SOS - Hysterically crying 1 month-old - PLEASE!

[Snowi]

Hi mummies. please help!!! From day 1 ds hated nappy changes & would cry & scream each & everytime, this turned into serious crying where he even held his breath at which point I would panic & pick him up, calm him down then carry on. He stopped this at 2 weeks but still does it when it's time to get dressed after a bath. When he holds his breath, I pick him up &calm him down because I can't bear to see him holding his breath. Today, he is crying & holding his breath for every reason!! Nappy change, when I put him down for his nap, even in the car seat which he usually loves & falls fast asleep in!! AND if i take a little too long to stick my breat in his mouth!!! Is it bad when they hold their breath? Does he know at this age that if he does it I'll cuddle him & calm him down?? I'm at the end of my tether & am having visions of taking him to the supermarket & leaving him there!!

[CorrieDale]

Well, it can't be fun to watch, but he won't do himself any physical harm by holding his breath. Personally, I'd go with it. He's very very young - too young to manipulate you, or test you. He's still learning to trust that mummy will be there and will do her best to make things better for him. If feeding him works, then go for it.

Have you thought about using a sling? Not a babybjorn, but a proper ring sling or wrap? That way, he'd always be close to you (unless he's in the car of course!) and will learn more quickly that you are there for him.

[Piffle]

snowi it is perfectly normal honestly and does stop
My ds (my 3rd child) screamed his little tits off whenever nappy changed or undressed and athing well I simply did not bother as it distressed him, now he is 12 wks he is fine
I did pick him up midway through changes to reassure him, I also found holding his hands firmly.swaddling type thing during changes helped - he will not stop himself from breathing, if he does you can very gently blow on his face this can force them to gulp a breath, but does not help the hysteria I'm afraid.

Crying is horrible to hear but it is their only way of communicating, I would recommend the Coorie sling

[Mumpbump]

Agree with what the others have said. Babies also go through a growth spurt at 4-5 weeks when they feed all the time and can be very unsettled. That might be contributing to his mood today...

[Snowi]

Thanx for the support ladies, Just had a good cry myself. can't wait for DH to get home & take over.

[BefnalNorkSnorkel]

snowi are you eating enough? i've found if i don't eat regularly & richly it deffo affects me 6 wk old. apparently your milk gets less rich during the day but you can boost it. good luck, really feel for you! also r u sure its not wind - if hes not winded and you lay him down the pain could make him yell - look for bluishness around mouth. they then feed more to comfort from the pain... more on this on may post natal thread
xx

[ska]

oh i remember this! They do seem to cry alot at this age and I was so scared that she would stop breathing but she didn't. I agree a sling really helped me

[harpsichordcuddler]

oh snowi that sounds miserable.
but very normal.
have you tried baby massage? that can be very soothing for everyone. or if he doesn't like coming out of the bath, then stop bathing him for a while, just top and tail?
don't worry about the breath holding, it isn't harmful.
he doesn't "know" you will pick him up - he is just expressing his needs, so don't worry about spoiling him or whatever. the more you respond to him, the better it will get I promise.