Need help calming a screaming 4 week old

[Empusa]

In the last few days our DS has started screaming loads, we do all the usual things, (feed him, check his nappy, wind him, cuddle him) nothing seems to work. He's also been vomiting absolutely loads, often projectile. And he hasn't been sleeping much during the day, due to the crying.

Aside from this stuff he seems fine, temperature normal, plenty of wet and dirty nappies, alert in between screams, etc.

Really don't know what to do, as you can probably tell, he's our first. So help?!

I agree with the other posters about checking with the gp about the vomiting, it may well be reflux. It's hard work figuring out what your baby's preferences are - it's tempting to keep trying different things but sometimes it might help to do less. Something that i found helpful when they were really tiny was that i used to create a 'nest' for me and baby on the sofa or in bed, making sure i had everything I might need to hand (phone/tv remote/snack/drink/book) i'd feed the baby and stay put once they were asleep. If in bed it was good to feed lying down then I could roll away once they were sound asleep. If baby does have reflux then keeping them upright after a feed is a good idea, maybe lying on your chest with you sitting up. Me and dh had countless nights spent sleeping with a baby on our chests, propped up with lots of pillows! Some babies just need to be held a lot and don't like much stimulation. I found the dr sears attachment parenting approach helpful. www.askdrsears.com

One thing that I find helpful when faced with a screaming baby / child is to take a moment to stand still and take a deep breath and blow it out until i've squeezed every bit out, then myself a little shake to release any tension and only then pick up the child. It helps me feel more calm and in control.

Alongside the GP route you could also consider cranial osteopathy
www.occ.uk.com/index.php