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Parenting

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Original poster

No idea how to stop the screaming, it's relentless! :(

22 replies

hanflan · 16/02/2015 14:51

Have a 5 day old ff baby. She screams and screams and screams almost constantly, and we have no idea what to do for her. We try feeding, changing, dummy, cuddling her, everything that people usually suggest on threads like this but she just won't stop. She isn't even sleeping as a result! We have seen several midwives and even a consultant as we were so concerned but they all seem to say there is nothing wrong with her it's just a phase that she will get through and we just have to soothe her and hold her as much as we can. Meanwhile we are not sleeping and we are losing the plot entirely... What are we supposed to do when DH has to go back to work?!! She just seems such an unhappy baby it breaks my heart. We have tried EVERYTHING. Has anyone else been through this and come out the other side still sane?!

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Original poster

hanflan · 16/02/2015 14:52

Oh and we are also using infacol and gaviscon due to suspected reflux as advised by consultant.

OP posts:

GoogleyEyes · 16/02/2015 14:57

Get a good sling (try your local sling library for something like a Moby wrap), put her in and walk. She'll be cuddled, warm, upright (which helps the reflux) and the screaming doesn't sound so loud outside. She may well go to sleep, but even if not, it's a lot less stressful than having a screaming baby indoors

You have all my sympathy, my dd1 was like this. I used slings a lot, and she got much better at six months once she started solids, though I'm sure that feels a long way away for you right now.

earplugsahoy · 16/02/2015 15:01

Oh the awful relentless screaming of a baby.. One who doesn't sleep on top

I am some what of an expert in this field

Few questions..then i will give advice on what we did

how many ounces is dd drinking and how often?
how often is dd poo'ing
does she scream immediately after / during feeding & does she arch her back when screaming?

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chillybits · 16/02/2015 15:04

Agree a good sling, and lots of turn taking. Its very hard. Do you have friends, gp's who could walk her around to give you a break together? Hearing your baby cry like this is so stressful.

She isn't an unhappy baby, more likely an uncomfortable one but she doesn't have words to tell you why.

fakenamefornow · 16/02/2015 15:11

I know this won't be popular but some advice my mil gave me. She called her husband at work once because she had a baby who wouldn't stop crying and was really struggling. He told her to put the baby up in her cot, come downstairs make a cup of tea and put the radio on so you can't hear the crying. Her husband was a paediatrician who had three other children and assured her that the baby would come to no harm and mum needed a break.

I had a screaming baby, I know it's hard.

MrsBojingles · 16/02/2015 20:48

If your baby carries on screaming and you suspect it's reflux you might need to push for referrals & better medication - a lot of reflux babies have cows milk protein allergy and need a special prescription formula. Look up the facebook group Living With Reflux - I've had so much excellent advice for my refluxy BF baby

3luckystars · 16/02/2015 20:53

Reflux.
Get a sling, neocate formula and Zantac and very best wishes.

sunnydayinmay · 16/02/2015 21:01

I had a screamer and lived to tell the tale.

Does feeding help? How often are you actually feeding at the moment?

(My eldest wanted to be fed constantly, wouldn't yake a dummy, just milk. I think it was too much for his stomach, but it was all he wanted. For a long time..)

Quitelikely · 16/02/2015 21:29

Have you tried changing her formula to something more gentle?

It bloody pisses me off when the medical profession think it's ok for a baby to scream all day and night long.

Usually IMO it's to do with some sort of feeding issue.

Try cranial osteopathy. Google for your local. Some swear by it.

CheshireCait · 16/02/2015 21:38

If it's reflux, Gaviscon may not help much and Infacol actually makes it worse. You need a second opinion.

That much crying is NOT normal.

Original poster

hanflan · 17/02/2015 11:33

Thank you all, fab advice :)

OP posts:

Jammygal · 18/02/2015 19:18

Don't panic .....some excellent advice here....I second cranial osteopath...some offer free consultation for babies 2 weeks and under! Try going outside too.....sometimes the cold air can stun them into silence giving you all a chance to calm down....try holding in different positions too and see if some are better than others eg lie across your arm when sat down or turn her so she is looking out. Make sure she's not too hot...have you tried stripping her back to just vest and undoing nappy and letting her kick a bit???sounds like she could be overtired too as not sleeping properly which causes vicious circle. Try pushing her out in pushchair too it might help a bit....and gives you a break by crying not being so intense! Don't worry I promise it will pass ...good luck ;)

didireallysaythat · 18/02/2015 19:25

My sympathies. Our first born screamed for two months, only starting to settle at three months when I went back to work. Five days is a little early to start changing formula but there are comfort blends that may help. I recommend ear plugs, a sling or baby carrier and getting out of the house as much as possible. It will get better.

Katie2489 · 18/02/2015 19:28

Maybe try change the milk brand? Much sympathy, you will get there.

Katie2489 · 18/02/2015 19:30

Sorry, I didn't realise it was too soon to change milk brand... Ignore my post.

keepmoving · 18/02/2015 19:30

DD1 was like this - very vocal! Cranial osteopath worked for us

keepmoving · 18/02/2015 19:37

Sorry, phone has a mind of it's own.

We had a few sessions with a cranial osteopath and noticed a difference from the first session.

To start with (before the cranial osteopath), DH would take DD out in the buggy for at least an hour in the evening just so I could get some sleep, neighbours knew it was him because of the screams. It gets easier.

Always remember "this too will pass".

didireallysaythat · 18/02/2015 22:20

keep our neighbours used to comment on my DH walking around the block with his ear plugs in and a travel mug of coffee. Now DS1 sleeps nicely. But DS2 (who was a lamb compared to DS1 as a baby) is a complete and utter sod. It's all just a phase. It too will pass. But in the meantime coffee, ear plugs and jelly babies help.

Stubbed · 18/02/2015 22:40

This is not normal. Probably reflux or milk allergy but those meds will not be strong enough. Get second opinion and a referral. Reflux can be kept under control with the right meds - keep going til you get them. It peaks at 3/4 months so if your baby is uncomfortable now...

TheFecklessFairy · 19/02/2015 21:12

My BF son screamed for the first 5 weeks of his life - turned out he was lactose intolerant. Is DD's poo normal? (Our house smelled like a brewery and his stools were like water mixed with beer!).

saintlyjimjams · 19/02/2015 21:17

Yes change formula & I have seen cranial osteopathy work wonders - worth a go as it's very gentle so no risk.

Amby hammock helped my refluxy ds3 (along with wrap slings)

Branleuse · 19/02/2015 21:18

milk intolerance is pretty likely.

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