stuff. 0-3 months is a joke, I can fit two of her in it.

So I'm hoping she bulks up a little soon.

This might sound weird but could you buy clothes made for larger dolls? Maybe some of the jammies would work? I've never had a baby that small but I've had some pretty big dolls.

Laurel