4 month old crying?

Question

OK..I know babies cry...some a lot, but I am concerned about my 4 month old boy. He has always been miserable (the doctor says colic). When he was tiny (newborn- 3 months) he cried for 4-5 hours straight a day. He is now 4 months and has gotten better with the constant crying. However, whenever I take him out of the house to friend's house. bowling alley, or my in-laws (etc.) he cries non-stop. He becomes hysterical and cannot be calmed down until we pack him up and put him in the car. I THINK it is the noise, but am not sure. He is usually OK at the grocery store or Target, but becomes impossible at a social gathering. The doctor also expressed concern at the fact that he is not laughing or rolling over yet. He does smile, but rarely in public and inconsistently with us at home. I have a terrible feeling that something is wrong. Can anyone offer me some insight on this????

just to add a few details...the social environments that I am talking about are not overly loud...just your average household noise.

Answer 1

Oh can I ever sympathize with you hun! I have a 4 month old daughter and please be assured that you are not alone. My little one was deemed "Colic" at 2 months old. We switched her to Soy Formula which helped somewhat. I used to go through crying spells of 12 -16 hours a day several days a week. Talk about having meltdowns! She is better now, however when I take her in public she will too have crying fits. The noisier the worse off we are. Except Walmart She is fine there (Go Figure) We think its the lights. All I can say is hang in there. I too am dealing with the same thing. Everyone keeps telling me it will get better. Good Luck to you and Me and remember your not alone.

Answer 2

If your doctor is concerned he should do some tests.

My daughter was very colicky so I have sympathy for you. Really, nobody knows what "colic" is exactly. Now she is 2-1/2 and she is very sensitive and emotional. It is just the way she is. She always seemed rather miserable as a young baby but is a very happy toddler. We had problems for a long time with her lack of interest in eating or drinking anything but breast milk but she has come a long way.

Your son could just be hypersensitive to his surroundings and he will probably outgrow that. But discuss things with your doctor and ask him if there are any tests he can run to help narrow things down a bit. Maybe something can be done and you all just don't know what it is yet.

I wish you the best of luck, and hang in there.

Answer 3

It is always hard when you can not figure out what baby needs, if anything. However, keep in mind sometimes babies just need to cry. With that said, it could very well be, and is most likely a growth spurt. Are you noticing that he is eating more than you are used to? Another thing to check might be if he is teething. Run your fingers along the top and bottom of his front gums to see if you feel anything. Also look at his gums to see if they are white around the front of the mouth. This is also an indicator of teething. My son went through the same thing at about 3 months, so I can relate. good luck.

Answer 4

He seems normal to me. My first one rolled over @ 4 months. My sencond one, who is now 8 months, has not rolled over yet. To get him rolling over and crawling, practice tummy time...put him on his stomach on the floor or bed. I don't get to spend much time with my son, so I'm always holding him...not much tummy time.

About his crying, cholic is normal for babies this age. Try a baby swing for home. To take places, try a vibrating seat. I don't think it's the noise. Babies can usually sleep anywhere. But then again, not all babies are the same.

My first one can sleep pretty much anywhere anytime. My second one is sensitive to light. He doesn't take naps in daycare because it's too bright.

Formula vs Breast Milk can also make a difference. Breast Milk is more soothing. So if you're using formula, try another kind.

Don't worry, he seems fine. He'll eventually roll over and start crawling then you'll wish he can't do those things. Take care.

Answer 5

Your baby probably has colic, try not taking him out so often and make sure everyone washes their hands, no smoking around him. And too much noise can even drive a 40 year old to cry honey.
If it is colic try licking your pinky finger, dip it lightly into some baking soda and give it to him for like a week. It helps relieve his gas and most stomach aches. Works for me and all my babies when they were babies, lol.

Answer 6

Go to another doctor...get a second opinion. It may be nothing, but better safe than sorry.
I know my one daughter cried when we went out but it was mainly the fact that she didn't like to wear a lot of clothes...when she was home it was a diaper and a t-shirt. When we went out she had everything on. I didn't figure it until she was a toddler and started stripping everytime we went out.
Thankfully she out grew it (and she hates when I tell that story, she's 15 now.)

Answer 7

I would go back to the doctor's especially that he expressed concern over the two facts that you mentioned. He should be checking into this more. If you do not get satisfaction I would get a second opinion. Please take him to the doctor's again and start demanding some proper treatment for him. Best of luck to you.

Answer 8

sounds like he is not comfortable in strange surroundings or could be the noise as you say. best keep him home for the most part for now. he's too young for a lot of comotion anyways and that can be hurting his develoment. are you working with him on physical development by moving legs and arms, massaging body, tummy time, etc. Babies need this to develope propperly too

Answer 9

I'd try establishing a schedule if you haven't already. Being able to predict the sequence of events might help calm him down.

I also like the swaddling another answerer suggested.

Answer 10

Go to another doctor. He may not be digesting his milk properly. It can't hurt to get another opinion. Don't worry about hurting the current doctor's feelings. People do it all of the time. You don't have to tell him.