Am I really the only person finding this mummy thing sooooo difficult?
Don't get me wrong,I'm thrilled I have DS but I'm knackered. He's 4 weeks old and will not sleep on his back at all. Dr tried gaviscon as hv suspected reflux, didn't work and DS was still really unsettled (all the time). Dr is now trying lactose free milk which seems to be calming him tho he still won't settle ANYWHERE but on someone.
Doesn't even settle properly in the car or pram which he did the first week we were home, sleeps for a short time then wakes and screams. It upsets me as you see all these mums with content little babies out in the pram and there's me with mine screaming!
DH and I have been doing shifts with DS as someone has to hold him 24 hours! I'm getting worried about how I'll manage when DH goes back to work and its just me! He sleeps really well when on someone but the minute he goes down, he unsettles himself. He hates being swaddled and fights his way out!
I've lifted his crib at he head end, I've raised the mattress, I give a warm bath in bedtime routine etc
Looking back, he has always been unsettled on his back, even in hospital. I just thought it would settle but it got worse to the point where he won't go down at all. At one point he would only sleep upright-so curled up against our chest.
I tried having him in bed with me - kicked DH out, moved to middle of bed etc but just didn't feel comfortable enough to sleep myself.
I've tried letting him cry, just for a few mins (like while I boil the kettle, or nip to the loo), but it doesn't stop and I'm not comfortable with leaving him any longer than that -I just think he's too young.
I've always been really good with kids, I work with them too, so why ami finding this soooo hard. What am I doing wrong??
I'm sorry this is a bit disjointed and all over the place.
Please help and share you're experience as a new first time mum.
Oh and overnight, well between about 5-8am he seems to have really bad tummy cramps. He's on lactulose for constipation from the gaviscon but the tummy cramps also happened before the constipation too? It was like he was staining for hours to poo then when he finally managed his nappy was perfectly normal. The first time it happened I thought he was bunged up then was really surprised when his nappy was normal when it finally happened.
I feel like everyone else has these happy content little babies, and then there's me!!
Sorry it's such a long rambling!
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Soooo hard
Kafri · 17/01/2013 05:59
DS2 was like this, from birth to about 3m I would have to lay him sideways in my arms, always head on my left arm, and do a strange bounce and rock dance! Considering that silent reflux was the problem the last thing I thought he would like was to be swung back and forth, but it was the only thing that helped him get off to sleep. I knew he had reflux a few hours after his birth, and can remember telling the midwife, who said it was nonsense and that he was just being a newborn, took me 3m to get anyone to prescribe anything for him, and he is now on Nutrimagen AA, Infant Gaviscon and lactulose, which have helped.
He used to get tired about an hour after he had woken, and there would be a tiny window of opportunity to get him to sleep, if missed he would let us know he was unhappy! I used to watch him like a hawk for every little sign of tiredness and pounce when I saw the smallest yawn.
He has been seen by a Dietician, a Paediatrician and a Cranial Osteopath. The Paed said that sometimes they appear constipated, but that it is more that their digestive system is immature and has trouble actually moving food along. DS2 used to make a huge fuss over doing a poo, but when he had actually gone it was fine, the lactulose just helps things along a bit. The Cranial Osteopath also said his gut seemed sluggish. The Dietician said he had CMPI and advised the Dr to prescribe the Nutrimagen AA. Am not totally convinced about this diagnosis however, but am happy to wait until he is 1 for the milk trial as I dont want to risk making things worse.
Not sure if this is helpful, its really hard dealing with a reflux baby, I used to look at other mums with their sleeping, contented babies and think 'what am I doing wrong?', forgetting that DS1 was just such a baby and I haven't done anything wrong at all, and neither have you 
. It will pass suprisingly quickly, his first 3m are a bit of a blur tbh, he is 7.5m now and although reflux still an issue, he is more easily distracted by things,and learning to sit unaided etc, so I can actually spend a little time with my poor neglected first born!
Have you got a sling?
Your DH can do it because he won't be as wound up. Babies can smell your fear 
do not take this personally.
Oh poor you 
Both my babies have been like this, DS2 is nearly a year and it a lot better since becoming mobile. He screamed in the pram, car seat, bouncy chair even in my arms its unforgiving and soul destroying but please don't feel bad. I used to just walk round the streets when DS1 was at school, even when he was asleep id walk/jog the fresh air kept me sane and got him sleeping.
I know a few people who have sworn by cranial osteopathy for their DC's too.
Please consider a proper sling. They really are miraculous things and your movement and heartbeat will help soothe
Also, agree with the cows milk protein intolerance over lactose, DS2 had a temporary CMPI and gluten intolerance after contracting a stomach bug.
I hope things improve soon for you. If you need to put baby down if it gets too hard, just do it and make a cuppa etc... Take 5.
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