6 day old won’t stop crying

[redxlondon]

It’s 2am. He’s not stopped crying since 9pm… I took over from sh at midnight … has been formula fed hourly and breast fed when I woke up… seems to now be okay if he’s lying on me but won’t sleep. Must be so tired. He hasn’t had a poo for 9 hours (did 5 earlier in day) - could it be that?!

I don't think it will be the time since his last poo. He could just be overtired now, hopefully he will sleep for you soon.

If it continues then possibly cmpa

Yes! Very likely! Get some safe oil and gently massage his belly from top to bottom. Run his back as well. Poor darling, could be constipated. At that age my girl pooped every 3 hours!.

Or just needs contact? Some babies need to feel close and need comfort to sleep especially when they are so so tiny. Hopefully everything is ok now!

Probably wants to bf? He will want to feed for comfort and it increases supply. Presumably he doesn't cry when feeding?

Giving formula messes with supply, if you want to bf it is best not to use formula.

Is the crying accompanied by writhing, kicking? That’s gas if so.

could you try rocking and walking around with him, that might remind him of the womb.

I had the same op! In our case it was colic and reflux making her upset. She is nine weeks now and settled down a ton. Those first few weeks my back was broken pacing the floors with her as she wasn’t happy unless she was in my arms, but she still screamed regardless. It’s really tough! The bouncer helped sometimes!

Could he have reflux? If he's settle while on you it could be the upright position is helping keep acid down. Could you ever do slightly incline his cot? X

Just keep cuddling. If that stops her crying that's what she needs right now. I know it's exhausting (7 week old here!) but it'll get better. You're doing a great job

It's unlikely for a 6 day old to be struggling yet with reflux or CMPA. Do you mean the baby is fine if he's being held and cries when he is put down? If so that is completely normal. Babies are programmed to want to be in contact with you at all times.

It could be colic / intolerance / gas.
Try a tummy massage, bicycle legs and knees to chest.
I hope it passes.

After 2 weeks my newborn was the same. DC had Silent reflux and colic and would often cry all day. One time it was 11am - 12am!!! It is exhausting. Only got better once on solids at 4.5months.

But I did find tummy massage and cycle legs and knees to chest helped a bit.

If you are concerned get HV to pop round or take to your GP usually they have a womans and children specialist there.

Agree at 2yrs DC is still clingy and very very affectionate needs lots if cuddles and touch. I got used to it and just baby weared. Front and back and thats where DC was happiest.
At night it was hard but me and DH took in turns and I found nursing thenmost comforting for DC.

Try skin to skin in a warm bath will help .

Empathy!!

It’s very unlikely that it’s because he hasn’t done a poo in 9 hours, especially as he’s already done 5. The first few days they tend to poo a lot and then it eases off to maybe 1-2 a day.

Are you getting all his wind up? It could just be that’s he’s out in the big wide world and needs to be close to you for comfort, it could be reflux. How much is he having each feed? Hourly feeding is quite a lot, is he waking for that or are you just feeding him? My daughter had reflux caused by the type of bottle, once we switched bottles she was fine. It’s really hard to start with as you get to know your baby you’re doing great though.

If you are wanting to breastfeed you need to stop the formula so you can build your supply up at this stage.

Thanks all of the messages of support.

He’s been very settled since about 5am. A couple of things:

• I’ll try the massage and cycling legs today
• will get some colic drops in, just in case
• i I had an extremely brutal section, we introduced formula as a way for me to try and get a few hours of recovery sleep - please no judgement!!!!!!!!! I’ve also been very anxious and have history of depression so trying to share feeding with partner.
• He’s wanting the feeds - not waking him up hourly. He cluster feeds in the evening.
• he dropped 10% birth weight so midwife said we had to top up with formula after each breastfeed. Not sure this is the best advice as this is when he was sick.

Please don't feel guilty about the formula. Yes i know the benefits of breast feeding but i was increasing the risk of harm from
an underfed baby and a very stressed tired mum by resisting it, and my little chap is doing really well with combining feeding. You've just got to do what you can

Absolutely no judgement whatsoever re the formula feeding but just be aware that night time feeding in the early days is pretty essential to establish milk supply, so you may find it difficult to continue breastfeeding long term if you carry on with that.

Whether you're doing bottle or boob, burp him every 1-2 minutes. This is more often than lots of advice but leads to very happy tummies for little ones :) see if it makes a difference after a day or so of consistent frequent winding at each feed. You can unlatch him using your pinkie finger in the corner of his mouth.