Nearly 12 weeks old screams in pram

[Peanutbaby24]

Hi all

I wonder if anyone can help as I’m getting desperate.

My nearly 12 week old has always been a heavy crier since they were born, but one thing that used to always be able to calm them down was taking them out for a walk in their pram. They would almost always fall asleep or at least stop crying.

But in the last few weeks, suddenly they have developed a hatred of the pram. The minute I put them in it, they start crying, and get themselves so hysterical and worked up that I have to pick them up. As soon as I pick them up they calm down (but only if I hold them facing outwards - that’s literally the only thing that calms them down). I tried using a baby carrier and they accept that a little more but the problem is that I live in a very hot country and it’s just not practical to have them out in the baby carrier during the day (hard to keep them protected from the sun and not over-heated, and also I just get soo hot and sweaty). And equally I can’t carry them in my arms while out for a walk as they won’t be protected from the heat / sun (and also that’s not sustainable for long periods of time!).

I have the Uppababy Cruz and had been using the bassinet part, but recently switched to the stroller part and bought the newborn insert. I thought that would as they would be able to see out more than in the bassinet. But no - exact same issue, constant cries.

So now at the point where I can’t even get out for a walk anymore as they get themselves soo worked up and hysterical. Getting outside the house was the only thing keeping me sane during these horrendously difficult weeks since they were born so I’m just feeling very low and trapped that my one last coping mechanism has gone.

Sorry for the massive essay / rant. Not really sure what I’m looking for - maybe just some words of wisdom or advice if anyone has been in a similar situation!

At 12 weeks I was taking my sling with me too and within a few minutes she was always in the sling. On one wall two older ladies got very excited that I might have 2 babies but sadly my pram was more of a shopping basket!
Around 15 weeks she fell asleep in the pram on our way to a class and from 5 months she started routinely falling asleep in the pram and from 6 months to 3years it was the most reliable way of me getting her to sleep especially once I stopped breastfeeding.

Ooh this gives me a lot of hope! I’m really hoping it’s just a phase 🙏 thank you for sharing your experience it really helps to know I’m not alone!

And yes to the shopping basket! At least it has some use these days haha

What about going for a walk specifically at nap time? Might be more likely to drop off x

Is it wind/that they don't like being flat in their back? Maybe try putting a rolled-up blanket under the mattress of the pram to slightly elevate the head and chest. Worked for us.

Do they have a dummy? Mine both cried in the pram without a dummy but were fine with one and would usually drop off to sleep.

Thank you for your reply!

I have tried that but the problem is that they are super hard to get to nap. Normally requires lots of bouncing and rocking to get her to drop off. The pram used to make her drop off but now it’s so much harder and requires a lot of effort and holding!

Yes we have a dummy that we have used since a few days old. She is somewhat addicted to her dummy I think 🙈 but it is so impossible to soothe her without it.

When she cries in the pram I keep stopping to put the dummy back in every few minutes. Sometimes it calms her for a few seconds but then the crying starts again.

I guess I need to persevere!

Yes, this is normal, honestly. Both of mine were like this as tiny newborns and then they get older and get used to it and 'recognise' the dummy and take comfort in it. Then they get older again and sit up and don't need it all the time etc. Its just a season, newborn babies are biologically programmed to want to be suckling at her mother basically 100 per cent of the time. So the dummy just mimics that somewhat and provides them with the comfort they need.

I used slings at that age with all of mine. You can get clip on fans for baby carriers, neck fans are good. You could put a muslin between you and baby to help keep cool, those water spray cans recommended for labour are good to keep cool too. And importantly, try a summer weight sling. Gauze or linen wraps. I had a solar weave connecta for summer, don't know if they are still going but there will be others if not. Also you can carry a parasol instead of an umbrella for shade, and lots of slings have sun hoods. Maybe try joining a baby wearing forum or Facebook group for advice. Also have you tried really aggressive white/pink/brown noise for the pram? That settled one of mine. He didn't want the gentle stuff, the harsher sounder the faster he soothed. You can get portable white noise machines that clip to the pram.

Thank you! You are right that it is all totally normally and just need to accept that.

Just slightly missing the early sleepy weeks where I could take her out in the pram and she’d just happily nap away haha.

Hey, thank you this is all really useful advice that I hadn’t thought of! Will definitely look into different ways I can protect from the sun in the carrier.

And yes good point about the white noise - I find the noisier the better as well but never thought of getting something for the pram!