3 month old crying?

[Rainbowboy23]

First time Mum here seeking reassurance or advice.

I read that babies generally tend to stop crying when they hit 3 months. I feel like we have gone in the complete opposite direction!

My 14 week old boy cries when he wakes up, cries when we get changed, cries when I put his coat on, cries when he gets in his car seat, cries when we go in the car, cries when I put him in the push chair, cries when the push chair stops, cries when he’s tired. It feels like he’s constantly crying.

He will settle pretty quickly following interaction/ engagement or being picked up. But it’s becoming an absolute pain in the backside to go anywhere or do anything.

It feels like I only get a 20/30 minute period of him appearing settled/ content during his wake window. The other time is spent whinging or wining.

Im starting to dread leaving the house because his cry in the car seat is so loud. I know I’m extra sensitive to his cry and it makes me incredibly anxious. He will only relax in his push chair if we are moving.

Im a first time Mum and my Mum keeps telling me it’s completely normal and he’s a “content” little baby. But I can’t help but compare to others. I’ve never heard my friends baby cry and my SIL had a baby 3 weeks before who is just so relaxed.

I don’t want to wish time away but I can’t wait for the day I wake up to him smiling, get him ready for the day and leave the house without him exploding with tears.

Ive never had any issues with feeding and he absolutely loves his sleep.

So, does this sound normal?

He's still tiny - it's normal, even though it may not feel like it - honestly

Babies have SO much to learn and it must be so incredibly overwhelming to them, their only method of communication is crying

There’s a huge range, and yours sounds somewhere in the middle of it, so yes I’d say it’s normal.

Some babies barely ever cry... Mine cried pretty much all day on and off.

Sorry, I know it’s stressful. I felt like I couldn’t go anywhere. It wouldn’t be relaxing to just go for a coffee for example because he’d be crying. Other people’s babies would just be happy chilling.

It will get better though.

It's normal. Totally, absolutely normal. Crying is the only way they can communicate their needs! How else will they tell you when they don't like something, they are cold, want to be held, hungry, thirsty, or just tired? They cry. It's not a bad thing, it's just how they get their needs met.
I felt like my eldest cried WAY more than anyone else's baby, but actually she was always good when we were around others so they probably thought the exact same of me. Don't be fooled and don't compare. It's the worst thing you can do!
Also just to say where on earth did you hear they stop crying after 3 months? That's utter bollocks.
My 4 year old still cries on a daily basis 🤣

They do go through lots of phases where crying etc is better / worse. And babies are all different!

As long as it's not constant, sustained crying that you can't console (in which case see your GP) then it's normal xxx

Mine went through a similar phase around that age too. He’s just turned 17 weeks now and it’s really settled. He got better when he was more able to grab at toys/teething toys/pram and car seat dangly toys etc he’s also noticed the mirror in the car and he’s much more chilled out and about. He used to cry a lot in the car if I was on my own with him and nobody was in the back to keep him occupied.

I think it’s because he’s able to entertain himself a bit now so he’s a lot more content. He’s also teething though so I do still have some bad days but on the whole hes much cheerier.

Crying is their way to communicate
They will continue to cry forever
Toddlers scream and tantrum
Teenagers swear and stomp

Totally normal. Although I am always perplexed why we tell new parents it gets better at 12 weeks. In my experience (2x DC, one who is currently 16 weeks) age 3-6 months is a really tricky phase. DC2, who was a pretty easy newborn become a lot more difficult at 12 weeks. They are frustrated and fussy about being more aware but still completely unable to interact with their environment. Stuff happens to them and they have literally no idea when, how or why.

DS1 was an extremely fussy baby and he started tolerating all modes of transport at about 5-6 months, so much so I was out a lot with him as he did a complete 360 and was a lot better out of the house then in!

I think it's more that the colicky screaming for hours on end tends to tail off at this point. Normal grumpy crying and whinging continues for quite some time I'm afraid.

@Rainbowboy23 did this get better please? In the thick of it with my 14week old DS who fusses, moans or cries 24/7 unless feeding, sleeping, or on the go while being held.

@Dawn20200 my daughter cried for 16-20h a day and was in my arms 23h a day at 3 months. At nearly 5 months she was diagnosed with severe silent reflux and multiple food allergies. Within a week we were seeing improvements but it took a long time to figure out her allergies and get her on the right combination of reflux treatment.

Totally normal I'm afraid. Don't compare him to other babies though as you don't spend 24/7 with them and they will probably be just as bad at 3am.

They’re meant to stop crying at 3 months!!?? Tell that to my 8 month old who has been grizzling and crying the whole day today (teethy, slightly constipated and on the verge of crawling so very frustrated with himself!) 😂 I think they cry over most things until around a year maybe?
And after that they still cry pretty often! Think I’ve had tears at least 5 or 6 times today from my 3 year old (once because I flushed the toilet instead of him, once because I put jam on his toast after he asked for it…the list continues!)