Concerned about my newborn. - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

ament · 02-12-2007, 06:36 AM

I've posted a couple of threads in the past week about my 2 week old. She had been such a good baby the first week, then came home wailing when one evening a week ago. I know it's normal for them to become more alert a few days after leaving the hospital, but she changed drastically literally in one evening.

She stayed up until 6 that morning crying. I took her to the doctor last week, and she said the baby was healthy, it was probably just something I ate combined with taking her out that evening.

The next few days were a little better, so I stopped worrying so much. But for the past three days, I've had to hold and nurse her all day. She won't let me put her down for anything. At night I try to slip her into her crib when she finally falls asleep, and she's awake 5 minutes later crying. (We've been cosleeping, which is the only way either of us is getting any real sleep).

And that's another thing. It seems like she isn't hardly getting any sleep at all. It seems she's always wide awake, and may drift off for about 10 minutes after I'm finished nursing her, only to wake up and want to be nursed again. Her grandma was over last night and commented she was very gassy and seemed like she had a tummy ache.

does this seem normal to anyone? I'm calling the pediatrician when the office is open, but I'm afraid like last time they'll sum it up to something I ate.

ozzybug · 02-12-2007, 09:45 AM

Has your pediatritian mentioned colic? This sounds like a classic case of colic to me. My son had colic and it started when he was about a week old. Fortunately he only had it for about 3 weeks or so, and my pediatritian did give me some meds to help relax him which made the constant crying stop. This allowed him to actually get some rest as well, which in turn, allowed me to get some sleep. Most doctors won't treat colic with meds now because the medication is a strong narcotic. Mine did allow the meds, but I ONLY gave my son half the dose, and only gave it to him once a day as opposed to the 3 times a day it was prescribed for.

I wish you the best of luck. I know it's exhausting when your baby cries constantly, but you have to do your best to stay calm. Let us know what the doctor says!

KeltoKel · 02-12-2007, 12:25 PM

My baby was the SAME at 3 weeks and I was pulling my hair out and crying along with him. My lactation consultant told me to get the video, The Happiest Baby on the Block. IT SAVED OUR SANITY! I was able to rent the DVD at my library, but I know you can also buy them on-line. I wasn't able to find it at any baby store. There is a book, but I didn't have time to read it, so I was lucky to rent the DVD.

Anyhow, babies are often cranky when they come home for many reasons and the DVD/book goes into details. The DVD shows you how to calm your baby. Here are some things that help...

gently - but loudly - "sssshhhhhh" your baby - near his ear (not in the ear)
play "white noise" while baby sleeps (the womb was very loud!)
if you have a swing, use it.
Use a pacifier since babies like to suck
swaddle your baby tightly (very tightly!)

I know many people have mentioned this book/DVD on this site and we all only talk about it b/c it works! Even look up the reviews on-line - it is amazing.

I thought my son was colicky was well, but once we learned to calm him, he was a totally different baby.

lex jude · 02-12-2007, 12:30 PM

Awww this time is so hard

You are just getting to know your baby and your baby is just getting to know you, and she can't tell you what she wants or needs or anything. Here are some tips on how to soothe your baby

(and on a side note, I think the book "the happiest baby on the bock" was a very helpful read (when I had a few moments to myself!)

- I had this bouncer that would vibrate. My son LOVED it. He would sit in it and play with the little toys that came with it It also had these little tunes on it too.

- Try a swing! Movement is comforting (I know my son liked it when he was a newborn, but wasn't too hot about it later)

- Swaddling is awesome. If your little one can't stand the swaddling around their arms, only swaddle up around to their waist.

- If you suspect something like gas, I used those anti-gas drops for the first few months.

- Another thing that I did when my DS was small enough--I got one of those slings that you can just slip the baby into and you can go about your business without disrupting your baby. I would do laundry, prepare bottles, etc etc. I think at that young age, it's important for the baby to feel safe and loved, that way when they get older they will be more confident, and believe it or not, less clingy. I wish I could snuggle with my DS like that now!

If nothing seems to work, and you have that mommy "gut feeling" that something is wrong, don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Assert yourself and remember, it's better to be safe then sorry!

dizzygirl · 02-12-2007, 06:11 PM

Awe, I'm sorry you're having a tough time. It's really hard in the beginning. What everyone here mentioned were excellent tips, also just wanted to chime in with one thing as far as gas goes........When ds had bad gas, we laid him down on his back (which makes it hurt more....but for this it's necessary) and pumped his legs like he was riding a bicycle. It works gas out. Also, there is a baby massage technique called the I Love You movement worth looking up online to get gas out. It could be colic, but to me, it seems lilke your baby is just finally waking up from baing born. Hang in there, I'll be in the same position again in 6 months!