4 month old screaming all afternoon

[ActonBell]

For the past couple of weeks every afternoon and evening my 4 month old just cries and screams and is really difficult to settle. He’s going through the sleep regression so is catnapping and waking more at night but he’s also chewing on his hands and everything in sight. I mentioned this to the health visitor and she said it’s developmental and not necessarily a teething sign?

If it is teething I’m lost as to what to do. I’ve tried loads of teethers and they seem to help for a little while but not for long. Ive cracked and given calpol today but I obviously can’t do that everyday. What can I do to help him? Previous DS was never really bothered by his teeth and didn’t have a regression as he simply never slept (!) so it’s all a bit different to last time.

Can you put him in his pram and go for a long walk to settle him OP?

Did the calpol help/change his behaviour? Or was it exactly the same?

There's no reason you can't give some calpol if it's settling him! He maybe is in pain with teeth and need a little pain relief. You wouldn't suffer yourself would you? You'd take paracetamol 🤷‍♂️

I would carry on with the Calpol, according to the dosage given on the bottle. If he's fed, clean and not overtired then it's most likely to be teething and he'll need the pain relief.

Anbesol liquid from the chemist rubbed on their gums is magic and should reduce the need for calpol. It’s better than the gel I find which always seems to slide away from where you’re trying to put it.

Did the Calpol help? If it did and you think his gums are sore then I would try Ashton and Parsons powder which is a herbal product for teething.

@Dairymilk50

Can you put him in his pram and go for a long walk to settle him OP?

It’s a bit hit and miss. I’ve got my 4 year old as well so we try to get out everyday and sometimes he gets a decent bit of sleep in the pram, other times he just cries and cries and we have to come home. When he’s really upset nothing much seems to help. I do think he’s overtired.

Yes the calpol settled him and then he was able to feed. He didn’t sleep but seems much calmer now.

I’m wondering whether I’m also missing some feeding and sleepy cues because I’m so preoccupied with DS1. I wish a sling worked for him but though he doesn’t mind it it doesn’t seem to stop the crying.

@ActonBell

Yes the calpol settled him and then he was able to feed. He didn’t sleep but seems much calmer now.

Then please don’t feel bad about using it, it’s there to be used when needed. Sometimes you might have a week where they have one dose every day and then others where they go months without it.

Have you tried the teething powders? Also why are you so averse to calpol. If you had toothache would you not take something for it?

When my dd was at this stage I also gave her frozen carrot batons or baby corn which seemed to help or even frozen chips!

I second Anbesol liquid... get it from the pharmacy. Its liquid gold. My dd did this screaming thing for hours and hours at a similar age.

Please give him pain relief - if he needs it, it’s the best thing to do.