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baby screams and doesn't sleep
ann70032 posted:
My 6 week old baby won't stop screaming between feedings. She's not sleeping like she was 3 days ago, only at night will she go four- five hours between feedings without screaming. Before she was a calm baby most of the day and got fussy from 7-10pm, and after her bottle was fine again. Now she acts like she is in real pain. As she strains to pass gas she'll start to scream, then she'll calm for a minute and then start over as she strains again. If she's not screaming her eye are open; it just seems like too long of a spand. She was always gassy, and cried just a little when passing, but not this 2 hours of screaming between each feeding.
She is on formula, about 4 ozs every 3 hours, but roots for more. I think it the discomfort is making her think she is hungery??? Is she hunger, or is she in pain??? The Mylcon drops don't work, rocking, heat on tummy, different positions, massage, swing, nothing works. I think she just tries herself out. How about rice cereal??? Any thoughts??
15 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepMy 6 week old baby won't stop screaming between feedings. She's not sleeping like she was 3 days ago, only at night will she go four- five hours between feedings without screaming. Before she was a calm baby most of the day and got fussy from 7-10pm, and after her bottle was fine again. Now she acts like she is in real pain. As she strains to pass gas she'll start to scream, then she'll calm for a minute and then start over as she strains again. If she's not screaming her eye are open; it just seems like too long of a spand. She was always gassy, and cried just a little when passing, but not this 2 hours of screaming between each feeding.
She is on formula, about 4 ozs every 3 hours, but roots for more. I think it the discomfort is making her think she is hungery??? Is she hunger, or is she in pain??? The Mylcon drops don't work, rocking, heat on tummy, different positions, massage, swing, nothing works. I think she just tries herself out. How about rice cereal??? Any thoughts??
teeny79 responded:
When a baby is gassy they mistake the pain for hunger, that is why your baby is rooting for more milk but if you give her more when you know she is full it will just make it worse. You should call her doc and make an appointment, it sounds like she might need a different formula.
How is she at burping after feedings? If she isn't burping very well you might try to make her burp before she gets the rest of the bottle. I think you will agree that making her cry while getting a burp out of her is better than for two hours after feedings. If she is really hard to burp you can try laying her across your legs on her belly and jiggling your legs a little while you rub and pat her back, this is a good way of burping and it relieves the gas pain while she is laying this way also.
I don't know how often you are giving her the drops but you could also try giving them to her before every bottle and see if that helps.
How about her bms? does she go poo easily or is it painful for her when she goes? Maybe she isn't pooing often enough and is having pain from that.
When you take her to the doc take a paper with you that tells what times she ate, what time the crying starts and how long it lasts, when she poos and when she is gassy. This will give your doc a good idea of where to start or what is going on.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepWhen a baby is gassy they mistake the pain for hunger, that is why your baby is rooting for more milk but if you give her more when you know she is full it will just make it worse. You should call her doc and make an appointment, it sounds like she might need a different formula.
How is she at burping after feedings? If she isn't burping very well you might try to make her burp before she gets the rest of the bottle. I think you will agree that making her cry while getting a burp out of her is better than for two hours after feedings. If she is really hard to burp you can try laying her across your legs on her belly and jiggling your legs a little while you rub and pat her back, this is a good way of burping and it relieves the gas pain while she is laying this way also.
I don't know how often you are giving her the drops but you could also try giving them to her before every bottle and see if that helps.
How about her bms? does she go poo easily or is it painful for her when she goes? Maybe she isn't pooing often enough and is having pain from that.
When you take her to the doc take a paper with you that tells what times she ate, what time the crying starts and how long it lasts, when she poos and when she is gassy. This will give your doc a good idea of where to start or what is going on.
karengavin responded:
Ahh, I remember those days!! I agree, the drops have no effect, they just make us crazy parents think they do. Teeny made a good suggestion about laying her over your legs to burp. It does seem the problem is with gas, but she may also be backing up as well. If you lay her in your lap, head at your knees and legs in front of your belly, grab her feet and move her legs into her tummy gently, almost like if she was riding a bike. Do this several times in a minute, for about 90 second to 2 minutes. This pushes any excess gas through the intestines and will also help loosen her bowel. We always sang a song while we did this, and if nothing else, it will entertain her and get your mind off of the crying. Also, check and see if the formula has a extra iron in it (the label will say "with Iron" in the title) b/c that could be your culprit. We also found that Enfamil Gentlease was really good for a fussy gassy baby, as it was partially broken down and easier to digest. Good luck and hope this helps!!
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepAhh, I remember those days!! I agree, the drops have no effect, they just make us crazy parents think they do. Teeny made a good suggestion about laying her over your legs to burp. It does seem the problem is with gas, but she may also be backing up as well. If you lay her in your lap, head at your knees and legs in front of your belly, grab her feet and move her legs into her tummy gently, almost like if she was riding a bike. Do this several times in a minute, for about 90 second to 2 minutes. This pushes any excess gas through the intestines and will also help loosen her bowel. We always sang a song while we did this, and if nothing else, it will entertain her and get your mind off of the crying. Also, check and see if the formula has a extra iron in it (the label will say "with Iron" in the title) b/c that could be your culprit. We also found that Enfamil Gentlease was really good for a fussy gassy baby, as it was partially broken down and easier to digest. Good luck and hope this helps!!
ann70032 responded:
She does burp well (after every oz), but often will STILL burp later when crying. She also seems to have pain during a BM. She'll have a big BM maybe once or twice a day. We switch her formula to the sensitive one last night and got some of that Gripe water too. Any more thoughts??
