Is this normal?

[laminaHK]

Hello!

I’m a FTP, DS is 4 weeks old today. Predominantly breastfeeding but introduced 1 formula bottle at bedtime to help keep him fuller for longer and sleep better.

I’m finding that for the last 2 weeks (including prior to introducing formula feed) that at least once a day he appears to be in so much pain screaming crying. Looks like he’s trying to push and struggling, going bright red. He’s cried to the point I called 111 because I thought something was seriously wrong - he sounded like he was being murdered.
They weren’t concerned as he didn’t have a temp, he was still wanting to feed & also calmed down when I put him in the bath.

They said it’s due to his digestive system developing and babies just scream, that’s how it is…

When it happens, it’s never a usual time in the day - happens randomly. Sometimes only for a short time, sometimes longer.
Today for example I have spent the day feeding, comforting his screams, changing nappies, rocking to sleep, repeat. He has been really upset all day, won’t let me put him down and the day has had me feeling fed up.

Is this normal?
Do babies digestive systems take a long time to develop and does it cause this level of screaming?

I’ve been weighing up giving up dairy for a week to see if it helps at all, but I would be gutted to try this unnecessarily, because I don’t know what I’d do without my morning brew and evening chocolate 😂 but I thought it might be worthwhile to try?!

He isn’t throwing up and some days he poos more than others, which makes me think it isn’t reflux or constipation…

I just wanted to see if anybody else had experience of it and if it is in fact normal

thanks a lot

Sorry I forgot to add - I’ve tried things like baby massages but he screams if I try massage his tummy. He also screams if I lay him on it either on my knee or upright against my chest. Makes me feel like it must be so sore to even touch 🙁

the only thing that comforts him is a bath.
Other than that, he usually just calms down himself when I’m holding him and shushing and stroking his face.

Or if he’s in his happy place - on the boob haha

It sounds like colic, it's very common.

Sorry, I don't really have any tips, nothing much worked for me. But it stopped as suddenly as it started.

Thanks!

What even is Colic?! 😂 I can never get a clear answer out of google. Is it just babies crying but not 100% sure why?

It could be his digestive system just adjusting, but to be honest it isn't hard giving up milk now far easier then it used to be. Both DH and DD are dairy free and we have alternative milk and dairy free chocolate so you wouldn't have to give up either things just to give it a go.

To be honest I really wish I'd tried it with reflux DD as I said she is now dairy free and I suspect always has been intolerant to some extent.

Is it purple crying?

Could be silent reflux/ gas/ intolerance to something you are eating - go dairy and egg free for a week and you'll soon know if it's that.

Try colic drops/baby gaviscon/ osteopath.. but it could just be an immature digestive system that will improve with time.

It's hard- hang in there!

Yeah there’s so many more options now aren’t there! My DH is allergic to dairy, egg & nuts.
I really hope it’s not hereditary but definitely could be a risk! DH had skin flare ups as a baby and would be very sick after milk, our DS doesn’t get that, it’s just the screaming and looking in pain 🙁

I think the only struggle I’d have is cups of tea / coffee…. because usually people switch to Oat milk but I’m gluten intolerant 😂 me and my partner are a barrel of laughs together aren’t we!

Thanks for the reply

Thanks for this!

I’d agree apart from ‘R’ & ‘L’…
he does eventually sooth or I can sooth him faster if I put him in a nice warm bath or if he goes on the breast.
Longest the crying has ever lasted is about an hour I’d say! Definitely no longer

This really just sounds like the witching hour to me. It starts at about 2-3 weeks and peaks at 6 weeks, but does get better and then go away.
If baby is feeding well, nappies are normal and baby is gaining weight properly then there is nothing to worry about and nothing you can do except give lots and lots of cuddles. You can try different things for colic like massage, but ultimately it’s their immature digestive system learning to work, irrelevant of formula or breast milk.
It is super hard though, especially as a first time mum, but just remember is does pass.