4 week baby- cries constantly when awake

[LimesMum]

4 week DD just never seems content unless on my boob or asleep..... My DD1 used to feed and would then be awake but happy but this one just seems to be distressed, it's quite unpleasant and upsetting to see.

I don't think it's colic as its all times of day and doesn't last hours as I can normally get her to go off to sleep and once asleep she's ok

I've tried winding, nappy change etc etc

Anyone had this??

I assume you've spoken to the HV and ruled out any possible physical issues e.g. reflux.

Do you have a sling/wrap sling? It may be worth a try if she's unsettled. My DD1 was like this a wrap sling saved my sanity.

Yes, my DS1 was like this. He had transient lactase deficiency but that was only diagnosed at around 12 weeks. Colief was the answer - it replaces the lactase enzyme that helps them process the lactose. Other possibilities are silent reflux or cow's milk protein allergy. It's horrible to witness but bear in mind she won't remember any discomfort she might be experiencing.

Thanks ladies - were yours breast fed?

DD was similar in that she would cry unless held, fed or asleep. She wouldn't do any of the normal baby things like go in a cot, a buggy or anyone else's arms. There was nothing physically wrong with her that we could find and eventually, after what felt like a lifetime, she grew out of it.

Yes, breastfed which made administering the Colief a bit of a pain.

No experience myself as I had quite a settled newborn he's making up for that now with a vengeance but a friend's baby was exactly like this. She basically screamed unless asleep or feeding for the first 8 weeks of her life. They tried everything, it seemed to have no physical cause at all. At 8 weeks it tapered off completely and now she is a very happy settled baby unlike DS.

Ok so maybe she will just grow out of it ? It's just so distressing to watch!! And I feel like I can't take her out anywhere in case she wakes up and screams the place down!!

I just figure if there was a physical cause she wouldn't stay asleep and be settled whilst asleep??

Does anyone really know why some babies cry constantly, there seems to be no reason for it half the time.
My son slept all night from birth, it fact I worried all the time that he had some kind of brain injury and would lie awake fretting :-)
He's grown up now and is absolutely fine.
My sisters two screamed almost 24 hours a day, nobody knew why. Again they grew up fine.

I agree biker.

I was like that as a baby. Cried constantly according to my poor mum. I think you may as well look for any possible cause and try everything but the sad fact is some babies do just do this for no apparent reason

DS is going through a phase like this atm and it's so bloody hard. I just keep telling myself that he hasn't got any other way of communicating

My ds only ever ate,slept or cried,cant remember anything in between especially at 4 weeks.

Visit GP to rule out physical causes - reflux/silent reflux etc.
One indicator may be if you hold baby in upright position after feeds - does that help?

Otherwise might just be like DS2 who stopped screaming the day he learned to roll - he was frustrated being still all the time.

Thanks all.. I will just have to wait and see then I guess!!