5 wk old suddenly started crying for no reason - advice?

[pbo]

Up until a couple of days ago my dd was feeding every 4 hours pretty much and cried when she was wet/hot/hungry. Wednesday night she cried all night long and wouldn't settle for more than about 10 mins before crying again. I was up all night trying to comfort her but nothing seemed to work. Yesterday carried on the same way, she'd have a jolly kick after a nappy change but then start to cry and scream when I picked her up but keep screaming when I put her back down. She'd fall asleep in my arms but scream when I put her in her cot. This carried on all night - I ended up co-sleeping which worked reasonably well but she was still unsettled. Today she's been the same: crying if you put her down and only sleeping if she's being held. Her skin feels clammy but she's still feeding well but seems to accept it a lot more often than before - any ideas or am I worrying for nothing? She seems to be in pain but I can't work out what or why...

[suiledonn]

Hi pbo, congratulations on your dd. I have a 7 week old dd and we have gone through something similar. Until she was around 5 weeks she was very quiet and settled but then one night around 9pm she started crying inconsolably. She would stop for short feeds or fall asleep briefly but would wake up crying. It took me hours to settle her that night but when she finally settled she was ok, and was fine all the next day til the same time that night. Now it seems that she has about 3 nights of that, then fine for 1 or 2 nights and then off again. We went for a routine check up today and I talked to the nurse about it and she said it sounded normal as she doesn't have any other symptoms - just the usual wind/colic explanation they give when there is no evidence of anything else. Was reassured she would 'grow out of it'
Does your dd seem to have wind? Have you tried any of the remedies? I tried Infacol which didn't help at all and now trying Dentinox which dd hates.

[pbo]

I forgot to mention that if I lie her on her back, even if she's asleep, she instantly screams in what seems like pain - it's not a sound we're used to- and the only position she'll sleep in is upright leaning on my shoulder.

[pbo]

I thought she had wind but Infacol and gripe water haven't done anything. She hasn't settled all day either - she's been in the baby carrier all day apart from screaming nappy changes and feeds. It's the cold sweaty skin that bothers me - but she is eating and weeing/pooing...

[believer07]

It sounds like wind, she sleeps on your shoulder and the warmth from you soothes her tummy, is she pullin her legs to her chest? if she is its wind.

see suiledone for tips.

Are you BFing.... look at your diet, anything that makes you windy will make her windy, avoid grapes, beans, citric fruits. Try giving her a warm bath and rubbing her tummy. You could aslo drink peppermint tea as it would go through the milk to her.

It will stop, but if it is colic it will go on for a few weeks yet.

[suiledonn]

I know the sound you mean - it is heart rending. The first night dd did it I took off all her clothes to examine her to see if she was hurt in any way. That's why I think it might be wind - it really is a horrible pain. She might find the heat/pressure on her tummy comforting so that is why she would be happier leaning against you. Also newbirns find a lot of comfort in their mother's heartbeat and smell.
Is this your first baby? I have a 2.5 year old dd and still feel so inexperienced when dealing with things like this.

[believer07]

I would see GP.

[smugmumofboys]

Sounds like colic. If it is, you could try cranial osteopathy. It worked like a dream for DS1 whose screams made my ears ring.

[suiledonn]

Sorry. Cross posts there.

I would check out the clammy skin thing? If she is crying and in a bit of pain this could cause her to sweat although I would still check it with someone. Have you taken her temperature?
Is the house very warm? Not an issue we have to deal with here - our place is like a fridge.

[pbo]

We stupidly don't have a thermometer Our house isn't incredibly warm. It's the clammy skin that's bothering me a bit. It's my first child and I don't have a clue! Why do things like this always happen on weekends?!

[Jacksmama]

Our midwife warned us that inconsolable crying can start around 5-6 weeks, for no discernible reason. If hungry, wet, stinky, chilly or pain has been ruled out, then it's proably just that crying phase. for you, it's hard to deal with.

[suiledonn]

Hi pbo, how was your dd last night? Is she any better? It is handy to have a thermometer around just in case. I got one of those ear ones for children that takes the temp quickly cos last time I just had a digital one that took ages and could never get dd to stay still long enough to do it.

[pbo]

I had her in bed with me last night so actually 4 hours sleep in one go - hooray!! She's slept all morning too (I've been running around sorting the house out at last) but she still wakes up every 20 mins or so and cries, so far she's gone back to sleep in under a minute though so a big improvement on yesterday!

[suiledonn]

Glad to hear things are a bit better. A few hours sleep makes a lot of difference. I take dd2 into bed with me to feed her in the night and usually end up keeping her in with me. We both get more sleep that way.

[Jacksmama]

Great to hear she's doing better but at you running around the house sorting things out - won't all that wait so that you can have a lie-down while she naps?
[hypocrite emoticon because I did the same thing] but really paid for it with dangerously slow healing
[feel free to learn from my mistake emoticon ]