Baby won't stop crying!

[kell93]

I'm really struggling, my baby just won't stop crying. I feel like we've tried everything and it's really getting to me now. She's almost 6 weeks old, doesn't nap during the day - sometimes we will get a 2 hour nap late afternoon but not all the time. I feel like we are missing out on lots of experiences that we should be having with her because everytime we go out she spends the entire time crying so I would just rather stay at home.
It's so difficult seeing all of my friends with their little babies out and ab and we just can't do that. Any help or advice would be much appreciated right now!?

Call health visitor or gp as this is not normal. She should be mostly feeding and sleeping at this age. She sounds very overtired, probably just like you.

I think it's a worry that she's not napping. She must be exhausted. I agree with Hellohello2020, call your HV for advice.

Is she feeding okay? Would she nap on you in a sling?

She's still at an age where she just wants to snuggle up with you, are you getting time to do that?

Sorry it's such a stressful time op x

My twins were the same way. It peaked around week 9 and eventually got better around 4 months. My boys had reflux.

I don't have any advice but you have my sympathies

Do you use a carrier?

Wow that sounds tough.

How is the feeding going? My DS was exactly like this for his first week, I really struggled to breastfeed him and switched to expressing and bottle feeding and he was the most content baby you could imagine from then on. Absolutely support you 100% if you're breastfeeding, but it's just a thought based on my own experiences.

Reflux? My second DS had this bad and was prescribed ranitidine and Gaviscon which helped. You'll know if it's reflux if she's arching her back and red faced particularly after a feed, accompanied by lots of throwing up.

How was your labour/delivery? Second DS has always been quite an angry baby and I have recently taken him to a cranial osteopath which has helped massively. She said often babies who've had a difficult or quick delivery can have a lot of tension through their body and the osteopath uses pressure points in the head to release the pressure. She said DS had a lot of tension in his hips, which would have been causing pain down his spine. Could be a load of old rubbish and there's no medical evidence that it works, but he's definitely been calmer since we went and I just wish I'd taken him as a baby (he's 15 months now, I just always put it down to the reflux). DS's delivery was fairly easy, but it was fast - my waters didn't even break! It might be worth a try?

I felt a bit like you when DS2 was tiny, so other than this advice all I can say is it's rubbish and I really sympathise, but you're doing a fantastic job

Sounds like reflux or colic to me, my DS had colic and he was utterly miserable for the first few weeks of life.

My baby hated the pram because she had reflux so once we started to use a carrier instead things because far easier.

Is the crying during the day only?

When I say during the day only, I mean the excessive crying

Sounds like reflux - think about cow's milk protein allergy (which they can be sensitive to even through yr milk if you're breastfeeding), and if cutting out dairy (and soya - big crossover as the proteins are similar) for at least two weeks makes no difference then consider functional reflux (ie gastro tract just a bit immature, no underlying cause).

Meanwhile, don't even think about trying to settle her flat during the day- get hold of a sling that keeps her really upright and tucked against you (stretchy wraps like Moby are the best for this) - this should help her feel more comfortable.

I'd also advise you to try to get out and about even if she's screaming, even though it can feel impossible - a walk in the sling really calmed mine down when they were refluxy, whereas staying inside trying to settle them just didn't work. It will also be MUCH better for your mental health not to stay at home, I promise!

UnMN hugs - you're not doing anything wrong, and nor is your baby; get working out what's making her uncomfy/unsettled, and keep in mind that the screaming is just her way of communicating that it's not right x

Also, if you do want to get out, please don't worry about the baby crying. Other people won't be bothered, they will just think 'well done for getting out even though you're having a tough time'. You'd never believe the number of people who would say to me 'don't worry, I've been there'.

