16 weeks - crying

[Binglesplodge]

My 16 week DS cries a lot during the day and always has. We're the ones at the baby group walking, bouncing and shushing round the edge of the room while the other babies lie on the blankets playing with toys or quietly falling asleep.

We thought it might be silent reflux but gaviscon and now ranitidine haven't really made much difference (though we are on a really low dose and may try higher just in case).

We waited for the magic 12 weeks that we were promised babies reach and stop crying. No dice. We're now at 16 weeks and his crying is way in excess of other babies of the same age. A friend today was really shocked to see him crying big wet tears as she's never seen her baby do that. Others agreed.

Any stories of hope? Any criers who spontaneously resolved as late in the day as this? He's a beautiful boy with an amazing smile when he's happy but to be honest it's getting hard to feel that I like or enjoy him when I'm constantly trying to battle the wailing. I just want to hear that it can get better.

(I've been recommended to persevere with a dummy as he currently won't take one. I've got 2 mam dummies arriving tomorrow from amazon and will give it my best shot...)

[fatpony]

Sounds tough. Could it be ,overstimulation at these groups? Does he nap well beforehand so he isn't tired when you get there? What tends to trigger the crying? With my 16-17 week old it is teething pain (from what I can tell, hands in gob and loads of dribble) and over tiredness which he tends to reach at about 2-2.5hrs after waking.

[sashNmax]

How well is napping going? And feeding? I totally know how it feels and I was at my wits end with my baby. It turned out he was so hungry and tired because he wasn't getting enough from breastfeeding and therefore too hungry to sleep. So I gave it up all together and put him on formula. After he had got used to it (some people say it's cruel but he's a perfect sleeper because of it) I used to put him in his basket and just sit there whilst he cried. Every few mins I'd stroke his cheek or kiss him to let him know I was there. And eventually he slept and got into a wonderful routine x

[ElleOhElle]

DD screamed everyday til she was 5months. had loads of 'helpful' advice ie. your breast milk isn't enough for her yadda yadda yadda. switched to formula, no change, had various reflux medicines that did nothing.
eventually about 5.5 months she settled down. getting enough naps in helped, she still needs a lot of sleep now or she's miserable.
I hope for your sake that your baby settles soon and try not to get too stressed because there's a light at the end of the tunnel, it will get better. x

[HyperThread]

Sorry you are going through this, it is so tough but it will get easier.

How is baby fed? Does he feed well?