I'm going mad...

[siennamaeb]

I feel so horrendous for even doing this thread but I need to vent so badly... my DD (who is almost a month old) is honestly driving me crazy. She goes hours on end of crying, only at night times (I'm guessing this is colic) and I'm getting zero sleep. Tonight she cried for 4 hours continuously. I almost lost my cool with her and I can't even believe I'm saying that. I feel so ashamed of it but I'm a single full time mum, it's literally just me doing it all and I'm not getting a break. I feel like I'm going insane honestly, i just really want and need a break from her. I feel like a terrible parent. Please give me advice on how to handle this because I'm struggling.

I feel your pain, it is so hard especially with colic. Are you giving her anything for it? I’d try swaddling and a dummy even some white noise, it’s so calming for babies. I know sleep deprivation is sooo hard but try to remember she’s not doing it on purpose and she is probably exhausted herself. Could you co sleep? Hope things improve soon x

Have you been to the doctors for possible renatidine or baby gaviscon? Get an appointment! Are you holding her up after feeds as lying flat aggravates it.
Are you formula or breast feeding as removing milk/dairy from your diet if bf might help! All worth a try!
Have you elevated one end of the cot?
This is so tough but remember it will pass! You are not the only one enduring this stage! Xxx

If you reach the point you can’t cope make sure your baby is safe in cot or similar, leave the room, go somewhere quiet and take 10 breaths. I read that on here when I had a newborn and it really helps. We all get driven to the brink it’s not just you!

Also have snacks at nighttime if you’re having to stay up, it helps you stay rational!

I've been giving her colic drops but it doesn't seem to do much. I'm bottle feeding her, an easy to digest formula. I was breastfeeding but it didn't work out as she had difficulty latching on. She hadn't had a poo for 3 days last night and I think she was constipated as she was straining but nothing was coming out but she had a poo this morning so maybe that will help!

Constipation is the worst! Poos bring joy!
IF she is still unsettled do visit your doctor for help!!! You aren’t alone!

Mine did a lot of straining to poo at that age but HV said it wasn’t constipation as poo was soft, just that he was still learning to co-ordinate his body. If you google infant dyschezia you can see more about it. It was worst around 4-6 weeks and then it improved and he grew out of it completely by about 9 weeks.

I breastfeed my baby (not sure if this made a difference) but every evening from 4/5ish until 10/11ish she used to cry and be so fussy. I think it was just cluster feeding and called 'the witching hour(s!!!)'
This went on for a good few weeks.
Sorry no good advice to give other than it is just a phase and will pass.
I know how hard it is when you're going through it though, sorry you are having a hard time x

I also thought it could be colic and gave her the infacol drops but they didn't make a difference so stopped giving them to her. In the end it was just a combination of feeding her, standing up and bouncing and rocking her, trying all different positions and keep repeating until she went asleep