Bottle fed baby won't settle for Dad

[SalGlen84]

Just wondering whether anyone out there has some advice.
My baby is 4 weeks old and since being 2 weeks has been a bit colicky, due to this has been a bit unsettled in the evening.
Now her Dad has gone to work when he comes home it is just about the time that she has her evening bottle and after this is unsettled.
Nothin he can do will settle her back down, she screams & screams. The minute he gives her back to me she calms down.
My baby is formula fed so it's not a breast feeding issue.
Just wondered whether any one else had experienced this & what you did to help?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Does he have her at any other time?

[SalGlen84]

No. He was off for 3 weeks with us and she was fine with him. Seems to be since he's gone back to work-coz it's only been a short time I'm always there when he comes home. A good example is when we're trying to eat our tea she starts screaming and nothing he can do will make her stop. It is frustrating not only for him but for me, after a day on my own it would be nice if I could have a little break, feel like I can go and have a bath or something without her screaming her way through it!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Could he do something else whilst you have a bath? Maybe take her out for a walk?

[skankingpiglet]

I think I would leave them to it tbh, they both need to find their ease with each other. She might be crying a bit at first (and I know it's physically painful to listen to), but you know she's fed, dry, warm, and being comforted by her parent. You really don't want a situation where it all comes down on you, either because DD becomes so used to that being the way it is or your OH refusing to help because he's got 'the fear' he can't. I think it's essential for your MH to get a small break from them (including being 'on call') everyday, even if that break is hanging out the washing or cooking dinner. It'd probably be best to make yourself very scarce if you feel you can try it however. Babies seem to have a sixth sense that Mum is still close, but settle much better with someone else when they know you aren't just around the corner - the perfect excuse to treat yourself to that bath with a shut door
As for why things have changed now, the first few weeks of a baby's life they are so sleepy they are happy with anyone. Then they wake up... We were amazed at how chilled out and relaxed our DD was about being handed around the family for the first couple of weeks. Then she woke up enough to realise what was happening and wasn't shy in showing her displeasure!