Fussy Baby Boy Help?

Question

I have a 7 week old baby boy who has gone from calm and easy to incredibly fussy. It starts at about 4am and lasts all day. he doesn't sleep and won't eat a full bottle, he just grazes on it for 1 to 2 hours. It isn't like this everyday, but just about every other day. Is this normal? He is on enfamil gentleease for his gas and seems to always grunt and wingle about when I am feeding him. I just hope this is a phase. Anyone else have issues like this? I am wondering if something is wrong? Allergy etc?

Answer 1

He could be suffering from colic. Have you asked your doctor about that? Is he a large baby? Maybe he would be interested in a bit of rice cereal instead of the milk? He may be the fussy type and just gets bored easily. Try doing other things with him for awhile before you offer him food, let him actually get an appetite.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/info-u/babies/BE333.html

http://www.huggieshappybaby.com/info/lib/articles/article.aspx?article_id=93§ion=library&_nc=632903165935037427&_nockcheck=true

Answer 2

There's a LOT of new research on what colic actually means - it isn't as simple as a gassy belly, it has a lot to do with an infant's ability (or rather inability) to take in and filter stimulus, and overall immaturity of the nervous system.

Check out the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" - it has OUTSTANDING advice for calming fussy babies. My daughter was terribly fussy. My doctor said it was colic and there was nothing to do but wait it out.

I picked up the book on a whim and it changed everything! She did a complete 180 almost overnight. My son is six weeks old, and I've been using the techniques in the book from the day he was born and EVERYONE talks about what an amazingly calm baby he is.

Check it out!

Answer 3

Sounds like Colic. Have you tried infant gas drops (like Mylacon or Little Tummies)? If not, I would start there and just follow the dosing on the box. Is is soiling a normal amount of diapers (constipation is very common at this age, in which case a little white corn syrup in his bottle will help). Try laying him on his back and working his legs (gently) like he's riding a bike, it'll help expel the gas bubbles in his little tummy and make him feel better.

If you can't find any solutions to help him feel better, call his doctor. They are very used to getting calls from new mothers and the nurse might even be able to help you over the phone.

As always, if he starts running a fever....take him in.

Answer 4

Not to scare you at all, but check his temp. first. again not to scare you but my daughter had the same thing at 6 weeks, she got a virus from my older son, and ended up with viral meningitis, only symptoms she had was she didn't seem hungry and had a bit of gas...if there is no temp ( even half a degree above normal ) it could just be gas...or colic..or it could be the enfamil...try a different brand of formula..it's very common for babies to have allergies to formulas. try rubbing his belly before and after feeding him..it could also just be a phase, but the not being hungry part is not a good thing, so i would defiantly get it checked out.

Answer 5

Those are classic severe gas symptoms, poor little thing. Talk to his pedaitrician about a different formula. He may need to be switched to soy formula. The grunt and wiggle when you are feeding him is because it actually hurts his little tummy to eat. Poor little guy. He is fussy all day cause he's hungry, but then doesn't really want to eat cause it hurts, and then can't sleep cause he is hungry and hurting. I know this is trying on you too! My nephew was exaclty the same way and they went through five different formulas before they found one that wouldn't hurt his little tummy. Good luck sweetie and try and get as much rest as possible, i know this is very stressful for you hun. Will be praying for the little guy, and you as well.

Answer 6

Ok first off... HUGE HUGE hugs!!

I feel your pain... my youngest who is now 6yrs had it from 3 weeks to 9 months... she had colic, acid reflux, AND milk allergies and busted ehr first tooth at 3 months!! ... we started off switching her formula 5 times and it was finally great with Carnation Alsoy... then had to switch bottles to finally Dr. Brown's Colic bottles, (they sell them at Walmart & Target!) She spent ALL day and ALL night screaming.. we took several trips to the ER because she screamed so much... (while I cried) ... she would start as soon as we were in the bed, lights off and she would go off... We found the lullaby monitor below worked ALOT soothing her... I used to sit and rock her for hours... somtimes she liked to lay on my chest with her belly to my chest.. we also layed her on her belly on my lap alot... we found that leaving the lights on and turning on "White" noise (radio, tv etc.) , hair dryer or vaccum helped her sleep.... I let her sleep in her car seats some nights because the rocking in the position she was laying in helped her to sleep so I would leave her there (to get rest myself) but the lullaby monitor below help ALOT... she would sleep to the heartbeat or ocean sounds mostly... we used the milicon drops and motrin in the bad spells... (where she screamed hours on end)... we did do a few car rides as well... they always say you can even use a warm water bottle and lay it on their tummys too... it's worth a try... I found myself bathing her in the middle of the nights sometimes to calm her in the warm water...

Wish I was closer to help you.. I don't wish colic on anyone... hang in there.. I am proof it passes and you survive! (I also had a 22 month old at the time mine was a baby with it) I pray you find something that works for her... god bless you and her!

Hugs, MSG me if you want anytime... Good Luck!

Answer 7

it sounds like colic to me esp since he is gassy. There isn't too much you can do except hold him and try to ease his gas pain. sometimes putting him on a warm towel just out of the dryer on his naked belly helps soothe the pain. Good Luck!

Answer 8

my son was the same way hes now three months old still stays up a lot but he had reflux.dose your baby spit up a lot. we have him on newtramigen just try rocking him and play with him or just let him set in a swing or boncer and go about your day but i think you should call you ped.just in case.

Answer 9

He might be colicky? Have him checked out by the doctor. Meantime, try some Gripe Water.

Answer 10

it sounds like he really might have gas, try giving him gas drops a little bit before he eats. my son was like that and everyone told me he was coliky and that was not true, he just had gas alot. gas drops helped alot and rubbing his tummy and pushing his legs like in circle ways to relieve any gas.