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepShe does burp well (after every oz), but often will STILL burp later when crying. She also seems to have pain during a BM. She'll have a big BM maybe once or twice a day. We switch her formula to the sensitive one last night and got some of that Gripe water too. Any more thoughts??
Johnnie38 responded:
My two cents is that she is going through the typical growth spurt that occurs at six weeks. Four ounces every three hours and rooting for more? I would increase the amount of formula by an ounce and see what happens. I would not add cereal at this point. It is just too soon by most recommendations.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepMy two cents is that she is going through the typical growth spurt that occurs at six weeks. Four ounces every three hours and rooting for more? I would increase the amount of formula by an ounce and see what happens. I would not add cereal at this point. It is just too soon by most recommendations.
teeny79 responded:
That's a good point, if she isn't getting full at her feedings she might just be hungry. I always increased the amount in the bottle when they started emptying it. I would rather waste a little formula and know they are full than for them to still be hungry.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepThat's a good point, if she isn't getting full at her feedings she might just be hungry. I always increased the amount in the bottle when they started emptying it. I would rather waste a little formula and know they are full than for them to still be hungry.
Dr__Parker responded:
Welcome to the world of colic. Sounds like you have tried many things already so I'm sure you are maximally frustrated and distraught. I doubt gas is the major culprit, but I would try different formulas, based on your pedi's advice, including a trial of the "pre-digested" frormulas to see if that helps. I'm a big believer in letting baby's pretty much eat as much as they chose, so you might try letting her do so and see if she lightens up.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepWelcome to the world of colic. Sounds like you have tried many things already so I'm sure you are maximally frustrated and distraught. I doubt gas is the major culprit, but I would try different formulas, based on your pedi's advice, including a trial of the "pre-digested" frormulas to see if that helps. I'm a big believer in letting baby's pretty much eat as much as they chose, so you might try letting her do so and see if she lightens up.
BethanyLovegrove responded:
Several ideas:
1. Gripe Water, available at Babies R Us and other places, works MUCH better than Mylicon. A lady at church used it very successfully after doctor recommended it. because Mylicon didn't help. Then it was only sold at health food stores.
2. My niece's baby ended up being allergic to milk like his mommy. A try of soy formula worked very quickly for Andrew.
3. For newborn calming techniques, The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD is an amazing Godsend.
4. I'm sure you already tried letting her eat more, since it was her growth spurt time.
Be sure to post how you're doing. It's been a few days!
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepSeveral ideas:
1. Gripe Water, available at Babies R Us and other places, works MUCH better than Mylicon. A lady at church used it very successfully after doctor recommended it. because Mylicon didn't help. Then it was only sold at health food stores.
2. My niece's baby ended up being allergic to milk like his mommy. A try of soy formula worked very quickly for Andrew.
3. For newborn calming techniques, The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD is an amazing Godsend.
4. I'm sure you already tried letting her eat more, since it was her growth spurt time.
Be sure to post how you're doing. It's been a few days!
gnvivco responded:
i don't know how you're doing with this by now, it's been a few days. we went through the same thing with our now 9 month old son. and like the dr said on one of the previous replies we did determine that he was hungry. he also had a little bit of reflux too. i was breastfeeding him and i felt like i was doing it ALL the time and he was still hungry. we started supplementing him with some formula and let him eat as much as he wanted and that seemed to make a difference. we also had to go to the hydrolyzed protein formula and the distilled water like some of the other people suggested. he had a protein intolerance which is different than a milk allergy which i understand from the doctor is rare with out a family history of milk allergies. the difference is that a protein intolerance is not helped by soy formula since soy has similar proteins. unfortunately the hydrolyzed protein formula is expensive. but it made a huge difference. i also had to stop eating milk products for a while. anytime i ate cheese, icecream, or milk he would start the spitting up gassy cycle all over again. i even tried soy milk in the morning and he was a spitting machine by the same afternoon. he did grow out of it mostly and it gets easier when they start on solid food. i still can't eat straight milk or much ice cream even with just the several feedings he gets each day.
just remember to keep trying and taking as many breaks as you can. i hope things are going better and you have a good support system. i was fortunate that i have a great husband to help along the way.
good luck!!
