7 week old

[fizzingwhizbee]

DS2 is 7 weeks and cries all the time that he's awake unless he's feeding.

DS1 was the same and I was always told he was a 'difficult baby'.

But maybe this is just how all babies are? I realise all babies cry, I'm not totally naive.

But do most babies cry all the time that they are awake?

He won't happily sit in my arms, in the bouncer, in the mamaroo, on his play mat etc etc.

I'd find it easier to cope with if the other mums I know didn't tell me "oh no, my little one only cries for food!"

I would so like to enjoy some of the time he's awake. But unless he's feeding he's screaming. We've tried ranitidine and he's now on lactose free formula which we're waiting on seeing if it 'works'. But I'm not convinced. Maybe he's just miserable?!

No, not all the time. I've had 2 that cried continuously. 1 had reflux (on top of other issues), the other silent reflux & colic. Once the reflux was well medicated they were both happier esp once the colic had settled around 3 months. Rantidine didn't work for either of mine, gaviscon didn't either when it was added to bottles but did when made as a paste so that might be an option if lactose free doesn't work (hopefully it will though).
I know it's harder when you have an older one but have you tried skin-skin? That can be amazingly good at calming them.

That sounds really difficult. My dd is 6 weeks old and she cries for food or if she's too hot or overtired or sometimes if her nappy needs changing. Most of the time she is awake she is content and doesn't cry and I'm aware how lucky I am with her. It is luck I'm sure and things change fast with babies so it might be the other way around in a week or two.

It does sound like your baby might have a tummy ache or something if they cry so often.

Did the health visitor/ midwives/ gp give any advice at the checks about what they thought it might be? Hope it gets better soon you must be so tired.

HV and GP suggest things (ranitidine for reflux and now lactose free milk when that didn't work).

I feel on the verge of tears so often because I just feel so robbed all the time. I just would love to have a happy baby. And it can't be nice for DS either as there's obviously something bothering him.

I feel like a failure as a parent. Both of my babies have been the same

You sound like such a caring parent- you're trying everything to help your baby. It's heart breaking and exhausting when they cry and cry and it must be so tough while you're trying to work out what the matter is and can't fix it quickly. Fingers crossed going lactose free will solve it.

I think you're doing the right thing by going back to HV/ GP for answers when a treatment doesn't seem to help.

Thanks Jenny.** I'm trying my best to be a caring parent but my patience and nerves are wearing thin.
It was hard enough the first time around when DS1 was the only one. But now I have DS2 screaming all the time AND a 2yo who also needs my attention.

Bernard we did try Gaviscon but it gave him terrible constipation which made him, surprise surprise, miserable.

I feel so negative. And with a newborn you're constantly told "ooh! Enjoy this time, it goes so quick". But I can't enjoy it. It's thoroughly miserable being screamed at all the time.

I've buggered up the bold bits good and proper there

Hi

Both of mine have been criers! I am a bit disappointed this time as I was really hoping for a nice content baby. Someone at a group the other day said their baby (same age) doesn't cry....I was a bit down as I have to warn people mine cries a lot so as people don't think it's them holding him making him cry!

I have some 'happy time' during the day - about 1/2 hour in morning and evening. Bad colic for 3 hours which has now reduced at 8 weeks to about 1hr.

I feel sorry for older child and DH has taken her out on his own a lot to give her a break from the noise!

I struggle the most when I am out and people naturally look over - I'm tempted to shout out oh don't worry it's normal!

I have been through several medical options and my DH is a doctor but seems they are just both criers but my older one was a cryer later and this one is a cryer straight away.

On the plus side I have a lovely toddler who doesn't tantrum at all and has very good verbal skills so is good company.

Hope you are ok? I find the crying very intense sometimes xx

Chosen that's what I'm thinking. I've just had two fairly miserable babies.

DS1 remained miserable until he turned two. Then when his talking really took off he was much better.

I'm ok. Just tired and frustrated really.

That and I want to hunt down all those people who told me "you won't have two the same" and punch them in the face!!

Aww I know what you mean. How is the sleep going with your second? Mine sleeps for 2.5hrs at start of night (10.30-1 normally) then wakes hourly/40 mins for the rest of the night! I'm hoping it improves.

My first was an awful sleeper from 5m-15m and nearly sent me over the edge....this one HAS to be better??!!

Keep getting that feeling of dread when he starts stirring awake from his nap which I'm feeling guilty about!

I don't really enjoy newborns (the two I have had anyway!) it's just a long drag. I do like toddlers thou so I'm trying to focus on that!

I haven't found anyone irl who has mentioned this so feel a bit isolated at groups etc when people go on about their happy sleeping babies!

Do you have the colic evenings? X

Poor you , what is really hard I think is not yet really knowing your baby at this stage. It makes one worry that there is something wrong with DC or that one must be doing something wrong .
My second child cried for months , it was awful for us all. Time went so slowly ...
My other children were completely different ... DD never cried and DS2 cried very loudly for a specific reason ; tired/ hungry/ cold/ being in car/ being in sling/ being put down!!!!
The experience with DS1 was much harder as we could never get to the bottom of it.... the circumstances for all 3 were the same so I realised that it was something to do with him.
Just do your best; I recommend getting out of the house as much as you can and taking a day at a time ... it goes eventually settle

Chosen he's a better sleeper than my first. He sleeps about 2 hours at a time at night. But he's very hard to put back down after a feed.

Yeah. He cried solidly from 2-6 today. He's just kicked off again for the last hour. He's still going. My husband's just taken him for a tour of the kitchen for the millionth time today.

It's definitely not just you. Don't feel isolated. People like to paint things in the best light. It's not always the truth.

I'm always completely honest. I guess at the very least I'm probably making someone feel better about themselves/their baby!!

Yikes that's good advice. I try to get out as much as I can. I get a bit put off because I spend the whole time praying he doesn't wake up because he'll start screaming and everyone stares at me.

I just go places where there's less people. Like the woods or the local pond.