I'm going mad - five month old won't stop screaming and crying!

[Sevendayhigher]

Hi everyone,

Our DS is five months old and will not stop screaming at the top of his lungs and crying wherever he's put. It's angry/frustrated screaming and crying, like sharp shrieks that end in wails and tantrums essentially. He flails his arms and kicks his legs. The only time he stops is when he's being held and moved around the room, or stood up by one of us. In the pram he's also fine (but only when we're moving!)

Tummy time is the worst - he instantly cries and shrieks like he's furious with us. He's desperately kicking his legs, flailing and lifting his bottom as if to want to crawl but he WILL NOT BE QUIET 😂It's driving me and DH nuts!!

He is teething quite severely so we're doing everything we possibly can for that (gel, nurofen when very much needed etc), plus he has CMPA (he's on prescription milk which resolved the problem instantly when he was switched to it). But basically it just seems like he's screaming out of frustration/boredom because he does stop when he's shown new things and is distracted. For example, right now as I'm typing, he's in my lap and has thankfully stopped because he's watching me do it. Other ladies in my antenatal group have been surprised by how unsettled he seems and I know what they mean - of course all babies have their moments but I've seen that theirs can play quietly/nicely with something for at least 10 minutes before screaming to be put somewhere else. Our baby honestly lasts 10 seconds before flying into a rage (we've timed it...) I've even worried that it may indicate something about his mental health for the future, as we do have a history of issues in both our families. Obviously we're not jumping to any conclusions.

Can anyone tell me of their experiences of this, including when it stopped for you?? I'm trying to put him on his tummy as much as possible to encourage him to start crawling - I know that has its own world of issues but I just want the screaming to stop haha!

What formula has your wee one been put on? My son was put on nutramigen which solved the problem with his bowels somewhat settled the crying but he still cried for hours everyday he was on omeprazole as well he also has awful eczema because his bowels had improved the gp was happy the problem was solved and he was kept in nutramigen and we just got told some babies just cry a lot dietician called us at 6 months to talk about weaning and asked how he was doing and I explained he still cried for hours every day she decided to trial him on neocate and within 3 weeks he was a different baby the crying stopped and his skin was fully better after 6 weeks on neocate. We were able to wean him off omeprazole and he’s just a different baby now I used to dread people saying “is he a good baby” I used to be like not really he’s a bit shit now I can happily say he’s the happiest baby

My baby had reflux so tummy time was not an option and lying down wasn’t good as she threw up every time. I started trying to practice sitting in each wake window (as well as continuing tummy time on a cushion) and once she could sit independently she was happy with toys (unless she tipped over). She did crawl weirdly as she learned to crawl from sitting, but she’s 13 months now, zooms about and can stand and walk with a walker so not concerned!

also, have you tried the dancing fruits on YouTube? It saved me until ms Rachel became a favourite!

Hello , sorry to hear this. My friend’s baby would constantly cry and iirc would only stop when held. I believe he had undiagnosed reflux.

You, Mamma, are amazing! its so hard as sometimes babies do just go through a phase of being generally unhappy with growing and every baby is different. My third was a total grump with anyone other than me - so long as I was interacting with her she was fine but if I had to go out she'd drive me husband to despair (and being a third it wasn't as if we were new to it!). Couple of things as I've just skim read the other replies - firstly, it would be worth getting a once over by the GP but I'm guessing they'll just tell you they can't find anything obvious. Also get in touch with your health visitor and ask them to come and do a visit to the house so they can see baby in his natural environment and spend some time watching whats going on as they may have some insight into what's causing him his problems - there is a chance he's showing early signs of something (what you describe reminds me of my nephew as a baby who later on was diagnosed with autism and suddenly his sensory discomfort all made sense but as I say my youngest was the same and is now a lovely little 9 year old). Its also worth considering what washing liquid/power/fabric softener you're using (I can only use non-bio baby stuff as my girls get mild but irritating contact rashes with anything else). Hope that helps? but remember that 'growing' can be uncomfortable and some kids suffer from growing pains so it could be something as simple as this xx

put them in seamless clothes and remove any labels on them and pick a softer material. Make sure their nappy isn’t too big or too tight or bothering them, it might if he sits down but not when he’s being held.

Totally agree. What you are describing is pain op.

CMPA often comes alongside other allergies. Soya is a common one, but others too.

The first line of hypoallergenic milks still have some allergens in them. Some babies with CMPA are okay with it, some are not.

There is another formula that is better for some babies. It’s been a while, I think it’s called hydrolysed milk.

