Colic?

[halloumi1]

Hi,

DD is 3 weeks old (second baby) and everything just seems to be wrong; I feel like such an awful parent.

It doesn’t help (I know they’re not the same but in dark times you do flit back to those thoughts!) that DS was an absolute dream baby - slept through the night from a really young age and always seemed such a happy baby. I was with him constantly as DH didn’t get any paternity leave (just started a new job the week I gave birth) so I felt really bonded straight away, despite having PND related to DH and not being there.

For probably just over a week now, DD has been having episodes of awful crying. Being awake for hours crying on and off (usually worse in the evening but like today, has been going since 8.30), not settling even after a feed and nothing seems to comfort her. She goes red, the crying sounds incredibly loud and distressed but there isn’t anything apparent that she needs. This isn’t every day as sometimes we have lovely days.

We will get where we think she’s settled so she’ll have pauses in the crying or close her eyes, only for a little while later for it to start again. She’s taking her milk fine, nappies are frequent and putting on weight. I don’t remember it being this hard, DH and I are constantly stressed and I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism last week so feel like I’ve barely had time with her as it is due to the pain. I feel like I’m failing her and missing something she needs or that she’ll be developmentally damaged from all of this. I also worry DS isn’t getting what he needs fun and play wise with us because we’re so consumed by this.

Does this sound like it might be colic? Any help appreciated as this is so awful 😭

Hi
I’m a FTM and have been back and forth to the Gp with my little one currently 6 weeks old I feel your pain I’m going through the same with added reflux on top of that. It got to a point where I felt I wasn’t being believed it was that bad. But yes it does sound like colic ! You are not insane it is hell I’m just about surviving ! And feel everything you’re feeling even though I’m being reassured crying will not hurt them I wonder the same thing.

what has really helped me ( sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t )! I’ve noticed is infacol or gripe water to snap them out of it as it’s a new sensation. Then putting my baby in a fabric sling I use the caboo lite ( less faff) so it is tight and close to me and I’m still able to do things. I’ve only just started swaddling. again the swaddling can be hit and miss. My baby also likes water so if it gets bad I put her in the bath to relax I’m not gunna lie it is hell and I still cry over it as I’m just surviving but my new bed time is like 8:30/9 pm just so I can get baby down and get some sleep in myself.

symptoms I have
witching hour of screaming to begin with then
crying all day apart from at nap time and feeding
arch back
red in the face
legs up
inconsolable
unsettled
fighting sleep (which makes her worse)

I hope this helps I understand completely what’s happening and it is f*cking horrible if it weren’t for me taking 5 min breaks in a hot shower everyday to feel human I’d have completely lost my mind by now I’ve marked on the calendar her 3 month milestone in the hope it will ease up by then x

How are things now @halloumi1? Please don't worry about her being developmentally damaged. Our DS cried almost constantly, he had undiagnosed Tongue Tie, and he is the most lovely young adult, an absolute joy to be around.

If she's FF have you tried adding Dentinox to her bottles? If that doesn't work I'd try a comfort formula.

If she's BF, have a read of this on Kellymom.

And whichever way she's fed, have a read of Coping with Colic.

Sounds like colic. My baby was the same and i think it's very common and totally normal. I think I it probably doesn't help that it's your second and your first was so easy by the sounds of it. I've got friends whose babies were sleeping through the night from a young age and they think it's something they're doing but in reality it's just luck. For my baby I tried infacol, colief and gripe water and nothing seemed to help I'm sorry to say, however I know these things do work for some so give it a go. only suggestions I have is when they are refusing to settle and crying and crying try taking them for a walk or giving more milk. With mine I would sometimes not realise for a while that he wanted milk and that's why he was crying as they had just had a bottle but must just be super hungry for some reason! Also if bottle fed try stirring the bottle rather than shaking as shaking causes lots of gas bubbles

Also if bottle fed try stirring the bottle rather than shaking as shaking causes lots of gas bubbles

That's really good advice. Are you using a Perfect Prep @halloumi1? I've heard a lot of babies suffer with wind caused by the Perfect Prep.