I’m a first time mum and I am really struggling. I have a baby girl who has just turned 4 months and for as long as I can remember it’s been really really hard.
It started when she was about 6 weeks old where she would just cry for hours and have these “episodes” where she was inconsolable to the point my Mother in law, mother and sister on 3 different occasions said to bring her to hospital to get checked. I had been to a doctor prior as I thought she may have silent reflux after doing research and the doctor agreed. At the hospital she had a full check over and got the all clear and was told “colic and maybe silent reflux”. We’ve tried reflux meds, infacol/ gripe water and changed her onto 6 different milks including a dairy free as she has had explosive poos since she was born and after consulting the HV she said if things haven’t improved she may have CMPA.
On top of all this, she has never ever just “fallen asleep” even as a newborn the only thing that would work was a baby carrier and at that she would still cry before eventually falling asleep.
Now she is older she doesn’t like the carrier as much and the only thing that works is the yoga ball or the occasional feeding to sleep at night. I can’t go anywhere outside the house as I need to bounce her to sleep for her 4 naps a day and nighttime, she doesn’t let me even stand up and rock her asleep or sit down in a rocking chair it has to be the same rhythmic bouncing, she will still scream and scratch but only for 5 mins before falling asleep. I have tried everything, longer/ shorter wake windows, different positions, putting her down drowsy and car rides. She hates the pram and I can’t drive anywhere by myself as she SCREAMS in the car seat to the point of making herself sick and choking so I am still in the backseat as I’m too afraid something will happen. It’s like as soon as she feels herself getting tired or falling asleep she erupts and can get herself so worked up she cries for hours.
I love her so much and love being her mom but it’s taking over my life. I know they are only small for such a short time but I am really struggling with the constant crying especially before sleep. My family and friends can’t take her because of the crying and it’s so hard as no one I know has experienced this with their babies so I feel like there’s something wrong or I’m doing something wrong and it’s breaking my heart.
Sorry for the Essay but I was wondering if anyone has experienced this or have anything I can try to help this. I am looking into a sleep consultant but said I would try here before spending hundreds of pounds on something that may not work.
thank you x