(Nearly) 12 week old baby keeps crying ALL day

[user666555]

Hello,

My CMPA baby has been crying ALL day today. She has a mini 30 minute nap and wakes up hysterical. I suspect she's quite tired because she's only getting 30 minute naps (for some reason she keeps waking up) as she's showing all the tired cues such as rubbing her face, yawning, zoning out etc.

I've given her Infacol, given her a massage, a bath, done bicycles with her. What else can I do? She just won't nap properly and I believe that's what's making her cranky but there's something stopping her from napping and I can't work out what it is?

Have you tried going for a walk in a pram. I found my little one would cry for the first 5 mins but then conk out and I'd leave him asleep in the pram. Fresh air might just be what they need to help.

Firstly big hug. It’s so hard. Are you on dairy free formula or EBF and dairy free? The only things that kept me sane were Oreos as dairy free and a soft sling and walking miles. Sorry. Have you got someone to give you a nap and lots of easy food?

@18Manorclose she's FF with the Aptamil Pepti 1. She keeps passing a lot of wind today and crying a lot.

As for the walk, no I haven't tried that yet. Will have to give it a try. To make matters worse (sorry if TMI but this is Mumsnet after all 😂) I've just come on my first proper period since having her and it's KILLING. It's so painful. I feel like curling into a ball myself. Not got much support in terms of family and DP is helping today but means he isn't able to work (he's self employed) so financially it'll probably have an impact but even with him she's just constantly crying and won't really nap properly.

Have you got a sling? If it’s silent reflux bothering her they’re often happier if upright rather than lying down.

My DS (now 10) was like this! Have you tried wearing her in a sling around the house? I was clueless and eventually a midwife suggested it and he called down remarkably in a few days. I bought one of those Baby Bjorn slings (or look for something you can easily clip them into), as we had a wrap originally which was useless for a hysterical baby!

Good luck x

I had a cmpa reflux baby. He lived in his carrier basically for the first year. Didn't stop him vomiting, but kept him a bit happier. Good luck. Get some swimming/flying earplugs if need be - you'll still hear the crying, but it takes the edge off the pitch that makes you feel like sticking your fingers into your brain via your eyeballs.

maybe ask for a trial of neocate too?

Sending hugs, it’s so hard. Both of mine have had CMPA and it is tough. Both awful at napping too which then made them even more miserable.
things that helped us: sling or contact naps, or car if needed. Anything to get a decent nap in, neither would tolerate the pram as couldn’t lie flat due to reflux but would do much better in the car seat.
Also experimenting with wake windows and seeing if earlier or later helped extend the nap.
Also does she have any other symptoms of CMPA still apart from being unsettled, just wondering if it’s worth trialing an amino acid or Ila like Neocate as someone mentioned above.

Another vote for either an inwards facing baby carrier or a sling. DD2 lived in the carrier pretty much all day for the first few months, absolutely would not be put down to sleep... If you find a good bf top/jumper you can also feed them whilst they're in the sling without anyone seeing anything.