Is it normal for a 4 month old to constantly cry?

Question

She stops if I take her outside and walk around or on a car ride, but other than that she pretty much fusses or cries all day.

She stops if I take her outside and walk around or on a car ride, but other than that she pretty much fusses or cries all day. She's been like this since 1 week old.

I've seen the doctor, who suggested protein sensitivity at first then low milk supply. I supplement with formula, don't drink milk. Still nothing has helped. They told me there is a reason for crying after 3 or 4 months of age, but she hasn't gotten much better.

She stops if I take her outside and walk around or on a car ride, but other than that she pretty much fusses or cries all day. She's been like this since 1 week old.

I've seen the doctor, who suggested protein sensitivity at first then low milk supply. I supplement with formula, don't drink milk. Still nothing has helped. They told me there is a reason for crying after 3 or 4 months of age, but she hasn't gotten much better.

Answer 1

Its difficult for people online to make guesses about what the problem could be, so I'm going to offer some general ideas. Overlook what you know can't possibly apply to your situation, and if something I say rings a bell for you you may want to look it into it further:

Sometimes it can seem like a baby "cries constantly" just because they cry often. Since I assume you're in the house more than out of it maybe it just seems like she cries when she's home. Since you are walking around (and holding her or pushing her in a stroller) outside, and since the car is moving and offers things to see out the window, there's the chance she feels more comforted and entertained outside. Sometimes a baby who is uncomfortable (with something like teeth pain) will get his mind off his discomfort if there are things around that entertain him or if his mother is calmly and securely holding him. In other words, just because she doesn't cry outside it doesn't necessarily mean any discomfort she's often in has gone away.

When you say you supplement feeding with "a bottle" does that mean she gets formula and your milk at every feeding, or does it mean she gets a bottle x number of times (like twice) a day? I would think if she's getting a mix of milks with each feeding there's the chance she could have some kind of digestive upset from it. On the other hand, if she only gets a bottle a couple of times a day but (obviously) needs to get her hunger satisified as often as she requires, insufficient milk supply will leave her hungry a good part of the time.

Aside from possibly being hungry too often, is there a chance your house is either cold (temperature-wise), has too much going on (lots of different bright lights, louds noises, and a general background of even lower noises), or that her crying has you tired and tense and passing "tense vibes" to her? Babies who are over-stimulated get very frazzled and fussy, and then when something like being hungry occurs they get REALLY upset. Are there a lot of people handling her, or are there older children always near her (and making her a little frazzled by their activities)?

Might you be expecting her to be in one place too long? Babies cry when they get sick of being in one place. Or, might you be expecting her to be lying down more than she wants to be? Babies her age like to sit in baby swings or sit in seats where they can see what's going on.

On the other hand, might you be moving her around too much when she could use a little quiet, alone, time off somewhere by herself (like in her crib)?

Some babies are more patient than others. Some can't tolerate a lot of activity as well as others, although even high-tolerance babies will get over-stimulated. All babies with frazzled mothers will be more frazzled themselves.

When you hold her, do you hold her snugly and securely and make her feel very, very, snuggled? Even when she's over your shoulder, do you snuggled you face to hers frequently and hold her very securely? Some people just kind of hang the baby over their forearm a lot of the time, and babies don't feel as secure that way.

When I hear about a baby who cries "constantly" with no medical reason apparent, I automatically think of one of three things: Either the environment is too over-stimulating, the mother may be not be making the baby feel super-secure all the time (which is what babies need to stay happier all day long), or the baby is being breastfed and not getting enough to eat.

Sometimes, too, it can be a combination of all of the above and then worsened by things like teething pain or being too cold or too hot or too tired Once babies get too frazzled to sleep right they wake too soon, remain cranky, and the cycle goes on.

Some babies tend to be colder than others. Some tend to be hotter. Some are more bothered by fabrics than others, If the house is too hot or too cold for her she won't sleep right and will be cranky. If your detergent makes her clothes a little stiffer than she can tolerate, or if her diaper is too stiff or too tight or scratchy she'll be fussy.

Do you rock her (either in a chair or on your feet), hold her super-close, and sing soft songs before she goes to bed at night? Doing that will help a baby sleep through the night and generally feel better all day long.

While it may not be that you're doing something your shouldn't or not doing something you should be doing, there is the chance that you are doing too much of something for her, individual, preferences/needs; or there's the chance that there's something she needs more of that you aren't doing for her, particular, preferences/needs.

I know you can't take her out all the time just to keep her happy, but usually if a baby gets a certain amount of "out" and a certain amout of being held and talked to they are more willing and ready to relax in a crib or seat later.

She could actually cry now for different reasons than she had to cry as a newborn. At four months babies sometimes get teeth. They sometimes, too, develop intellectually in a way that is a little ahead of their physical abilities; so they may get frustrated at their own limitations. They may need to be up and looking around, but their muscles may not let them do that yet. (If this could be the case, she needs a seat that will give her a little mobility.)

Finding things that will amuse her without over-stimulating her is always a good idea. My four-month-olds used to love those plastic baby books. Even though the baby books claim they won't turn the pages, they did. Four-month-olds like to look at bright pictures or bright toys. Easy-to-hold rattles that have "something going on in them" (to look at) are usually found interesting by babies. Books or toys that can be safely placed with the baby in a crib or seat (but still keep you eye on what's going on) and that will attract her attention a little longer is probably the best way to give her something to be entertained by without teaching her that the only way to get "entertainment" is through the car window.

