fussy baby?

Question

my daughter is almost 4 weeks old, and she cries constantly when she's not being held. Any suggestions on how I can get her to calm down when she's not being held?

Answer 1

That's a four week old. I just bought a snuggly and carried her everywhere. I even slept on the couch for 5 weeks until it stopped so I could hold her on my chest and know I wouldnt roll over or hurt her in anyway.

Answer 2

I'm the father of 3... and while this will sound somewhat harsh to some, let the baby cry. She will go through this many times in the coming year... spells where she cries. Make sure she is not hurt, sick, or anything like that. Then, let her cry. Maybe every 15-20 minutes, check on her, rub her back, something, but don't pick her up. What will end up happening, she will cry and learn to expect to be held, and then you will have to break that habit down the road, and believe me, I know how hard that is. It took the first child to learn not to give in to temptation. After a week or so, the crying stopped... with the second and thrid kids... but it took months to break the first one of the crying because we picked her up all the time. Oh, and so far, none of the 3 have any need so see a shrink!!! They are 18, 16 and 11 now.

Answer 3

The first 12 weeks of a babys life is called the fussy period! People tend to think that their precious little one has colic. More than likely this isn't true. There are just so many new stimuli that your baby is getting use to... her new/fragile little nervous system has to interpret all of these and in turn will tend to make her fussy. Maybe try not stimulating her as much, if you do. New play toys or trying to push your baby into doing things might be to much of an overload for her.
I know my son was pretty much fussy for the first 10 weeks, but definitely by the 12th he was more awake and happy! but I remember the first 4 weeks were the hardest, because I demand fed him (basically every time he cried I would feed him, but he wasn't even hungry). I would end up falling alseep with him on my stomach (scary thought). Or sleep with him in the bed...
Do cherish it though, because sooner than later she will begin to want to play with everything, and be really squirmy, and she won't just lay in your arms and sleep anymore!
If you aren't on somewhat of a routine, I would suggest trying. I remember when my son was 4 weeks I decided that he could eat every 2 1/2 - 3 hrs (breastfed) and if he cried in between that time then there was obviously something else wrong!
As far as sleep goes she might have to cry a little bit until you can teach her how to fall asleep on her own in her own crib.
A pacifier might help as well (although I dreaded haviing to use one, I know they probably won't have to use it past 9 months)
anyways, good luck and I could probably blabber on about more stuff but I will leave you to your new job of motherhood!

Answer 4

The Fisher Price Aquarium swing calms my 26 day old sometimes... but consider that she might be going through a "growth spurt" and they do get fussy and tend to eat more...

"Growth spurts", (also called frequency days) or periods of increased nursing, commonly occur at around 10 days to 3 weeks of age, 6 weeks of age, 3 months of age, and 6 months of age, although deviations from these time periods are normal as well. During these times your baby may demand to feed more often than she has previously, maybe as often as every hour. He may seem fussy and less content after feedings than he has in days before.

Signs of a Growth Spurt

-Baby is nursing often or almost nonstop or bottlefeeding more frequently
-A baby who was previously sleeping through the night is now waking to nurse several times
-Baby will latch and unlatch, fussing in between (when nursing)

Often Observed After a Growth Spurt

-Baby sleeps extra for a day or two
-Mom is a bit fuller than usual for a day or so (if nursing)
-Baby calms down at the breast
-You may see an increase in wettings with the increased supply baby is drinking


Hope this helps !

Answer 5

Babies that age need to be held. Don't worry about spoiling her yet. That becomes an issue around 3-4 months. Has anyone mentioned colic? My son had it (he's now 7 mo) and it was horrible! I ended up taking him to the chiropractor & it helped alot after 4 treatments. Gas might also be the culprit. Try gas drops & feeding less amounts more often. Be patient, & enlist all the outside help you can to preserve your sanity. It will get better.

Answer 6

This is very common, especially if she is not breast fed. You might want to try a different formula. Usually babies cry when they do not feel ok, so something has to be troubling her. Sometimes if you just pat them lightly as they are laying down they don't feel alone. But, if she cannot settle down even then, you have a problem that needs to be solved. Maybe you are fastening the diaper too tight, or some other thing that makes her uncomfortable. Or, it may just be your own exhaustion. Get help from a more experienced mother in your neighborhood or church.

Answer 7

I remember those days. It's a phase that she will out grow. Babies at 4 weeks don't realize that they are no longer an extension of you. Just love her, hold her, kiss her, rock her. She's not going to be 4 weeks old forever.

Answer 8

I had a very fussy baby. what worked for me ,was wrapping him snugly in a blanket(like they do in the hospital), patting his back & going sshh, sshh in his ear. i have 4 boys and this even works on my 6yr. old twins, when one of them is hurt or upset(of coarse not the blanket wrapping, but the rest. the key is to shh as loudly as the baby is crying and after checking the obvious reasons.

Answer 9

it will pass, my third child is 6 weeks old now and he is finally starting to be able to entertain himself and not want to be held constantly, if i have something to do around the house i will either carry him in his baby sling or if i have to do the dishes or make dinner i'll sit him in his bouncy seat on the kitchen floor at the entrance so he can watch me.

Answer 10

most likely she has colic! babies intestines are only the size of a pencil lead. i would try some chamomile tea diluted 1-10 or switch formulas from milk based to soy if you are not breast feeding..that's what i had to do with both of my children. if you have a significant other have him hold her because his chest is flat..the tea helps open the intententes a Little bit and make them able to pass the gas....REMEMBER that if you are breast feeding what ever you eat that makes you gassy will make them gassy..