Four Month Old Suddenly Hysterical

[Rowlie]

My four month old LO has never been a crier, not even as a newborn. Grumbles and grizzles, but never that full on baby wail. Last night he woke and cried hysterically an hour after I put him down. Tonight he did it as soon as I put him to bed and then again an hour later. The only thing that calms him is feeding, but I know he’s not hungry as only wants to bf (not bottle), so presumably it’s comfort. Have also given him Calpol as thought initially he was in pain (I’ve only heard him cry like this previously at his jabs).

Now, do people this is his four month regression or could it be teething/earache? So far he has been fine in the day, his usual happy self (but lots of dribble/fisting which has been going on for ages now) which makes me think regression.

However, after the false starts he then does sleep a 5 hour stretch, wakes for feed, then a 2-3 hour stretch, feed, up between 6-8ish depending on when second feed is. So pretty manageable for us. He has been doing this pattern for weeks (usually 2 feeds per night and my DH has always done the first with formula since DS was small so we both get a good chunk of sleep).

Generally DS self settles for naps and at bedtime, but sometimes is fed to sleep, although I always try and rouse him with vigorous burping so that he goes down awake. I know he can self settle most of the time. He has 3/4 naps per day and has always been a 45 minute napper since around 4 weeks old, although first nap seems to be lengthening to 1.30 in recent weeks. 1.5hr awake time average and bed between 7-8pm.

Can anyone shed any light on where this hysterical crying has come from? Would the regression suddenly cause this? It is SO out of character (Yes I know babies cry but we have been very lucky with his temperament). Do you think he’s in pain if the Calpol does work to settle him?

Any ideas

Dribbling and putting his fist in his mouth sounds much more like teething problems than regression to me. Have you been able to look in his mouth at all, or run your finger gently along his gums? If you do see any signs of a tooth trying to break through, could you rub a little baby bonjela in the sore area.

However, it is many years since my children were babies, and although I don't suppose much has changed with teething (If that is what it is), my memory could be playing tricks on me, and treatments may have changed, so please wait for better advice from other young mum's, and if you remain concerned then please take him to see his GP.

Sorry OP, I forgot to add, that some of his reactions sound more like colic to me, but I don't know what the modern day treatments are for that. Again hopefully there will be more knowledgeable mns along soon.

Thanks @TurkeyRoastvBubbleandSqueek I don’t think it’s Colic as I believe this starts before three months typically, but I could be wrong. This is a new behaviour. I would expect him to fight sleep and be up a lot more with the regression but I wasn’t expecting the hysterical crying.

Thanks @Flickflak

Would the pain suddenly come on at night like that? In the day there is no hysterical crying but I have noticed quite a bit of dribbling and hands constantly in mouth (which I’ve read could also be developmental). After the initial few wakes between 7.30-10pm he then does sleep relatively well, but wonder if that’s because I’ve given Calpol. Last night he was put to bed at 7.30pm and started hysterically crying within 15 minutes when usually he self settles and then woke an hour later hysterical again at which point I gave Calpol. He then slept from 9-2.30, feed, up at 7.20.

It's a bit late, but maybe purple crying? Or could be regression?

Thanks @ChittyBang1987 Breastfeeding him does soothe him enough to drop back to sleep so it’s not inconsolable for hours on end which I would think would be indicative of purple crying

OK. How about a dummy? To help for comfort. Rather than using you?

@ChittyBang1987 I have tried a dummy repeatedly since birth without any success