Again, I have no idea if anything I've said applies to you. I've just thrown out a bunch of ideas in case any of them apply. If your baby is fussy because something (or a few things) are bothering her or making her uncomfortable its normal for her to have that normal response. Still, it isn't good for her or you. There's the chance she's a baby who is a little more sensitive to things, though, so maybe things that wouldn't bother other babies as much do bother her.

Answer 2

Hi! I wish that I could give you an instant solution for this. Unfortunately some babies just cry all the time. If the doctor has checked her and she is fine (no earaches, colds, allergies etc), then just be sure to feed her well, change her diaper frequently, keep her clean and comfortable (make sure she isn't feeling too warm or too cool). Burp her during feeding. If she cries constantly with no reason then there is nothing that can be done. Take her with you everywhere you go (try one of those snugli slings). At night you should make sure that she is wrapped up and bundled in a carrier so that her head is in an elevated position. It will help her sleep better. My daughter was extremely unhappy and cried a lot. I think the worst time was between 8 weeks old until she was 7 months old. Sometimes they wake themselves up with their feet and arms, so swaddling is helpful. You just have to do your best and hope that it will get better. When they are in the crying phase its important for you to get sleep at night, try putting her in a swing or find whatever way to soothe her. And sometimes you just have to ignore it and not let the crying upset you. If you do your best then thats all you can do. She will eventually get better when she begins crawling and is able to entertain herself more.

Answer 3

www.askdrsears.com has great information on fussy babies. Have you tried wearing your baby? Dr Sears site also has information on babywearing. There is also The Fussy Baby book by Dr Sears you can get.
This page - http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp - contains the folowing:
Fussy baby Index
11 Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby
A Checklist of 36 Time-Tested Baby Calmers
3 Reasons Why Babies Fuss
7 Things Parents Should Know About Baby's Cries
Letting Baby "Cry-it-out" Yes, No!
4 Ways to Teach Baby to "Cry Better"
The Shutdown Syndrome
Comforting the Gassy Baby
8 Dance Steps to comfort baby
6 Ways to Make Baby Dancing Fun


See related topics:
Coping with Colic
Babywearing
High-Need Babies

Answer 4

My daugter was like that and her doctor said it was colic and suggested Gripe Water. Its an all natural herbal liquid and you give it to them and it really helps. It has ginger and fennel in it which is supposed to help an upset stomach. You can order it at blissbymom.com or search for a store that carries it. Most medicine shoppes or Whole Foods or Bulk Food stores carry it, you can find it other places, but not the same brand. If she is teething, we used the freezer pops and let my oldest chew on them, and then we refroze them, you can get a box of 100 or so for about 3 dollars at Wal-Mart.

Answer 5

Is the crying out of the ordinary..and something new? If so then take her to the pediatrician first thing tomorrow morning.

If she's been a constantly fussy baby, mention it at your next appointment. I strongly suggest Little Tummy gas drops, they were a godsend when my son was that little, and was fussy. It could be that she's teething, baby orajel works well.

Otherwise..please remember that this time will pass quickly (even though it doesn't feel like it now I'm sure) and be sure to take care of you! You can't take care of anyone else if you don't take care of yourself first. GL!

Answer 6

I went through the exact same thing you are going through. Trust me, it gets better! My daughter ended up being lactose intolerant, so right when I switched to Soy formula she was fine! I just mention that because you stated that your pediatrician mentioned lack in diet. Maybe try switching formulas to see if it's just the type you're giving her that's making her tummy hurt. You might check with your pediatrician first. Warm baths and loose comfortable clothing are truely calming as well. Babies can feel our stress- don't blame yourself for getting away for a couple of hours or even for a night, and leaving the baby with grandma! You need pampering too! Try this website-it helped us. Good luck.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp

Answer 7

I can honestly say that when it comes to children-nothing is really "normal" Only one of my 4 was a cryer. But he was a cryer until he was almost 6. Today he is 6'5" tall and has size 15 feet. So either she just wants to be close or moving or just likes to hear her own voice, I suggest talking to her in a soothing voice, keep her close to wherever you are if you are a home mom, but surprisingly right now, they grow up too fast and it passes too quickly so enjoy the time that she needs only you close by to make her world perfect!

Answer 8

as much because it hurts tell them that it takes faraway from the different young babies while she crys all day! you're able to have the skill to look after all not purely theirs! I even have 3 young babies myself and that i replaced into going to demonstrate screen some ladies toddler so she could pass decrease back to college, yet her way of parenting replaced into way diverse than mine and we did not see eye to eye. i could particularly her to handle it than her and that i going at it! different clever do what you are able to! do you have a swaddler, swing, something that would artwork! My daughter had terrible tummy issues and there have been nights I have been given NO sleep! walk together with her on your arm along with your hand being her pillow, her dealing with down...kinda annoying to describe!

Answer 9

No, that's not normal & your doctor needs to know what's going on. Maybe she's gassy because she isn't burping good for you. If you are uptight or nervous when holding her, she'll sense this & be upset. (just a thought, because my youngest g'daughter was like your baby & once my d-in-law learned to relax more, the baby was fine)

Answer 10

I don't know what causes it,,,maybe tummy aches. My ( now 27 yr old) was like that. day and night,,cry cry cry. Just do the best you can,,and find trusting people to take him if your at your wits end with it. NEVER take out your frustrations on the infant,,,,(that's what a spouse is for),,heheheheh,,,One thing I found that helped my son,,,is back rubs (lower back).

Answer 11

She could be teething if this just started recently. I know that does it to my little girl. Feel her bottom gums. If she screams when you touch them, she's teething. Give her something cold to chew on (like a teething ring) and get her some infant Motrin- it tastes much better than infant Tylenol.