Baby won’t stop crying

[pinkflower223]

Baby is five months he’s always been a very relative “good” baby very calm barely cries, the last two/three weeks he’s cried from the moment he’s woke up till the moment he sleeps, I did notice a tooth had come through about and week and half ago, which i understand is probably why he is reacting this way, I just feel like I can’t cope I’ve tried everything to soothe him and help but nothing seems to work, I get very overstimulated with the screaming and he won’t be put down, I’ve very impatient and quick to anger, I would never in my wildest dreams harm him but I do shout, and then it eats me alive for days but it more comes from a place of fear and feeling out of control and feeling like I don’t know what I’m doing and it scares me, please send tips to help as feeling like an awful parent to him and really makes me doubt myself😭

I would assume pain and take him to gp for a proper physical examination.

GP asap. Have you given calpol? If it’s teething that would usually help

And don’t shout! Put him somewhere safe and walk away for a few minutes.

@Leopardspotawill book him in, the thing is he’s absolutely fine if he distracted or I put something on for him to watch not the best I know but only thing he remains somewhat calm with, he’s developed a huge frustration for being on the floor in any type of way as he’s currently trying to crawl but not there yet and it makes him extremely frustrated but will be absolutely fine if you pick him up or put him in a rocker, but I know it’s not good nor healthy for him to be stuck in a rocker nor will he develop and practice the crawling but I just don’t know what to do.

Ohhh this was my baby. Just cried and cried for hours. GP said it was ‘purple crying’ which I read about after googling, but it didn’t help much to be honest (of course I was glad it wasn’t something serious) Many days I just sat and cried with him! I can’t remember when it stopped - but it did stop. Please please be kind to your mind. I know how over stimulating it is - it is awful. It is draining. I kept repeating to myself - it is just a stage. I think I did some massage on his tummy which probably made zero difference but at least made me feel like I was ‘doing something’. This is super hard and will test your strength. But you can do it. Sending you love!!!!

Contact the health visitor team and ask for extra support and advice. Specifically mention feeling overstimulated by the crying.

When you feel impatient and angry rising the best thing to do is put baby down in a safe place e.g an empty cot. Go and have five 10 minutes break to calm down and then try again.

Being held and cuddled and distracted with lots of toys or touch and feel book will help with the crying.

If teething is the main issue a water filled teether that can go it the fridge will help. Any safe object they can put in their mouth like a wooden cooking spoon.

But number one thing to do is make a GP appointment. They will normally see a baby under six months the same day. You say this is out of character and even with teething it sounds like a bit change. You need to just get baby checked over and make sure there is not any other underlying issue causing pain. Fingers crossed it’s all fine. Then you can make a plan to get yourself some support for dealing with the crying and teething. It’s ok to ask for support and it’s also the responsible thing to do so don’t worry that you will be judged.

also is he getting enough sleep? My baby cries when he’s put down in the evening before bed, he likes to be held from 6-630 but is then fine in the bath. You could try to give him longer naps. Also, make sure he’s getting plenty of fresh air.

Just read your update - I think I ended up carrying my baby around a lot. Just because if i was touching him he would often stop crying. At this point maybe use the rocker - and just trying to give him dedicated floor time e.g 3 lots of 30 mins a day or something.

of course this is after going to GP - and asking for extra support is a great idea. I wish I had done that

The most common reason for a baby to cry is hunger. Having said that, if your baby is fed, changed, etc., and still cries put him somewhere safe and comfortable and have five minutes to gather yourself. He won’t come to any harm from crying and he might settle. Sometimes we faff about too much with a crying baby and it over stimulates them.

@Leopardspotayeah he sleeps quite well to be honest, we put him down at around 7/8pm and he’ll sleep till 8/9am with waking up for a feed around 1am, but he will only take short 20 minute naps throughout the day but it has always been that way no matter how much I’ve tried scheduled napping, and we regularly get out which sometimes makes me worried that maybe we actually are doing to much and he’s overstimulated so he doesn’t know how to relax when we’re just at home as he’s nowhere near as bad when we’re are out and about and relatively happy so I do feel like I may have accidentally caused him to not know how to relax at home or even potentially know how to soothe himself if he feels slightly bored.

He’s also slightly developed a bit of clinginess I have noticed if he sees me leave the room he will get visibly upset x

Agree on getting a GP appointment and explaining that it is very out of character. If you’re sure he’s not hungry (I found that hunger is the cry that gets really intense when they’re put down and stops when you pick them up) then have you tried putting him in a wrap or baby carrier and going about your business? It’s much easier to live as you’re hands free so feel less like your activity is just holding the baby. They can get cosy and sleep on you as well - at 5 months my baby was having most day naps in the carrier on me.

Regarding your comment about 20 minute naps in day - my baby had a phase of only napping 30 minutes in cot but would nap for literally hours in the carrier. I would perch myself on the top of the couch (so as to keep the “standing” posture in my torso) and watch TV with captions 😆 maybe longer day naps will help. Perhaps his long sleeps with one wake up is meaning he isn’t getting enough milk in?

