Screaming baby - IDEAS NEEDED!?1

[PineapplePrincess]

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???

Or lay him on your lap on his stomach and gently pat or rub his back whilst rocking legs back and forth. But mostly try (I know this is super hard) to find some inner calm yourself. He will pick up on your frustration making a horrible downward spiral. I feel your pain OP. Remember though, this too shall pass.

How about being carried in a sling for a bit? (If you have one)

In 12 months this happened to me once, I was ready to throw myself under a bus.

I put him in the bath and calm was restored. Give it a try. X

Oh gosh OP I feel for you. I agree that it could very much be frustration at the inability to walk. My DS was a baby who cried or shouted so much. He started walking at 10 months and overnight transformed into a lovely, happy and laid back boy. The toddler and preschool years have been a breeze. It was incredible. Hopefully yours will be an early walker too!

This only works with two people but try holding a blanket or towel like a hammock and gently swinging him inside. This was the only thing that worked with our crier. If he's already 8 months then maybe try distracting with a normally forbidden food? Nutella, custard, ice cream etc.

I'd definitely be getting his ears checked.

I would think ears too.

Ps my son had no outward signs of an ear infection other than crying and then when he was older tantrums. It was always caused by an ear infection and was tied into a cold.

Miserable babies often are feeling poorly. I would get an appt with out of hours GP to check he's well.

I second what others have said. My dd spent a week like this plus not sleeping at night, just throwing herself around all night. No temperature. I finally took her just for my own sanity and the Dr said her ears were both absolutely bulging. After 2 days of the antibs in her she was back to normal.

He might be a bit old for this issue but can you strip him off completely and check fingers, toes and genitals for a hair wrapped tightly around one?

We had a couple in A&E where the hair was close to amputating a digit.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_tourniquet

And he’s asleep!?! Yay - semi-sanity restored.

Thank you for all your ideas. Not sure what was going on. He remained crying all the way through his bath and until he got his final bottle.

Health Visitor was round this morning and he was this happy, giggly little thing. Went down for an hours nap and woke up a crying, screaming monster.

Was even a pain in the ass for Daddy. Which was a welcome relief, I think I’d have lost the plot if he was only screaming in my presence.

Hopefully he wakes up a different baby tomorrow. (Fingers crossed for an easy night!)

Glad baby has settled for now. I wonder if it’s teething? If so, Ashton & Parsons powders were a God send in our house x

Pop him into the buggy and rock him back and forth until he sleeps. If you do the car route, my little one quietens down when the window is open and it makes that awful windy noise. It’s a frustrating phase.