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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Screaming baby - IDEAS NEEDED!?1

39 replies

PineapplePrincess · 29/10/2019 16:08

Baby has been crying since mid day. No matter what I do, he’s crying. Normal cry, but after four hours it’s driving me insane.

I’m loaded with the cold (which baby kindly shared). Sore throat, sniffles and now pounding headache, so I know my tolerance is at record low.

But 4 hours???

I’ve fed him, winded him, changed nappies, change clothes, held and hugged him, ignored him, stimulated him, rotated toys, gave him calpol (in case he’s teething/feeling unwell) and then repeated cycle over. And over.

I took him out for a walk and got a brief respite. But it’s cold out, I feel like shit and we’ve come home again; so queue screaming again.

I want to cry too. But I don’t have the energy. How the hell does he???

OP posts:
NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 29/10/2019 16:11

Try a bath.... that often cheers mine up

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 29/10/2019 16:12

Or if you have a car, a little drive?

QueenofmyPrinces · 29/10/2019 16:13

How old is he??

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 29/10/2019 16:13

How old is baby? I'm not one to overmedicate but could they be teething? Dose of Calpol, or try rubbing some anbesol on gums?

managedmis · 29/10/2019 16:15

How old?

Quartermaster · 29/10/2019 16:15

How old is he? I am no stranger to a crying baby (looking at you, 4 month old DD) but I would take him to the GP to rule out ear infection or other medical issues which might be causing him pain. Otherwise, yes, a bath or a drive in the car or (another) walk in the pushchair to settle? Sorry you’re feeling ill too!

Original poster
PineapplePrincess · 29/10/2019 16:22

He’s 8 months.

Going through the clingy stage, so won’t let me put him down. But then he is not overly enthusiastic about being held either after a few minutes. Wants constantly entertained.

Hubby has car today.

Bath might be an idea, although that’s usually our pre-bedtime trick - so not sure whether that will confuse the heck out of him....

OP posts:
RolyHappyNorrieTagBetty · 29/10/2019 16:23

Breastfeed you're calm him down and comfort? (If you are BFing)

moreismore · 29/10/2019 16:25

Oh this is a very hard stage. I’d go for bath. Next option would be wrap up warm, out a drink in a thermos and push him around in pram.

moreismore · 29/10/2019 16:26

And say/scream ‘this too shall pass’ at yourself in a mirror...

GPatz · 29/10/2019 16:27

How to Calm a Crying Baby. A video on YouTube by a Dr. He shows several holds that worked for my DD.

Original poster
PineapplePrincess · 29/10/2019 16:32

I’ve just eaten a full packet of biscuits in order to make myself feel better. I now feel sick.

He’s still crying.

OP posts:
RoseHippy1 · 29/10/2019 16:35

Tiger in the tree hold ? X

mrsed1987 · 29/10/2019 16:35

I remember having the same when DS was about 4 months. I screamed at the top of my lunch then sat on the door step for a couple of minutes and had a good cry. I felt better then (obviously baby was safe and i could see him through the window)

RoseHippy1 · 29/10/2019 16:37

Show him this video of you don’t mind a small bit of screen action ?

Stops my 6mo crying !

Mentounasc · 29/10/2019 16:47

Oh, I feel sorry for both of you, it's miserable. Assuming he's not actually in pain (and if it were earache he'd probably have turned the screaming up a notch), the chances are he's felt a little grumbly so worked himself up into a right state, and now he's whingy because he's in a right state and exhausted too.
He's fed, clean, dry, warm but not too warm, and you don't think he's in pain. At this stage I would put on noise-cancelling earphones so I could keep on hugging him / reassure him without going barmy. We also found switching on the Hoover great for creating some white noise, which always had a soothing effect.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 29/10/2019 16:49

Have you tried parking him front of some nice soothing telly? Obv by usual standards he's far too young for tv but sometimes you have to try anything.

BertieBotts · 29/10/2019 16:51

Have you checked his fingers and toes for a hair wrapped around them?

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 29/10/2019 16:51

I also used to sit mine in a bouncy chair in front of twinkly lights.

Again not something I love usually but on a bad day.... have you got a jumperoo or door bouncer? I remember once trying once in desperation on a bad day (having vowed I wouldn't use them). He was in 10 mins, produced an enormous shit, then was instantly calm. The relief for us both was unbelievable.

Blahblahblahnanana · 29/10/2019 16:53

If it’s been 4 hours of constant crying I’d call 111 and her him checked out.

billy1966 · 29/10/2019 16:54

A warm bath is very soothing.
Baby half hanging over your shoulder and walking about also used to soothe mine.

Definitely dose yourself and maybe put on some music for yourself.
My friend used to bring her baby on a bumpy buggy walk. 2 minutes babe was always out for the count.

I'd try the bath. Hope you feel better soon.

ColdTattyWaitingForSummer · 29/10/2019 16:55

Baby TV? It was a thing years ago anyway with just calming shapes / colours / music.. worked on ds2 when he’d take a screaming fit in the middle of the night. Is his ear or cheek red? (Just thinking of teething or an ear infection.) Might be worth trying some teething gel.
Flowers and Cake

Original poster
PineapplePrincess · 29/10/2019 17:46

@RoseHippy1 - oh dancing fruit!?! That worked for 15 mins! It was a lovely 15 mins, thank you.

He’s now bouncing up and down in his jumpers whilst crying his eyes out (no actual tears though!)

I really don’t think he’s in pain. He stops whilst lifted and then struggles to get down, and then starts crying when he’s down.

I think he actually wants to walk (he doesn’t yet crawl), but has apparently forgot that he can’t walk and hence the (current) upset.

OP posts:
ohhhhlivia · 29/10/2019 18:28

Boots and cats on you tube.

Failing that, sing while holding him to your chest over your heart.

Doesn't matter if you're shit. I'm shit and it works with mine.

Something simple and repetitive. Might take 15 minutes but it usually works.

shouldhavecalleditoatabix · 29/10/2019 18:32

Hi OP. Honestly it sounds to me like he's tired. Mine used to cry and cry when they got tired and it made it even harder to get them to sleep. Has he napped well today? They have growth spurts which I find makes them super tired and super hungry. Failing that stick him in the high chair with some pots and pans and a wooden spoon. Let him bash them and smash them and generally make a noise. Then open the wine and hand him off to the next adult that walks in the door!