need suggestions/opinions for a fussy baby!!!!!!?

Question

she is six weeks old and is hard to keep content more than 30 minutes during the day! she sleeps awesome at night, once she finishes crying about 1-2 hours because she's so tired and won't go to sleep! she eats good, we tried putting her on soy formula because we thought maybe it was stomach issues, she has had one can of that and doesn't seem any different. she won't really take a pacifier. she wants to suck on her hands a lot but isn't cordinated yet to keep them in her mouth. i'm thinking about starting some cereal. she's using the bathroom pretty good too. is it possible for a baby to have colic in just the day time?

Answer 1

Yes, it's possible for babies to have colic at times of day besides bedtime. My 5th baby was colicky, but ONLY at bedtime. Like yours, she cried for 1-2 hours before she fell asleep, then slept all night. But she was fine during the day.

BUT, my 4th child was miserable all day long, not content for more than 30-45 min. at a time. He didn't really have bedtime colic, though. ??

Starting cereal now is not a good idea, because tiny babies lack certain digestive enzymes which are necessary for processing solids. Studies show that early intro. of solids can contribute to a variety of digestive diseases and problems later in life, also an increase in risk of developing allergies. Your pediatrician can explain this better, and will probably recommend waiting until 4 months at the very earliest, or more likely 6 months. The AAP recommends 6 months.

Some things I found helpful for crying babies were:

1. LOTS of holding, cuddling, skin-to-skin contact. We slept with our babies in our bed, thereby eliminating much of the trouble of night feedings *and* providing that constant closeness that they (especially the two that were colicky) seemed to need so intensely. I used a sling or other carrier during the daytime to provide that closeness as well, while also allowing me to play with my other children, accomplish household chores, shop/run errands, etc. A comfortable carrier is a MUST, because you may be wearing baby for long periods, and many front-pack style carriers (straps over both shoulders) can become quite uncomfortable on the neck & shoulder muscles after short periods (15-30 min.).

2. Frequent, small feedings. My babies were breastfed, and usually I encouraged staying at the breast as long as possible, but with the colicky babes I would feed them just enough to satisfy them for the time being. If they got to point of being "stuffed", they were inevitably uncomfortable later, resulting in more crying. They did nurse more often, about every 1.5 hours or so instead of 2-3 hrs., but it was well worth it for those few months that they were obviously having tummy problems.

3. Certain ways of holding them seemed to soothe their tummies. With your arm crooked as though to cradle the baby normally, place the baby tummy-side down on the forearm. The head can go to the crook of your elbow, or rest in the palm of your hand, depending on what is more comfy for you both. The legs & arms basically dangle down. This hold worked miracles, especially when hubby used it. I think it had something to do with having broader forearms to put more even pressure on the baby's tummy. When using the sling, I often tucked the baby into the pouch bottom first, in basically the fetal position with the legs crossed and tucked in front of the body. Younger babies can be leaned over a bit diagonally, since they don't have very good head control, but as they get older they learn to hold their head back up against the chest without flopping forward so much. This one was hit or miss, sometimes it worked miracles, sometimes it made the baby scream harder, but it was always worth the try. You can try it without the sling, too, but the sling just made it so much more convenient to keep holding the baby as long as needed.

4. Homeopathic colic tablets-- most widely known brand name is "Hyland's", can be found usually at Walgreens & other corner pharmacies. Miracle tablets! Search online for the "Hyland's colic" and you will find more info on this little miracle cure. Also good for long car rides if the baby seems to have an upset tummy. The teething ones are fantastic too, and their earache remedy helped us avoid many a round of antibiotics! I can't say enough good stuff about homeopathic remedies. They're safe, can be used *with* normal OTC and Rx meds when other meds are needed, they have NO side effects or adverse reactions. Incredibly safe for infants, and IME quite effective..

5. Certain leg-to-tummy exercises, like "bicycling" are supposed to be helpful as well. I don't remember whether I did this very much, or not. But I remember reading it everywhere.

6. Some babies need constant motion. Being carried in the sling provided this, as I could provide the same movements the baby was used to from my womb for all those months. Some parents swear by their infant swings, bouncy/vibrating chairs, etc. I used the swing a fair bit with child #4, but tried hard not to overdo it, because it's easy to find yourself using it to mind the baby instead of spending time holding them as much as they need it. If I used the swing during the day too much, I found that he made up for the missed contact at night, by being more wakeful, wanting to nurse more, etc. But some days, it was a lifesaver for sure.

I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting-- the two of my kiddos who were colicky are now 5 and almost 8 y/o, so it was a while back, but I remember that for a few months, they really did take a lot more energy than most of my other babies did. They improved right in between 3 and 4 months, though, and then the world calmed down a bit. :)

Hang in there-- this, too shall pass!