Wow, this is my first post and wasn't expecting this level of support so thank you all!! @Hellohello2020 Saw the HV yesterday and she didn't seem that bothered when I said she didn't sleep during the day. She's feeding alot still I'm breastfeeding and topping up with a bit of formula, she seems to settle better after the formula. @LatteLover12 She will fall asleep whilst breastfeeding and then when I take her off just starts to cry. I have got a sling but at the moment am finding she gets really hot in it in this weather! @istheresomethingwrongwithme @Noitjustwontdo she is on omeprazol for reflux, she was on Gaviscon but that gave her really bad constipation. She's also had 5 sessions of cranial osteopathy, she won't go down on her back still but will sleep on her side (i know its against the 'rules' but its the only way). @RegalRags yes only crying really during the day, she has been going to sleep for 4/5 hour spells at night (apart from last night). @JeanMichelBisquiat the midwife did mention milk allergy when she had her tongue tie cut but the GP completely dismissed this and said he didn't think it was a problem.

Once again thank you all for your suggestions

My baby didn't nap during the day either. And cried, so strongly, a lot. Following a feed, nappy change, play, sleep pattern, I used to put him in the pram to try to sleep and go for a walk. He'd cry for a bit and then do 20-minutes nap, and wake up much more cheerful. Took a while to establish that. We also worked out that he didn't find cuddles comforting and preferred to be on the move, held facing outwards. The crying gets better! For us, from about 6 weeks it kept improving. Hope that helps.

iconcope.org/parentsadvice/

It can be normal and 6 weeks is the start of the peak.

also the hanging out with friends thing has been totally alienating from the start. All the other mums used to sit with their babies, having cuddles, being entertained by one boring toy, able to go to a cafe and have a cup of tea, have a conversation, and not worry. And we were having to run an all consuming constant movement and toy circus to keep ours entertained. It got much better but feeling like the odd one out was very tough.

@kell93 GPs are notoriously crap on non IgE allergies. I have friends who were palmed off for months or even years before a diagnosis of their child. I'm not saying it's definitely that, but don't be fobbed off by the GP if you think it might be. It's early days at six weeks, but there are NICE guidelines on food allergy in children and young people - might be worth having a read through and arming yourself with them if you want to go back to the GP. One of the points made is that CMPA should be considered where anti-reflux meds fail to work (IIRC) - worth noting. I'd see a different GP.

If you are exclusively breastfeeding, I'd suggest cutting out all dairy and soya for a couple of weeks yourself - if that makes a difference, you have an answer. If you're using formula, you'll need GP input.

Of course, it may be none of this and just a tricky time getting used to the world, bless her, but that level of crying might well fit with food allergy discomfort.

Sorry - the point re anti-reflux meds was because you said she was already on omeprazole.

GP should be actively considering, in line with NICE guidelines, if meds not helping.

Have you got a swing or something like it?

Ds had terrible reflux and would only nap in his swing which would rock him and have white noise on.

At his worst, we actually had to do it overnight too. Spent a fortune on batteries but it was the only way we got any rest.

This is the one we had. Different design but same type

baby swing

Try some warm cooled boiled water in a bottle (my MIL also suggested half a teaspoon of sugar - which I did do but probably isn’t recommended) - This really helped my over hot ds who was exclusively breast fed to settle in the summer.

Also try a V shape pillow and when baby falls asleep try shifting it against a sofa pillow so they are secure and obviously unable to get smothered. It allowed me to sneak away for an hour when I was struggling with crying and no naps.

Neither ideas are on the recommended list of course!

I also put mine to sleep on their tummies as they settled so much better. All these were done out of desperation after following guidelines!

I had this with DD1 screamed all the time for hours on end. It was absolutely horrendous!
My in laws used to come round with us every night from about 6-10 because myself and DH were at the end of our tether with her and we're exhausted.
She was diagnosed with cows milk protein allergy at about 9 weeks after numerous visits to the GP. Eventually one of the GPs took pity on me and asked me to take her to the children's hospital as she was losing weight every week and the other symptoms had started.
When the hospital diagnosed it and she was prescribed Neocate and ranitidine it was like I had a different baby!
Hang in there OP I know how difficult it is!