5 week old been crying all day - should I be worried

[milli2512]

DS is 5 and a half weeks old and has been suffering with wind and/or reflux for a few weeks and has a bit of a meltdown most evenings but will settle eventually and then go for stretchesof up to 5 hours. Today he woke at about 8 and has only slept for approx 1.5.hrs in half hour bursts and then wakes in visible discomfort. He's cried and cried and pretty incosolable. Is feeding ok and trying to keep upright and wind for at least 30 mins. His fontanelle is slightly sunken but have had wet and dirty nappies. Is this just a particularly shitty colicky day or could there be more to it? Tried gripe water to no avail just given some infacol, which didn't do a lot in the past as it seemed more of a reflux issue before. Feel at the end of my tether.

Have you got someone to support you? A baby that has cried all day is hard, so if you can get hourly some space. If it is reflux, try putting his cot at an angle so he isn't lying flat. If it carries on, get yourself to a doctor. Reflux is treatable. Good luck.

Poor you, reflux and colic are rubbish! Sounds like you're doing well, keeping him upright and well burped. I read a tip once that stroking upwards on a refluxy baby's back is the most comfortable way to burp them.
Have you tried white noise? Swaddling? Dummy? Going for a drive...? Happiest baby on the block techniques:
Perhaps it's worth visiting your GP and asking for some gaviskon if he is still very uncomfortable.
I found dancing around the room for hours with DD the only thing to work at that age, exhausting!
As far as I know, if a baby is alert and making plenty of noise, they are probably ok, its more unusually quiet and sleepy that cause concern.
It will get easier soon, have a

Also baby massage can be good for wind

Hope it helps!

Oh and try a sling! DD loved being in the close caboo when tiny and would stop crying if we took her for walks in it. You can tell we tried almost everything

DS did this at the same age (Boxing Day).

I called NHS direct as I was a bit freaked out and he was inconsolable, they sent us to the OOT GP, and once he saw the doctor he perked up like nothing was ever wrong .

If you are worried there's no harm in speaking to NHS direct. I've always found them very good with young babies.

Something I (and my HV) think is fabulous is the "Baby Check - is your baby really ill" booklet available on the FSID website.

You can download it as a PDF.

It asks you a series of questions relating to symptoms, each having different point scores and at the end the total points tells you whether your baby is a little ill - keep an eye, moderately ill - make a Dr's appointment, very unwell - see Dr immediately or Emergency - go to A&E.

It was researched over 4 years analysing the signs and symptoms of illness in a 1000 babies under 6 months.

I was given it as part of DD's care, and my HV now downloads it and gives it to all new parents in her area. The peace of mind it gives is amazing. When DD was tiny I found it invaluable for checking whether she was ok. I'd even go so far as to say out of all the information I was given whilst pregnant and throughout DD's first year this was THE best.

You can download it here:

fsid.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=421

I honestly cannot recommend it enough.

Babycheck

Thanks for replies. We ended up taking him to be checked and typically when we got there it was like nothing had ever been wrong. That dose of infacol must have helped. they Suggested gaviscon so will get some at his 6wk check on Tues. Just hoping I get some sleep tonight and for better day tomorrow. Nothing really prepares you for days like this does it!

Crying is supposed to peak at 6 weeks so hopefully it'll pass soon

I had the same problem with my ds, and a combination of baby massage and aptamil comfort milk seemed to do the trick! he is now like a different baby!
Hope it settles down for you soon x