Answer 2

It's so hard to say. My youngest was just as miserable the first 3 months of life, then he did get better as he got older. I could not figure out why he cried so much, but I assumed colic. You could try the following to see if it will help the baby stay calm: a mechanical swing, rock baby in the chair, put in a baby sack that holds them close to you, put in baby seat and place in crib and turn on baby's mobile, bring the baby to the window to look out a few times a day, put baby on blanket on floor with a bunch of colorful toys to look at. I know it is very hard to take care of a fussy baby, but it will get better. Let your pediatrician know if it gets too much. If you can, try to get someone to help you or give you a couple of hours for a break so you don't get exhausted dealing with all the fussiness, it can wear you down. Good luck :)

Answer 3

I wouldn't put her on cereal...her digestive system isn't ready for that until more like 4/5 months. My son was like this...not quite colic but not just fussy. They're called "extremely fussy" and it's something that he grew out of around 5/6 months when he started getting more mobile and interested in the world. I felt like my butt was welded to the couch during the first 4 months of his life b/c the only way he wouldn't be freaking out is if I was holding him! I couldn't get anything done! The only thing that helped was to swaddle him and carry him around everywhere. Unfortunately, I don't think there is much you can do except to just ride it out. You'll see an extreme difference in temperament around 6 months and on. My son is 20 months now, very sweet and funny but definitely strong willed...but I should have known that when he was an infant! Good luck! It will be over soon.

Answer 4

DO NOT start cereal at this age!!
Do try to give her a pacifier. It sounds like sucking will help her.
Yes, IT IS possible for a baby to have colic in the daytime.
Give her time for her immature digestive system to develop.
Get someone to help you for some of the day, your mom, a neighbor and take a break once in a while.
She is a tiny baby and some babies cry a lot. Have her checked out again by doctor if you are still concerned.

Answer 5

She is too young for cereal. Her digestive system cannot handle food yet. If you think she is not satisfied give her more formula! Is she napping during the day for you? Imperative that they nap during the day to help with fussy periods.
She maybe going through a growth spurt, they do around six weeks. They get very fussy.
Always check the basics, diaper, hunger, sleep or gas. If these are all negative look for fever. If not, try getting a cradle swing with music, it really helps relax them.

Answer 6

Hello. First and foremost, I don't know that I would recommend putting her on cereal at such an early age. She may just be a baby that needs lots of close contact. Try holding her really close to you for a few minutes every couple hours, or, try swaddling her in a nice, soft, warm blanket. That can work wonders!!! Babies like to feel secure, like they did in the womb, and swaddling helps to achieve that simulation. Also, try getting a "Womb Sounds" bear, that could calm her down alot. It will help set a calm environment like when she was in the womb. Hope this helps!

Answer 7

6 weeks is to early to start cereal. she wont digest it properly and you will be in for a whole new world of problems. My boy is 7 weeks old and i have the same problem!! If its gas then i suggest trying some gas drops. If she spits up alot it may be reflux and your doctor can perscribe liquid zantac for her as they did my son. If all else fails the only suggestion i have is to give her a nice warm bath. It is the only thing that works for me and my son. I dont use a baby bath i have a bath with him. Now you will need help for this as it is hard to get out of the tub with the slippery baby. So have your husband or boyfriend help you out.
also i have switched his formula from similac advance to nestle good start as it contains whey which is way easier for him to digest he seems to be loving it!! Good Luck and dont worry its all worth it!!!! Congrats on baby!!!

Answer 8

I have soothed my breastfed colicky baby, who was a great fussy and extremely unhappy by giving him babies magic tea twice a night. Since then my baby sleeps well.

Answer 9

Have you considered reflux disease? There are a lot of babies with this and milk and or soy protien intolerences...
go to www.infantrefluxdisease.com its full of information that could help you!

by the way no it is not to early to start cereal, with "colicky" reflux babies the cereal actually keeps the food down and keeps them from refluxing nearly as much. we used rice cereal when my reflux baby was a week old per DR's Orders

Answer 10

What time are you putting her to bed at night....try an earlier bed time....that might help. We had to move my son's bedtime from 9 to 8 when he was an infant.

A book that helped me a lot was: "The baby whisperer: How to calm, connect and communicate with your baby"

Answer 11

Please do not give her cereal as her tummy is not ready for that yet. Try to calm her down by bringing her for a walk out of your house or make some noisy that she not familiar with like knocking on the door or etc. Or you can try to put her on a pram and walk around with her. I think you baby may have colic problem. Go to the nearest pharmacy to buy a bottle of colic drop and give her.

Good luck mummy.