He won't stop screaming

[roslily]

My 17 week old ds. He had calmed down about from the colic, and we had a good couple of weeks, and now the lst two days, he just screams and screams. I wonder if he is teething, but I have given him calpol, ashton and parsons and dentinox, doesn;t seem to make much difference.

We are taking turns holding him, but it makes no difference (rocking, sling, pram etc).

It is horrible, I am losing the will to live.

[BlueBumedFly]

I agree with Duende, my DD had reflux and Gaviscon did nothing apart from constipate her. We were presecribed.... hmmm, something else.... let me check what.

Anyway, its a nightmare for the poor babies,that burning acid coming up into their throats made worse when upset etc. Will check out what we were given.

[duende]

Roslily, you're probably fed up with me saying this on your every thread, but please, please persevere with the reflux possibility.
when my DS's reflux is under control, he's a happy, content, chilled baby with happy and chilled parents. our house is clean ad tidy, we cook nice meals and see people. When it gets out of control, DS screams the whole time and we just try to survive... the house is a tip, we're both depressed, don't even attempt going out, etc.

From what I've read, only a small number of babies with reflux will be better on gaviscon alone. My DS is only ok when on the right dose of omperazole (losec) and we are now also investigating cow milk protein intolerance. He has been on CMP free milk for a few days and seems to be getting a bit better (hope I don't jinx it!).

When your DS screams, does he seem worse when on his back?
he may also suffer from lactose intolerance or other type of allergy. He is obviously in pain if he screams so much.
again, my sympathies. For me, the last 5 months have been the most difficult in my life.

[PacificDogwood]

I would second getting him checked out - even before your paeds appointment. If Gaviscon makes him constipated ask for him to be tried with Ranitidine: if it is reflux that upsets him, that would work really quite quickly.
Or, if Gaviscon works, try Lactulose for constipation.

Having said all that, DS1 was a screamer and almost pushed me over the edge . It was horrible and only improved after 6 months. He is now almost 7 years and is still a very highstrung/hysterical child. I now feel that a lot of his crying was frustration at not physically having been able to do things. DS2 was premature and had very definite reflux, but was much more mellow baby and did not scream much at all - go figure!!

My last ditch fail-proof method to get DS1 to calm down was to have him in the sling and walk: it had to be outside and at a brisk pace and for some time. There is a photo of him and me in the local park at 7am on Easter Sunday....

rosily, I know you know this too shall pass, but my sympathies in the meantime - it is just awful.

[thisisyesterday]

roslily, he sounds like my screaming baby, who turned out to be intolerant to dairy and egg- reacting through my milk

could that be a possibility?

[SleighGirl]

I would really recommend a cranial osteopath tbh

Also gaviscon can often take a few days to really work. Does that coincide with when the screaming had improved?

[FiveSoloRings]

James, no I personally didn't take it as critism I did just recall how it felt at the time...nightmare!

[roslily]

He has collapsed asleep now. I hope tomorrow is better and hope the paed clinic can help on 2nd feb

[Chaotica]

DS was prescribed lactulose and then senna (when the lactulose didn't work) at about 16w for constipation. He had reflux too (and I was on antibiotics which didn't help as it got into the milk).

I hope you get some peace and your DS gets some too.

[threetimemummy]

Um, not sure sorry! Am from OZ and not sure of the meds over here. I used coloxyl drops and parachoc for my boys? DO you hve those over here? NHS direct would be able to help I think?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Fivesolorings, oh I know, it wasn't a criticism of either of you honestly, just said it because sometimes in the thick of it it's hard to remember that it will pass. Knowing it will end can help you get through it.

Glad he's getting some sleep roslily, hope you have a better night.

[FiveSoloRings]

Is there no one from an ante natal/parent craft class that you have made friends with that could help? I wish I was nearby to help you. I really do.

[roslily]

leeds

[FiveSoloRings]

Where(ish)are you Rosily?

[roslily]

Thanks. Dunno what helps constipation in babies?

After screaming through a bath (normlly his fvourite thing to do) he has collapsed asleep. I gave him his dummy, which I had successfully got rid of, but at least he is settled. Very early bedtime for him, but he hasn't slept much today.

Will phone out of hours doctor later if he wakes up the same.

[threetimemummy]

CAn you not give the gaviscon AND something to help with the constipation? I think I would rather give him two meds than have him screaming in pain? Just a thought! But I had a reflux baby, so I know how hard it is!! Big un- MN-er hugs!!

[GrumpyWhenWoken]

Maybe an ear infection? That's really painful and you don't always notice till it bursts. I'd take him to the docs to check out.

[roslily]

Being upright doesn't help- being naked does! Doctors think he might have reflux, but will only give gaviscon which makes him constipated. Seem every doctor at my practice. Been referred to paed clinic but that not til 2nd Feb. I might have gone made by then.

No family ner by to take him, so just taking turns with DH,

I have tried tipping his cot to help, but he just ends up in a bundle at the bottom!

[SE22]

our ds had colic and it went on until he was four or five months. It was horrid for him and horrid for us as there was nothing we could do. Poor you - do try and have a break and I hope NHS direct help but I've never found them much use.
x

[threetimemummy]

Seriously sounds like reflux, honestly!!

Even if it is not time for a feed, give him one as the milk may help his poor throat.

And it can be reflux even without the vomitting - google silent reflux.

Keep him more upright and NOT laying down. This may also help!!

Good Luck!!

[FiveSoloRings]

James, I agree with you ~ it won't last, but it is all consuming whilst it is happening

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

If it's something like reflux he would settle more if you held him upright, does that seem to have any effect?

Try to stay calm, if your other half is there take it in turns to hold ds while the other has a break, even if you just stand outside the back door for a few minutes with a cuppa. This won't last, honestly!

[FiveSoloRings]

Can you get someone to come and take him for a while? does it help if you take him outside? my Dd used to sometimes stop for a while if I took her outside.

Rosily, it's really easy to get to that point. I actually started to shake Dd when she was 8 months(so I suppose it did continue, but not so bad or so continuously), but something made me stop just as I started. It frightened the crap out of me actually.
Is Dp helpful/supportive? I was on my own, so nowhere and no one to turn to for help.

Dd is a very healthy, happy and intelligent 3yo now btw

[roslily]

Thanks. I am getting to that point Fivesolorings.

I will call NHS direct. No temp, wet nappies, 2 normal pooey ones.

How long screaming well today- for the last 2 hours, with a couple of 10 min breaks, that seem to correlate to nothing me and dh do.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[FiveSoloRings]

You really do have my sympathy. My Dd screamed for a whole 6 and a half months non stop. I was at the edge.
She stopped when I weaned her. She had a rough, sandy type of poo which must've been causing her so much pain and was cushioned once I fed her solids.

See a doctor is my advice and if you can't do that, get some help from someone that can take Ds from you for a while. I was at the point of planning to kill myself and my two Dc's; don't let yourself get to that point ~ get help.