@Bloodyscarymaryno definitely not hungry he drinks alot and quite regular but on that hand he has always been a very hungry baby i definitely notice he is getting very interested in food though i dont know if that would impact his mood though, i will give that a try thank you!

I agree with the carrier, my baby spent most of the day in a carrier til about 6/7 months. They just want to be near you. Are you getting out and about where possible? Mine has always fussed way more at home but been fine out and about.

Honestly sounds like quite a normal phase if he is only crying when you're trying to put him down etc. I carried my three everywhere at that age as they were exactly the same. If he's sleeping well at night and is distractable by playing/ cuddling id assume he is fine and just a normal baby that wants cuddles

That said, it is completely overwhelming and you're not alone in feeling how you do. Try and fill your cup a bit, do you have a partner who can take over in evenings/ mornings so you can rest/ gym/ whatever makes you feel good. Don't be afraid to reach out to your HV or a friend for support. Everyone loses their cool now and again, don't beat yourself up

@Happytap yes I’m very lucky with my support system and partner will take him for me, I just really am struggling with the mum guilt more than anything no one prepares you for how guilty you feel for every little thing, it’s an awful feeling!

Has he got a baby gym? This sort of thing?
Look at this product that I found on google.com https://share.google/S5q5RrZt0rcB8WvQI

If so, time under that while you go into another room.
Do you have a garden? If so , put him in his pram in the garden and let him look at the leaves and the sky. Come inside and breathe.

If you think he's teething, then a dose of calpol and some teething gel on his gums.

But I agree with others, get the gp to check him over if it's new and different.

GP to check overall and especially for ears and tonsils although unlikely if he's sleeping through.
Start weaning - six months is a guide and if your baby is very hungry he may be ready.
Don't underestimate teething pain although again he'd likely not sleep through. It was brought home to me when my toughie who was already playing rugby at 7 sat in the corner of the sofa whimpering with pain as a molar cut through. With hindsight more calpol would have been a blessing when he was a baby.
DD cried constantly until she was about four unless part of her was touching me. It was the way she was but again with hindsight it was anxiety linked and ot fell into place when she was diagnosed with deoression and anxiety aged about 16. Consistency is key.

So in summary:
GP
Wean
Consistency

This too shall pass but meanwhile you need some time for you to help you to deal with it.

It doesn’t sound like he’s over stimulated, but short naps might be causing him to be a bit tired. Keep persevering, my first baby also had short naps at 6 months ish but I’m pretty sure that after a while they lengthened naturally (joining sleep cycles).

if he’s happy in the pram that’s great. I don’t think you Should do that less.

you might find that a hip carrier in the house helps you get a few jobs done while carrying him. My babies went through a phase where I carried them round a lot.

I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong! The main thing with babies/ toddlers is that everything is a phase that feels like it will never end. But it’s best to check with the GP that he isn’t in pain.

ive always found teething powder works
really well, although I’ve no idea why. It’s called Ashton and parsons.

The things we do to keep our babies happy!

Reading through your updates. A clingy stage is normal and will pass eventually.

They do get fairly frustrated when they are trying to learn a new skill. During tummy time, put down as many exciting things as possible. Plastic cups/containers, a scrunchie crisp packet. (obviously supervised) Aim to make the floor more exciting so he doesn’t notice at first that he is in a position he hates. Put things just out of reach to encourage movement.

Some babies don’t go in for crawling (mine never crawled) and prefer to be supported to practice putting pressure on their feet, pulling up on furniture and walking holding hands. So maybe intersperse some of that with tummy time or supported sitting.

Calpol, calpol, calpol. The first 2 teeth come in quick succession, so if tooth no.1 is out then tooth no.2 is coming imminently.

And if he's teething, don't try weaning early, they don't eat anything when they're in pain anyway.

Lots of carrying baby in baby carrier.

I would stay home more, mine definitely got overstimulated at that age if we went out too much. He was a lot more aware than at 3-4 months. Quick walk in the morning, a baby class mid morning, home from lunch time onwards, walk in the evening.

Absolutely with you! I know it doesnt help hopefully other than knowing you are not alone (your post helped me!). It doesnt seem to matter what I do, im met with screaming and clinginess atm. Im obsessive about naps, he feeds well, nappies changed regularly and not teething. We walk, swim, car, floor time, bouncer - he screams. Put him down to go to the loo - he screams. I can't get a drink or anything to eat without him screaming. Will only contact nap.
We always do what we think is best for them, even it the response still isnt working for them.
Overstimulated is a really good way to put it. Some babies are more difficult than others - we dont love them any more or less, but there is a huge difference!
Do what you can to eliminate causes, but ride it through (earbuds have become my best friend).
Sending my thoughts and really hope it's a phase and the teething remedoes help. X

Have you checked for lactose intolerance? My son was very uncomfortable because of that. Once we switched for hypoallergenic formula he was much better. FYI he didn’t have signs that kids usually have like rash, diarrhoea etc but his growth has also slowed down.