2 1/2 month old constant screaming when not held - help :(

[Becciilouisex3]

Almost 3 months ago, I gave birth to my beautiful DS who I adore with all my heart. However, he seems to be such an unhappy baby and with him being my first, I'm unsure whether this is just something that is normal for some babies or if it could point to something being wrong.

Basically, I cannot put my DS down and when I say that, I mean I can literally never put him down without him screaming save for when he goes down in his cot and sleeps for the night (which he's doing pretty well, 8 hours solid sleep stretch). When I say screaming, he will literally cry more than he does when he is due for a feed, he screams his head off but as soon as I hold him on my chest, he'll stop. Sometimes he'll sleep and sometimes he'll stay awake but lay quietly or interact with me/his dad.

He smiles at us, takes his feeds well and is having plenty of wet nappies but he just screams bloody murder whenever he's not held. Now don't get me wrong I adore my son and if I could, I'd cuddle him 24/7 but it's to the point I think I may be getting depressed. I can't eat a meal because if DS is down, he's screaming, I can't go to the toilet or sit down for 10 minutes and have a coffee. I can't bring myself to ever leave him crying because, although I know I've done everything I can for him needs wise, he's just too young to allow him to cry it out. It's to the point where, when DP is back from work in the evening, we can barely have one conversation about how our day went let alone have a cuddle and a kiss and then it's time for bed and we're both so tired we go straight to sleep. Many a time we've been convinced there must be a medical issue because of the intensity of his screams he sounds like he's in serious discomfort or pain and we know that a mothers comfort can sometimes be soothing for a poorly infant.

We've been to the doctors multiple times but all we get is "it's colic". I agree he probably has got colic but I was under the impression that even colicky babies were happy some of the time.

I know I must sound a selfish cow but it's just so stressful and so very upsetting to have a little boy who seems so unhappy. I'm exhausted and although everyone keeps telling me to enjoy this time, I'm finding myself wishing the next couple of months away hoping that it is just colic and will disappear after 4 months so that my little boy can be happy! I want nothing more than to watch him playing happily, smiling and laughing more.

Am I being totally ignorant as a first time mum and just missing the point that I have a DS who simply needs his mother a lot or could it point to something being wrong?

[Keeptrudging]

DS had colic. The only way I got through this stage was by putting him in the front carrier so I could at least get stuff done around the house/have my hands free sometimes! It did pass (infacol/circular tummy rubs if I remember rightly)?

[Becciilouisex3]

We've been using infacol and gripe water for about a month and he's definitely burping and trumping a lot more than he was but perhaps there's still some wind trapped in there! Poor DS :(
Sometimes the hairdryer can buy us a little time but it's costing us a fortune in electric! I've tried using apps or YouTube videos but unless it's the real deal, he's not interested :')
I'm considering maybe trying coilef as I've heard good things but it's so expensive!

[Littlelegs19]

Colief is expensive, but surely it's worth trying? Our son had bad colic and infacol and gripe water worked wonders for our DS (now 5weeks old) and he is so much better. Infacol didn't work for us but my friend swore by it and her DD was the same as your son. You can get it on prescription but surely £10 is nothing if it works for you. Hope he feels better soon

[MedicMama]

Sounds normal to me. Babies like to be held. Get a sling and just go with it would be my advice.

[welshweasel]

DS spent much of his first few months in a lovely stretchy wrap. He had reflux and hated lying flat. I cooked, cleaned, did washing, went to the loo, went to the cinema etc all with him in the sling. Showering and driving were the only things I couldn't do! It passes.

[ChanandlerBongsNeighbour]

You can get new stretchy wraps for £10-£15 on eBay, my little one loved being snuggled against me in it! Holds them upright in the same position you would naturally hold them, as far as he's concerned he's getting a lovely cuddle while you have hands free? Just be careful when cooking (in case of splashes etc) but it might help you out a bit?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Both of mine were like this, perfectly normal just google 4th trimester. As others have said, try a sling. There may even be a sling library close to you where you can borrow slings and get advice on using them.. HTH.