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepi don't know how you're doing with this by now, it's been a few days. we went through the same thing with our now 9 month old son. and like the dr said on one of the previous replies we did determine that he was hungry. he also had a little bit of reflux too. i was breastfeeding him and i felt like i was doing it ALL the time and he was still hungry. we started supplementing him with some formula and let him eat as much as he wanted and that seemed to make a difference. we also had to go to the hydrolyzed protein formula and the distilled water like some of the other people suggested. he had a protein intolerance which is different than a milk allergy which i understand from the doctor is rare with out a family history of milk allergies. the difference is that a protein intolerance is not helped by soy formula since soy has similar proteins. unfortunately the hydrolyzed protein formula is expensive. but it made a huge difference. i also had to stop eating milk products for a while. anytime i ate cheese, icecream, or milk he would start the spitting up gassy cycle all over again. i even tried soy milk in the morning and he was a spitting machine by the same afternoon. he did grow out of it mostly and it gets easier when they start on solid food. i still can't eat straight milk or much ice cream even with just the several feedings he gets each day.
just remember to keep trying and taking as many breaks as you can. i hope things are going better and you have a good support system. i was fortunate that i have a great husband to help along the way.
good luck!!
Cynr24 responded:
1) Check with doctor (gonna need times of feedings, crying, BM, not crying, wet diapers, etc)
2) Discuss formula options
3) I started adding rice cereal by 6 weeks-my son was starving and taking more than 4 oz
4) also started adding Dark Karo Syrup to his bottle to help keep the BM's moving-kept this going until off the bottle as did my brother with his kids
5) Remember baby is new at this too and doesn't know how to tell you what is wrong. Hugs, kisses and cuddles do wonders for both of you :lightsmile:
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleep1) Check with doctor (gonna need times of feedings, crying, BM, not crying, wet diapers, etc)
2) Discuss formula options
3) I started adding rice cereal by 6 weeks-my son was starving and taking more than 4 oz
4) also started adding Dark Karo Syrup to his bottle to help keep the BM's moving-kept this going until off the bottle as did my brother with his kids
5) Remember baby is new at this too and doesn't know how to tell you what is wrong. Hugs, kisses and cuddles do wonders for both of you :lightsmile:
pearl465 responded:
Have you tried to use soy formula? All 3 of my kids were the same way, until I started using the soy formula. As soon as they started using it they were all calm. Their stomaches couldn't tolerate the regular formula.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepHave you tried to use soy formula? All 3 of my kids were the same way, until I started using the soy formula. As soon as they started using it they were all calm. Their stomaches couldn't tolerate the regular formula.
pearl465 responded:
I forgot to add this on my last reply, I also gave my baby chammomile tea diluted with a little sugar in it, it's an old remedy handed down from generation to generation in my family, it sooths their stomachs very quickly make sure it is a little warm just like the formula would be, my family swears by this, and it really works. To this day my kids ages 10, 12, and 22 stil have me make this for them when they have a stomache ache.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepI forgot to add this on my last reply, I also gave my baby chammomile tea diluted with a little sugar in it, it's an old remedy handed down from generation to generation in my family, it sooths their stomachs very quickly make sure it is a little warm just like the formula would be, my family swears by this, and it really works. To this day my kids ages 10, 12, and 22 stil have me make this for them when they have a stomache ache.
brunettebabii404 responded:
A friend of mines son did the same thing.. She took him to the doc and the found that there was a flap of intestine *or something* making it really hard for him to digest anything. They did a simple little procedure and corrected it and he has been fine ever since! I would give the doc a call and just have him check her out! Better be safe than sorry! HTH good luck!
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepA friend of mines son did the same thing.. She took him to the doc and the found that there was a flap of intestine *or something* making it really hard for him to digest anything. They did a simple little procedure and corrected it and he has been fine ever since! I would give the doc a call and just have him check her out! Better be safe than sorry! HTH good luck!
Suikie78 responded:
I found this post while searching the web because my baby is now going through the same thing. It started at about 7 weeks old and has now continued for the last three weeks. She cries and screams between burps and after feedings and will finally calm down just before the next feeding. We've switched formulas, she is presently on Nutramigen and Oatmeal, Prevacid and Reglan along with little tummy laxatives. I was wondering if you ever solved your problem? I've been told she has bad reflux, but she just started some heavy duty meds for it and nothing seems to be improving. Any information would be helpful.
Thanks.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepI found this post while searching the web because my baby is now going through the same thing. It started at about 7 weeks old and has now continued for the last three weeks. She cries and screams between burps and after feedings and will finally calm down just before the next feeding. We've switched formulas, she is presently on Nutramigen and Oatmeal, Prevacid and Reglan along with little tummy laxatives. I was wondering if you ever solved your problem? I've been told she has bad reflux, but she just started some heavy duty meds for it and nothing seems to be improving. Any information would be helpful.
Thanks.
Louise_WebMD_Staff replied to Suikie78's response:
I found that with my youngest that being in the baby sling helped quite a bit. It also helped for me to get a break because I would start to tense up when she cried (Oh no! Not again! Not for hours! ) and she would notice that and it just added to the reflux issues.
Report This| Share this:baby screams and doesn't sleepI found that with my youngest that being in the baby sling helped quite a bit. It also helped for me to get a break because I would start to tense up when she cried (Oh no! Not again! Not for hours! ) and she would notice that and it just added to the reflux issues.
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