Help! Anyone out there? I need some advice NOW.

[newmomma]

My DD is 3 weeks old and has cried for three days solid.

And I'm not exaggerating. Everyone muscle and bone in my body hurts and I'm desperate for sleep.

I got three hours 2 nights ago and one hour last night, with no napping in the day as DS (17mo) is keeping me busy.

I am getting desperate. I literally can't quieten her and at th emoment can't even sit in the same room. I've put her in her moses basket in the dining room so that she doesn't wake my son up and I'm hoping she'll tire herself out - but I'm hating myself for it.

But I literally can't even hold her anymore.

I'm sure its 'just' colic but I don't know what to do. Its only been a few days and I can't bear the thought of this happening until she is 4 months old potentially.

PLEASE is anyone out there who can give me some advice as to WHY she won't sleep and if she does why she'll only sleep for 15/20 mins before screaming.

She's exclusively bf and had her tongue tie snipped last Thursday.

Take her to the GP/HV. There may be an underlying reason for her to be crying so much.

Hopefully, whatever it is (other reason or not), you'll be getting some sleep soon!

I am by no way an expert, only have the one dd, but have you tried swaddling her?

Can your dh take a turn trying to settle her?

We've tried EVERYTHING.

DH is up too... But we're both at the wrong stage of tired as we've been taking it in turn for hours.

I just lost my rag and threw a dummy at the wall so hard it smashed.

I'm so sorry you're having a difficult time.

She's EBF - is there anything in your diet that may be upsetting her?

(Disclamer, I didn't BF my own, but had friends who did, and who found that eating anything from citrus fruits to venison gave their lo's the screaming abdabs.)

Totally understandable, you both must be wrecked.

Get out of the house, take a walk round the block or something. Just get half an hour to catch your breath.

Gotta go put my one to bed, but plenty of us about if you need to chat.

God knows.

I'm going to exclude dairy as DS is intolerant so I suppose there is a strong chance DD will be too - but even he never had problems like this.

I've got enough on my plate with a toddler who's hurt his leg and is struggling as it is without this. I just don't understand why she won't sleep.

Sorry scoutliam cross post.

DH keeps saying he'll drive her round the block to give me half an hour off but it seems so futile.

What good is half an hour going to do me? I need 8 hours sleep. At least.

And even then she'll only stay asleep for minutes when he gets back so why bother? He can't drive round all night - so now we're at each others throats.

She can't come to any harm in there on her own can she?

Sorry to state the obvious but can you not stay up on shifts? I know how hard it is to sleep when your baby's crying, but there's no point both of you being up.

DH is in bed...

Hence me being in front of the laptop - with my fingers in my ears simulaneously.

Have you agreed a time to swap? 3 hours on, 3 hours off?

nope. just me on until i scream.

Go and talk to him now! It can't just be down to you! How long have you been up on your own?

not long.
he keeps popping downstairs with advice or suggestions.

why. won't. she. sleep.

zzzzzzzz

Sorry, he needs to swap with you. Tis the only advice I have to offer. You are breastfeeding and you need the sleep more than him. If he thinks she needs a feed he can bring her to you.

Hello.You poor thing i am sending lots of virtual sympathy.My second was a colicky nightmare baby and screeched a lot.I remember it well and so exhausting when you have a toddler also.I know this sounds slightly insane but I found the only thing that worked with dd was putting her in a sling in a fairly upright position over my shoulder and walking up and downstairs....i know it is a long shot but i suppose anthing is worth a try.Good luck and much sympathy

gutted. am feeding her now.
i couldn't listen to the noise any more.

ds will be up in precisely 4 hours...

any idea what keeps waking her up? what the pain could be? surely colic would have worn off by now?

thanks mavis

what kind of sling did you have?

Is she a very windy/sicky baby?dd was terrible and had a lot of trapped wind and hated being flat.She was quite refluxy.I suppose it is a daft question to ask if you have tried inffacol.I used to have to wind dd for ages after a feed,propping her over my shoulder and rubbing her back for at least half an hour.When she was bigger bwe had nto put books n underneath one end of the legs of her cot to tilt it so she was slightly upright iyswim.

I cant remember it was 4 years ago but i am sure any type of sling would do.found it useful tho. xx

yes,very windy. not sicky tho.
tried winding for ages but it doesn't seem to help...

not tried infacol as only heard about it from a friend this p.m.

she's fallen asleep feeding. do i wind her and risk waking her up?
or just put her in her basket and hope for the best??

i would try the latter option for your sanity and do the winding thing if she does wake.good luck xx

thanks

here's really hoping i'm not back here in 15 mins...

Oh poor you, newmomma, what a nightmare...

Have you tried the Dr Karp 5S method to stop the crying? Put in Happiest Baby On The Block into Youtube and watch the Richard & Judy clip to get the idea.

cranial sacral therapy might be worth considering, although it ain't cheap.

Good luck

Go to bed with her, latch her on and let her feed. At least you'll be resting.

And try to remember with some corner of your mind that it does get better.