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Is it normal for a newborn to have bouts of hysterical crying?

12 replies

BrassHorses · 28/01/2019 11:20

Our DS in 9 days old and usually wakes for a feed and change and is unsettled and cries and bit and then we soothe him and he goes back down (for varying times!) yesterday evening he had two bouts of absolutely hysterical screaming crying which we couldn't settle for ages and ages, nothing would calm him. In the end we were going to drive him to a and e but he calmed in the car seat and then went to sleep. He didn't have a temperature and wasn't sick etc. The hysterical crying probably lasted 20 minutes at a time but he seemed in pain. It was very distressing to see him like that. Overnight when he woke for a feed (bottle fed) he was fine and settled easily again. Just wondering if this is normal?

OP posts:
gentlyscented · 28/01/2019 11:24

Sounds like trapped wind or colic, are you bring up all of he's wind? If you don't it becomes trapped and is very painful for babies

Bobfossil2 · 28/01/2019 11:27

As gentlyscented said, could be wind. Does he bring his knees up to his chest when he’s crying?
I am only a few months ahead of you but if you read the nhs website page on colic it might answer some concerns. Don’t be afraid to speak to your HV- I have asked mine so many ‘stupid’ questions!

steppemum · 28/01/2019 11:28

it is not usual, but also not really unusual!

What I mean is, I think a lot of us have experienced it, and sometimes it is a matter of working out what YOUR child needs. But if you can't work that out and it continues, it may be a sign of something.

Possible causes - reflux, milk intolerance, wind, overtiredness.

So, I would try feeding him slightly more upright (I never fed babies lying flat) winding him well in the middle and at the end of the feed, trying him with a dummy, if that helps him to comfort suck.

When trying to settle him, try gentle rhythmic movements, eg patting his back. try different positions, over your shoulder, face down on your arm etc.

When he is crying stay with him and keep making soothing noises and movements.

Have a think about when this was in relation to food, so was he hungry, or had he just fed. If he is pulled legs up to chest, then it is porbably his tummy, either wind or discomfort of some sort. try gentle massage circles on his tummy too.

If it keeps repeating, film it, and then go to GP and show them the film.

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SpoonBlender · 28/01/2019 11:32

Yes, totally normal. Poor little mites have no other communication path than screaming when something's uncomfortable - and it's usually guts. In a few months it'll be teeth as well.

Horrible, isn't it? You feel so helpless.

Pyotrkrolik · 28/01/2019 12:01

It’s so frightening and you feel so helpless when they are inconsolable. I can’t do links but take a look on you tube at ‘how to calm a crying baby’ by Dr Robert Hamilton. I tried the position he shows with DGD when she was tiny and amazingly it worked! Worth a go.

BrassHorses · 28/01/2019 12:19

Thanks everyone for the replies the problem is I just cry too when I see his little face in so much pain it's horrific. I will try the tummy massage and apart from that, winding and soothing is it a case of comforting them until it passes?

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Lottiebugz22 · 28/01/2019 12:25

It's normal. Mines 6 weeks old and still does this every night and it can last up to 3 hours. I've figured out that she gets easily over stimulated so we put her to bed at 7pm in a quiet room with just some white noise and she's allot better.

BrassHorses · 28/01/2019 12:32

@Lottiebugz22 OK thank you I'll try this. I have a free app for white noise called Sleep Sounder so will use that, we also have Euan the Dream Sheep which he seems to like but it only stays on for a short period of time.

OP posts:
SpaceDinosaur · 28/01/2019 12:43

Strip him off down to a nappy and pop him down your top for skin to skin. Even though you're not feeding him, the affect of your warm skin on his is REALLY calming for them.

Are you feeding responsively or on a schedule?

Yearofthemum · 28/01/2019 12:50

I would guess over stimulated and exhausted.

BrassHorses · 28/01/2019 15:14

What's the best way to calm an overstimulated baby?

OP posts:
Lampshadylady · 28/01/2019 15:35

Don’t start crying too - that would really freak a baby out. They’re looking to you for reassurance

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