12 week old screams when I put him down

[Screamer]

Please help - I'm at the end of my tether. DS is 12 weeks old and has always been a bit clingy. However for the past few days he screams blue murder every time I put him down - whether in his bouncy chair, on the bed, in his cot...

He doesn't nap during the day but usually sleeps through the night. He will nap if he is in my arms but wakes up and screams if I gently put him down. Now he is screaming when I put him down so that I can have a shower, eat lunch etc. Previously he would be OK in is chair for 30 minutes which allowed me to eat.

He is EBF, feeding every 2 hours when he is awake but can go for 4 hours if he sleeps (normally if we go for a long walk). He is fed, clean nappy and I don't think he is in pain as he stops screaming the minute I pick him up. He often screams if I hold him and sit down as he is very alert and inquisitive and wants to be walked round the flat or look out of the window.

What can I do? My back is killing me from carrying him all day and I am quite frankly fed up of not being able to put him down. I have tried a baby sling and it only works if he is really tired and can fall asleep in it.

oh screamer,
Does he cry when in the sling? Have you tried a different kind? I'm not really up on them but imagine some are more comfortable than others (for the lo's)

I'm not sure what else to suggest but hopefully someone will see this who does.

I would go to a Doctor to rule out Reflux.

It's very common, I had 2 with reflux and that's exactly how they behaved.

Why are you EBF, was there a problem BF?
If there is, One of the main ways to diagnose reflux is to watch them BF.

Does he arch his back, scream etc during a feed. Does it feel like he wants fed, then like he is fighting with you, of and on of and on, making you feel it's an attachment issue?

Feeding a 12 week old baby every 2 hours? Was he premature?

Try spacing the feeds out a little more, say every 3 hours as not allowing one feed to be digested before embarking on the next will cause painful wind, colic even and then he would appear clingy, upset and too uncomfortable to sit/lie down.

Once you have ruled out an actual problem then it's is just down to who he is. He may be sensitive and will calm down in time when he gets a bit bigger/sturdier.

I feel for you, I know how it feels to never be able to put a baby down, my DD was exactly the same and you feel exhausted and frazzled.

She did calm down around 4/5 months and from then became very easy. She is now 11 months.

off and on

My DS had a very similar phase which lasted about 3 weeks when he was about 14 weeks old. He was delightful when being carried around but would scream blue murder if I put him down. He still has rare moments of 'how dare you put me down' but is a lot happier on the whole and I don't dread doing it! I was never sure if he was unhappy or in pain but I am relieved it's over!

This was also when he started screaming in the pushchair too. It's hard work, isn't it. My back still hasn't recovered from the constant carrying. Sorry that I have no advice :(

Hi all

Sorry, I used EBF to mean exclusively BF. Probably used wrong acronym.

I feed him every 2 hours as it is often the only thing that stops him crying. He only ever feeds for between 5-15 minutes each time though. Not premature, was 8lb10 at birth and is now on 75th percentile!!

I'm thinking it might be tiredness (no naps during day unless I hold him - he is asleep on me now but when I lowered him into cot he started screaming) and maybe boredom. He wants to be walked round all day but I just can't do it I need to eat, shower etc.

Right, if your sure babys not in pain just put him down, go and get your shower and a coffee.

Nothing bad will happen, I promise

My DD1 didn't sleep at all in the day at that age, unless being pushed (and she'd wake up the moment I stopped). She was very inquisitive and liked lots of activity around her. I could put her down if I took her out and there was plenty to look at, but it was difficult to get anything done at home.

Things got a bit easier when she could sit up, a lot easier when she could crawl (even though it creates a new set of problems). She is now 13, still very active, sociable, busy, rarely still, rarely bored. It might be the way your baby is.

I'm not sure how best to deal with not being able to put him down, at least with all the pushing I got quite fit. It will gradually sort itself out though.

When you need a shower, or whatever, put him in his cot and get on with it. Don't leave him for long, but give yourself a break!