Help! My 5weeks old hasn't stoped crying all day!

[zuzkah]

Hi there, my 5 weeks old son hasn't slept today and wouldn't settle. This has never happened before as he was always very good. He falls asleep in our arms but wakes up screaming the minute we put him down. Help, need some reassurance that this is normal?

Yep they all do that - I take it he doesn't have a temperature (feel the back of his neck to get an idea if he's hot)?

Sometimes babies are ratty and you can't fathom why, then all of a sudden they are fine again. I think it's random grumpiness, or the need for a poo.

Try not to worry too much, if he's not sick and he's being well looked after it's probably that he does need a poo, or he's too tired or overstimulated from christmas, a quiet day tomorrow will probably solve everything.

has he been feeding ok?could he be poorly(not meany to scare you btw!!).my ds2 lived in his sling,i could carry him but have my hands free!

Oh and have you tried swaddling?

Agree with WMMC

They often go through a growth spurt at around 6 weeks too - has he been wanting to feed more than normal? If you're bfing, try putting him back to the breast again. If you're bottle feeding, maybe make up another oz or two and see if that helps

He doesn't have a temperature we checked that. He poos well too maybe a bit of struggle with wind though.
We haven't tried swaddling. Although I think he won't like it we might give it a go.
Sling is a good idea during the day but I guess it won't help at night
Oh dear, this is the first time Im scared we will have a sleepless night.

Swaddling is definitely worth a go - do you know how to do it? There are some great guides online if you google how to swaddle.

If he struggles with wind, have you tried keeping him upright for half an hour after feeds. Quite often at this age the oesophagus isn't closed properly so they can have leakage back up and/or a lot of air trapped and keeping upright can help.

As can sitting them on your lap, against your stomach/chest so their backs are straight - can produce some prodigious belches (as well as vomits - have a cloth handy).

WMMC - thanks for your advice. We are trying to burp him after every feed. Will check out swaddling.
Jojay - He has been feeding every 2 hours last nite (usually after 3 hours before). When I put him to my breast now he feeds for 2min. and then burst into loud crying.
I have never heard him cry so loud before!

Stomach ache? Wind maybe? Is this when colic begins? Does his tummy feel hard and tight? You could lie him across your knees and rub his back. Or - this would be my choice - put him in a sling and walk briskly round the house. Dance a bit. I know it sounds mad but he must be exhausted and desperate to drop off.

Aha! Okay. Have you changed your diet - eaten a lot of chocolate or anything else with caffeine in? Babies quite often get upset when they are young if you have lots of rich food (bummer I know) and it sort of builds up till you have a day of grumping. Alternatively he could be teething early - DD started at 7 weeks with the sore gum thing.

But starting to feed them yelling normally means 'milk tastes funny' 'I have really bad wind and my tummy hurts' or 'mum you have squished my toe under your armpit by mistake' .

Does he draw his legs in to indicate he has wind?

You want to try swaddling him before feeds so that he is feeding in an optimum position too. If he's just really hungry because of a growth spurt, you milk may not be letting down quickly enough (it'll catch up or he'll get more patient though in time).

Could be ear ache if lying in the feeding position makes him cry.

Could be ear ache if lying in the feeding position makes him cry.

nkf- his tummy feels ok. |it might be colic. he is sleeping in my arms going to try to put him down...

Oh good. Now go and have a lie down yourself.

nkf - Better wait. He has done this 3x tonite. Falls asleep in your arms, put to bed and awake in 10 min. screaming.
wmmc - I suspect the diet thing. And thanx for making me laugh with your comment about the toe LOL
I had a cup of decaff coffee this morning. Could it be it? I thought decaff is ok, isnt it?

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but it's possible he's just realised that he's happier close to you. Would you consider cosleeping?

classic time for grwoth spurt, so feeding more to stimilate more milk production. manifests as wildly unsettled and unsatisfied.

CSB - Could be that. Smart little bugger He sleeps next to us in a crib and I'd like to keep it this way.
fishie - He has been feeding more recently. Lets hope it is growth spurt.
It's just so distressing when you don't know why they cry and they can't tell you yet. Btw our little angel is still sleeping so better to start getting ready for bed before he is up again for his next feed.

Thanks to you all for your comments and support. So glad we have mumsnet! Just to share and hear I'm not the only one going through this is a great thing! God bless and good nite....hopefully