Hand hold… exhausted with newborn

[HEIHEI23]

We have a 5 week old baby who is formula fed with a couple of bottles of breast milk and the rest formula. He has always been waking 2/3 hourly but the past week he has been struggling with wind/constipation and has been up most of the night. Me and my husband try to split shifts but we are just both so exhausted we end up helping each other out. I’m meant to be asleep until 2am now but he was really struggling with the screaming so I’ve taken over. I’m sat in tears on the floor of the baby’s room just wondering how much longer I can do this for. It feels like it will never get better and I’m so worried I’ll end up with PND from lack of sleep (I’ve previously had mental health issues). Please tell me it gets better?

I don't have any advice but just wanted to let you know you're not alone. Currently sat here with my 6 week old baby feeling exactly the same as you and it's very tough. I do believe it will get better xx

It does get better OP. Has baby got some infacol for the wind issue? I found it to be so helpful. Is he your first baby? The newborn stage is hard. From around 12 weeks IMO it gets a little easier.

sleep when baby sleeps if you can. The newborn days are relentless but be kind to yourself.

caffiene and alcohol can be big triggers for wind xx

We’ve been giving him infacol since week 2 which did help for a bit. Yes first baby who we wanted so badly and I feel awful for feeling so frustrated and down about it. Thank you! Will try to avoid them as much as possible.

Bless you both @HEIHEI23 @minnieot ... been where you are now. Baby's now 10 months old and I remember those days so well. Just like you id come on here when the nights felt so long and lonely for a handhold. I know it may not feel like it, but it will pass and it will get better.

In terms of advice, have you tried Infacol? A few drops of that in every bottle really helped with wind for my LO. I expected it to work instantly but after a few days I did see a difference. My LO does have CMPA so she had symptoms constantly and they were extreme but in the majority of cases Infacol, warm baths (helps soothe their stomach) and rocking motions (in the pram) help. Obviously if baby falls asleep in the pram but then back in their crib due to risk of SIDS. Also, doing cycles with their legs helps, it causes them to fart.

Alternatively, if it's really bad some people try the Frida Windi thing that helps get all of it out - a bit intrusive but apparently works... I didn't try it but it's an option if you're comfortable with that

In terms of the lack of sleep... the above things will provide temp relief but unfortunately the early days are so hard and I think readjusting your expectations is important as you literally have to just ride it out.

If it gets unbearable I'm sure the doctor will be able to prescribe something to help ... all the best I hope it improves for you.

I feel like my DD's newborn stage was a blur now and I wish I got to enjoy it more but because of her milk allergies it was so so so hard. Hopefully it's more temporary for you

@HEIHEI23 just noticed you have tried Infacol. Gripe water is another one but baby has to be four months for that. Try to be consistent with z Infacol if you're not already if you can - as I noticed it only made a difference when we were consistent with it.

Infacol
Bicycles
Warm baths before bed
Pram rocking back and forth
White noise (the noise soothes them when they have colic - search 'white noise baby colic' on YouTube
Also having baby face down in your lap and rubbing their back or rubbing clockwise on their tummy can help - all of which is so hard when you're so sleep deprived but it's the only way to give them some relief which allows you to get some sleep x

It’s terrible, I have a 6 weeks old and the screaming can be unbearable…however, 5 weeks is peak colic time! The last couple of days, my baby was already doing better. You might be very close to turning a corner. Colic usually starts to subside by 6 weeks until it’s gone by 12 weeks. Tell yourself that you’re almost there, it can get better anytime now.

Apparently infacol can make things worse if there's any reflux.

Gripe water was our saviour!!

It really does get better OP, I promise!!

I was going to suggest gripe water too, or have you tried a small bit of another formula? I know they are all supposed to be the same, but my DD didn’t get on with aptamil and was find with others.

Definitely try gripe water.

We used to wind our children literally all the time, not just after feeding as we had very windy babies (midwives told us lol ) so after a lot of crappy nights and colic, we literally held and winded, lots of bouncing them up and down, constantly rubbing over their back to bring up wind
Good luck it really does get better