Is there something wrong with my 9 week old?

[Neero]

Or AIB ridiculous?

For the first 6 weeks of his life he was the most contented baby. Moaned when he needed something but that was it. Now (he's nearly 9 weeks and still very little) he just seems to cry as long as he is awake. He spends about 30 minutes in the morning being happy. That's it. Then unless he's asleep he seems to be grumpy, screaming, in pain. He doesn't do the typical colic thing though where he arches his legs or is sick, or gets reflux (as far as I can tell). He's just utterly miserable...

Why am I so worried that there's something major wrong with him? Normal new mum worries?

How much are you feeding him? I took the view, if it grumbles stick milk in it.

I found this with my second dd.
1st dd was a happy baby, 2nd dd was miserable so thought something was seriously wrong.
Is he feeding OK?
Going for poos ok? Dd2 suffered from constipation, laxalux made it a bit better.
If you are worried no harm in ringing health visitor and seeing what they suggest.

@eurochick he feeds a lot but for very short periods as he gets fussy and upset after 5/6 minutes

@pinkiepie1 his poos are hit and miss. Sometimes 2 in a day, sometimes none.

I think I just worry too much

Is he having regular naps/ Is his routine starting to take place?

How much is he sleeping? DS had a very limited happy window at that age and once he fussed it meant he was tired and I got him to sleep. Rinse and repeat 1000 x a day practically but it meant several happy windows and an otherwise sleeping baby!

Have you tried anything for colic? Also have you tried a bigger teat? How long does it take him to drink?

I remember taking my then 7 week old to their GP check and describing them as miserable to the GP. They just seemed so unhappy all the time.

The GP asked us to go back in a couple of weeks, which we did, and thankfully the baby had perked up a bit. Was making more eye contact and starting to smile.

I really remember the worry at that time, thinking there was something wrong. There wasn't, they were just being a cranky baby and gradually grew out of it.

DS is a very happy little thing now at 6mo.

Sorry, unless your breastfeeding last question doesn't count

Routine? he has none!

Are you breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or combination?

It could be silent reflux - no vomiting but there are still in pain. They feed for comfort but as it comes back up it hurts, so it's a vicious cycle.

@Louiselouie0890 we tried gaviscon which seemed to work. He's EBF :)

if it grumbles stick milk in it.

This is my approach with DD! She is twelve weeks and is still sleeping after 1-1.5 hours awake, she starts getting a bit glazed eyed ans grumbly after about an hour of interaction and play, then feeds to sleep. He is sleeping enough and not getting over stimulated?

Could he have tongue-tie?

Check for tongue tie and check again! Snacky feeding like that suggests either TT or silent reflux /reflux my baby had/has both

I don't think it is tongue tie as he has a habit of sticking his tongue right out!

More sleep.... as they get more aware of their surrounds, they also get overstimulated by it. Sometimes my little baby would only be awake 30mins before being ready to go back to sleep - a feed a change and maybe a cuddle. They get overstimulated very easily. Try a quiet room, swaddle (if they like that), patting after a feed and change, see if they will sleep more. Soon they won't be so sleepy (eyes teenager).

I don't think it is tongue tie as he has a habit of sticking his tongue right out!

He could still have tongue tie and be able to stick out his tongue.

You could try putting him in a sling and carrying him around and go out and about. Or sling plus housework/domestic stuff. If he happily sleeps like a log all day, he was just tired or just fussy. He might fuss at first but give it 10-15 minutes.

Given that he's EBF I think it's likely to be tongue tie or possibly another feeding issue. Unfortunately given that it's nearly Christmas there probably isn't anything for a while, but I would usually recommend going to a breastfeeding clinic or drop-in for a proper tongue tie assessment (by someone trained to do it). If you can afford it I suggest seeing a lactation consultant.

Helpful info on tongue tie symptoms and assessment here
www.tongue-tie.org.uk/Mobile/m-tongue-tie-information.html

It's early but any chance he could be teething? Mine started being miserable about this time (or a little earlier) and I thought he could be teething. Asked the health visitor and was told not to be so silly as babies didn't teeth that young. Took him back the next week to show her his TWO cut teeth!

I clearly recall it being that early because he was too young for bonjela and the like.

He didn't show a lot of the usual signs either like drooling etc. His face got red just before the tooth cut through.

I had this with my lb and it was wind. Try feeding in the koala position if he can manage it and shit loads of tummy time. Massage classes were a godsend too x

My top guess is overtiredness, babies often become more aware of their surroundings around the 6 week mark and find it harder to "switch off". Try swaddling, white noise and reducing sensory input plus making sure baby is not awake for more than 90 minutes max. It could also be wind - make sure you wind thoroughly and try the tiger in the tree position. A soft sling can be very soothing for both issues.

Infacol worked for mine before each feed - do they still make it?

Silent reflux? If the gaviscon helped it could be that. Ranitidine could help too?