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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think im cracking up

38 replies

stdorothymantooth · 28/03/2011 16:49

Sorry I know this isn't the place to put this but not sure where else to go and need some advice. I have a 9 week old baby who has had colic from about a week and a half old, I have tried everything, and nothing works the screaming continues. Lately I have found when he's crying I can't cope with the noise and I just burst into tears, my husband helps out as much as he can but as soon as he starts crying I just start crying. Most days I can pretty much hold it together but today had a bit of a bad day (not baby related just general rubbish day) and I just burst out crying couldn't stop for hours.

When will this colic end????

OP posts:
commanderprimate · 28/03/2011 22:41

We went through this, so I sympathise. The thing we found that worked the best was swaddling the little one, then holding him on his side, clutched close to the body, rocking and shushing him. It's a technique from the "happiest baby on the block" guy, there was a video on the web that we found.

Most of all, remember, it WILL stop eventually.

SlightlyJaded · 28/03/2011 23:03

Oh yes, the shushing thing with the swaddle. We did that too.

Just before booting up the Hoover.

Good combination.

FWIW I don't think infacol or gripe water ever worked for us. Every baby is different of course, but don't be disheartened if they don't work for you. One of these things will.

theoldtrout01876 · 28/03/2011 23:50

My ds2 had colic,was awful,but the doctor gave me something for him that helped,was 17 years ago and in the USA so it probably wouldn't help even if I could remember what it was called.

The reason for my reply though is,when I was pregnant with dc4 I was reading a pamphlet in my doctors office waiting room and it turns out that a lot of babies with colic actually have a systemic yeast infection,it mimics colic but doesn't respond to any of the usual remedies.

With hindsight I suspect that that is what my ds2 had as he had a constant yeast infection nappy rash on his belly

beingsetup · 29/03/2011 07:08

Colief - worked every time

Original poster
stdorothymantooth · 29/03/2011 08:28

Hi, sorry didn't come back sooner he kicked off a little early last night. Have also tried cycling his,legs and swaddling and doctor browns bottles (sorry slipped my kind yesterday. Can't seem to put a coherent thought together)
Because he seemed to be throwing up a lot after feeding the doc thought he might have reflux. The throwing up stopped but the screaming goes on.
I'm glad it may be only a short time left I am really struggling to cope and I feel like I'm cracking up and I know it sounds silly but not really knowing where to go for help (my family live 140 miles away and his family don't really help) and I'm scared to ask health visitor in case they think I can't cope, I know it sounds silly but I cant help it.

OP posts:
tillyfernackerpants · 29/03/2011 09:23

No HV or GP will think you can't cope, they've seen this a thousand times. Please speak to them, even if just to get it all of your chest.

Remember, this too will pass! Smile

washnomore · 29/03/2011 09:28

It's the HV's job to support you, she won't think you can't cope, she'll just think you need help through this tough bit.

Just because the vomiting has stopped, doesn't mean he can't have reflux. Silent reflux is painful and makes them cry lots, but can often be easily treated so make another appointment to see the GP.

This is the worst bit, just hold on and you will come through it. But please talk to your HV, because whatever the reason for the crying it's totally exhausting and unbearably stressful to deal with day in day out and it's expected, normal and ok to feel overwhelmed and desperate. You'd be a weirdo if you didn't.

SlightlyJaded · 29/03/2011 12:17

My DD had silent reflux.

If the constant crying goes on much past 3 months, I would pursue this. Push if you have to.

Everyone told me I was over-reacting and being PFB about DD, but in the end, she was examined by a Paed and blatantly had reflux. Meds cured her almost over night.

Having said all that, vomiting in a newborns is pretty common. As is colic.

Original poster
stdorothymantooth · 29/03/2011 16:15

slightlyjaded spoke to my gp who suggested I try sma staydown as it could be reflux...here's hoping it works, though getting my hopes up again is probably the wrong thing to do

OP posts:
SlightlyJaded · 29/03/2011 17:40

Ok, good that's a start. FWIW the heavier formula (we didn't use the sma one but can't remember which one we did use) does help. I tried only BFing but in the end we switched to this heavier formula for the 10pm feed and it made a difference. You have to wind reflux babies till you get a really good burp - a couple if you can - out of them, swaddle them tightly and let them sleep slightly propped up. There are lots of websites that will point you to the right and safe way to do this with your cot.

And white noise. I've said it once but it was extraordinary how it helped.

The gaviscon didn't work for us, but the domperidrone (sp?) did in combination with something else whose name escapes me but I will remember and post, did.

I am sure there are reflux boards here that might also help.

I promise you. I had the most miserable crying baby. My DH and I didn't get more than 2/3 hours consecutive sleep for weeks and weeks and I was so exhausted I ended up in hospital on a drip Shock. We sorted the colic and reflux and she became a happy little soul, a smiling toddler and is now a fully fledged stroppy madam happy little girl.

This too, will come to you :)

Okonomiyaki · 29/03/2011 18:19

Colic is awful isn't it. White noise was our salvation, hairdryer right next to ds's head at first - it's surprising how loud it needs to be!

Also in the evenings when I felt like I was cracking up my dh used to put him in the sling (we had a Wilkinet I got for a tenner off eBay) and walk around town with him. Then by the time he couldn't take any more I was ready for the next shift Hmm

I think everyone in a 10 mile radius of our house has heard our baby screaming and seen one or the other of us wandering round like lost souls with him strapped on...BUT IT GETS BETTER! He's 5 months now and things have been steadily improving from 12/13 weeks.

schmee · 29/03/2011 18:37

I just this minute watched a babywhisperer programme about reflux which I wished that I'd seen before I had my DTSs. She recommended:

  • don't pat for winding as it brings little bits of acid up through the stomach sphyncter (sps). Instead lay the baby with their arms over your back and their tummy just below your shoulder and gently rub their back
  • get a special wedge mattress that you can loosely strap them into (this might be a bit late in the day for you, but you could try propping up the cot mattress a bit with some books underneath it.
  • swaddling
  • very gentle (not jiggly movements)
  • try to keep the baby always with their head 30 degrees elevated (e.g. in baby chair, in a baby bath support in the bath)
  • get your GP to prescribe infant gaviscon
  • they also showed a special reflux bottle (not Dr Browns) but I'm afraid I didn't catch the name of it.

Hope it helps. Know how awful colic/reflux is, so sending you loads of sympathy.

Conflugenglugen · 29/03/2011 20:41

Providing you have ruled out any complications with your GP ...

Have you tried B. Infantis? It is a probiotic for babies with colic. I used it on my son, who screamed the house down late afternoon and into the night, and within days he stopped.

www.auravita.com/product/Udo-s-Choice-Infant-s-Blend-Probiotics.SADI11010.html

HTH!

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