my baby won't stop screaming!!! - Children's Health Message Board

yellow rose · 05-21-2003, 02:43 AM

I really need some advice concerning my baby, who is ten weeks old. At four weeks he was diagnosed with reflux, and was put on a thickened formula, so that he would keep his feeds down. Before that, he would literally throw the entire bottle up after being fed, and was not gaining any weight. Now he is keeping his feeds down, but he has another problem, that I just can't get a doctor to take seriously. He screams all day and night, and when picked up, he will burp, and will scream in pain when passing the wind. He goes stiff and arches his back, and his face goes bright red. This goes on all day, and also all night. He only catnaps, he never sleeps for more than a few hours, as he wakes up screaming in pain. I am at my wits end at the moment about what to do for him. I have tried to give him boiled water to drink, warm baths, and also medication from the chemist to help with the wind, but nothing does any good. The first doctor I took him to said to shut the door and ignore the crying. I cannot do this when I know my baby is in pain. The second doctor said that my baby was seeking attention (at ten weeks!!) If this was the case, wouldn't he stop crying when picked up, and why would he burp so much? The third doctor told me that all babies do this, however my first didn't. I feel like I am going mad from having no sleep (my husband is in the military, so I am alone coping with this). I just want someone to help my baby stop screaming with pain. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be very happy to hear them. Thanks everyone.

yellow rose · 05-21-2003, 02:57 AM

Sorry, just thought that I would mention that I was involved in a bad car accident when I was twenty weeks pregnant with my baby. A lady came straight through a give way sign and hit the car on my side. I was in hospital for a while, as I went into early labor, due to the stress of the accident. After this I had contractions every day (up until he was born). Does anyone know if a huge amount of stress while you are pregnant can cause problems like this for the baby?

SueA · 05-21-2003, 06:24 AM

I'm sorry to hear you baby is having a rough time.

It sounds like wind that is causing the screaming, I know wind pain can be quite bad (even adults). You could try some peppermint water. I live in Australia and we can buy it over the counter here.

Do you ever put him on his tummy on your lap and rub his back, this may also help. Would he be getting his food too quickly? Sometimes a slower feed can help decrease the amount of wind.

You could try burping him more often through a feed rather that at the end.

Changing his position often can also help the wind move through easier.

You said he had reflux, is there any chance he has a hernia, if so you may see a lump on his tummy, especially when he is crying.

I bet the doctors you saw were male and never had children of their own. I also would never shut the door on a crying baby. Attention seeking behavior? At that age all a baby wants is comfort and security.

Do you have a maternal/ child / baby clinic or similar that you could contact? They usually have good advice.

I am not sure if the accident / stress would have contributed to the problem, it could be possible, but hard to convince people, unless there is documentation on other cases.

I hope you can find some answers, my baby days weren't that long ago, I remember what it was like...
Sue

piesmom · 05-21-2003, 10:12 AM

yellowrose my daughter also did nothing but cry all the time, day and night The said she also had reflux but also irritable bowel. The put her on medicine and I had to watch all of her sugar intakes. What kind of formula are you using? Are you giving him juice yet? Find a dr. that will go and have test done on him. Any other questions just ask.

camden · 05-21-2003, 05:09 PM

My son and daughter used to do this at times. It was usually gas and I would relieve it with Gripe water(smells like dill) or Oval(smells like peppermint). My son screamed his head off for hours once and it turned out that he was constipated(we should not have had him on iron fortified formula until he was 6 months old).

My son also had surgery for pylorixstenosis(opening to his stomach was too small,causing formula too come back up)when he was 1 month old. He would throw up his entire bottle at every feed and the doctor wouldn't take me seriously because there were no signs of dehydration. We rushed him to the hospital that night when he became lethargic! I don't think this is what is wrong with your child however because he seems to be keeping his formula down now.

Let us know if you find out what is wrong! Good luck!