Take baby to the dr, could be ear infection or uti.

Reflux is also a possibility.

My son was very similar, he was finally diagnosed with reflux. I dont know if that could be a possibility?

Sorry i replied before i read other comments. It sounds like it could be reflux as other people have also said. Keeping him upright helps aswell as medication and gaviscon. I was told to wean off milk at 5 months because it caused his reflux to be so bad

First stop is the dr.

then if all is fine you have to realize a lot of this is a you problem. Babies communicate through screams and cries, if the volume is too loud put in some ear plugs. And there are different cries, but you even say it’s frustration, so if it’s not need or pain, he’s just communicating- then distract and engage him, and dull the noise for your sanity.

he’s still little. I know you want to put him down and have a break, but unfortunately that’s not how this works! They are the boss for the first year! And he’s demanding engagement. And yeah, you’ll probably have your hands full growing up! But I also know the chillest baby that turned into the most high maintenance teen, so you may be in the clear!

loop is a ear plug brand that markets to parents, the cheap work foam earplugs block a little less- and are cheap. But they talk about how good it can be.

and before anyone gets mad, you still have to watch your child, but you don’t need to lose your hearing.

My baby was very much like this from birth. She eventually reduced the constant crying at 6 months and by 9/10 months was a very content baby. She’s now 15 months and is very easy going and happy providing she’s fed and not feeling under the weather. She’s also very smart(not just my option, HV and nursery have said too) and I think the biggest problem before was that she was easily frustrated when she couldn’t move around or grab something she wanted. I didn’t believe it would ever get better but she’s a totally different baby now.

@Sevendayhigher I read your title and immediately thought your baby must have CMPA. (Mine did)

I am going to guess your doctor prescribed nutrimigen, aptamil Pepti or another hydrolysed formula. Our
doctor did and we had a calm baby, for a few weeks. Until the non stop crying started again. Through research we eventually found out these hydrolysed formulas still have milk in just extensively broken down. Over time of being on the nutrimgen the milk had built up in his system and he’d started screaming again.

you need an amino acid formula such as neocate or alfamino. These have zero milk in. My little one was a completely different baby after this milk.

Also, I’m going to go against the grain an say through my journey of non stop screaming I’ve learned my LO never cried for no reason. He is the happiest little guy now. I’ve gone from a baby who screamed and screamed, need constant distractions and playing with (I was scared to go out in public incase the screaming started) to a super chilled baby.

Good luck.

My autistic child was like this as a baby.

My son was like this, we thought it was colic as he’d scream for hours but colic remedies made him poo several times a day and slowed his weight gain so we stopped them and nothing changed except he started gaining weight again!

We had to walk him around the house in the carrier/park for hours every afternoon. He hated the pram too, until he was able to be in the seat part and could see what was happening!

It got better when he could sit up and even more so once he could cruise furniture and get himself around a bit more.

He’s got an ADHD and ASD diagnosis now and is a mostly happy, but very active, 7 year old. He needs to be able to move when he needs to move. I’ve looked at some studies (limited and very small at the moment) that do say children later diagnosed with ADHD can have his type of behaviour as babies.

DD was a totally different baby and was happy to be in the pram/rocket/playgym.

I’ve been there when they are screaming constantly at you, it’s hard but it will get better. My son is mostly lovely these days and an amazing big brother.

dont Put him on tummy time. I don’t even know what the big deal is with tummy time. He might have a sore tummy so doesn’t like it. You’ll have to hold him I’m afraid. He might want attachment. I held mine all day long, always wanted to be held. Screamed all the time. Teething was horrendous. She was diagnosed autistic aged 5.

do what you need to do, hold him, let him sleep on you, carry him in the sling, push him in the pram. It will go faster than yoy think. Less screaming meant I was happier mum. Tired but happier. Don’t listen to the rules of sleeping, holding, tummy time etc. doesn’t make an ounce of difference and makes your life worse. Good luck

How incredibly difficult for you. It doesn't seem fair does it, poor mite.

You don't say what medical routes you have pursued, but do persist. There will be a reason for this.

Ds1 was very similar
He had had an assisted venteuse birth, and eventually we tried cranial osteopathy. After the first treatment we had peace forr a fortnight. The second treatment took the screaming away completely.

Then ds2 arrived and cranial osteopathy had no effect on him at all. Colief helped enormously - we used it for 13 months - every feed. If we missed a feed then he was back to screaming.

Definitely agree with the pp who said cut out tummy time for now. Has your gp ruled out silent reflux/CMPA etc?