I am a first time mum and am starting to reach my wits end with DS1. He is just constantly cranky. It's not colic or anything like that as he does not have non-stop screaming sessions. He is happy while nursing and usually for 10-15 mins afterwards, and then he'll start whimpering and crying. From then on it's a constant battle to keep the crying at bay. Everything I do sort of works for a few mins and then the crying starts again - for example 5 mins in the rocking chair, then 5 mins on my shoulder then 5 mins listening to the kettle boiling which soothes him etc. Mornings are easier, afternoons a real struggle. He has some better days but not many. I am totally exhausted from constantly doing this.
I thought it might be hunger and have tried topping him up with formula as much as he'll have, just to see but it didn't help. He's gaining weight ok. It might also be overtiredness but it's a terrible struggle to get him to sleep during the day, the only thing that works is a walk in the pram. Even in a sling he'll drop off for 30 mins max and then wake up crying. Impossible to put him down in a Moses basket to sleep, even in a darkened room with white noise, he'll just cry. So I manage to get him to nap 1.5hrs morning and afternoon whilst walking him in the pram, and maybe the odd 10-15 min nap here and there.
This is a long rambling post, I guess I am just getting really worried that he is an unhappy baby or I am doing something wrong. Any ideas of things to try? Any positive stories of babies like mine settling down??