Most frustrating baby day so far. Any ideas?

Question

My wife and I just had a baby boy who is 6 weeks old and he normally is very quiet and has always eaten very well. Today is the first day that he has cried pretty much the whole time he has been awake. He isn't sleeping very well today either. Any parents ever have a kid that can do a complete change in the way they act (i.e )from laughter to screaming. We have tried everthing from holding him, the vibrating chair, swing, cuddling, feeding, but nothing is working today. Is it possible that it is just belly cramps or gas? Please Help --- Thanks

Answer 1

Well first thing I would do is put yourself in his little booties.

Imagine, you are uncomfortable, but you are not sure what is wrong. You can't communicate except to voice your frustration with your delima the only way you know how with a loud wail.
You persist in your wail hoping that someone hears you and fixes what is wrong. daddy changes you, nope thats not it. Mommy feeds you, nope thats not it. Both mommy and daddy try to burp you, nope...
I know it can be enormously frustrating to you, but think about how he is, the only way his needs are met is by someone else guessing at what his needs are! The poor little thing cannot even turn over to get more comfortable. He is just beginning to notice the little hands attached to him but can't use them yet. I am so glad I do not remember being a baby, it has to be extreemly frustrating and a confusing time.

But to solve your problem.
At that age he should not really have established a routine yet. At first my 6 week old was taking a nap during the day about 11am to 1pm. Not anymore. Now it seems the only way I can get him to sleep is if I take him for a long walk.
Somedays he likes the swing, but lately he hates it.
Sometimes he has really good days, where he can be coaxed to smile to (where he looks like he is laughing) from moring to evening. Othertimes evenings are hell, he has to be on the boob all day.
I would not count on having the good fortune of a set rountine anytime soon.
I would chalk it up to gas and or a growth spurt.
For gas you can do two things, if traditional burping doesn't work you can lay him on his back and push his legs lightly to his chest and count to ten. do this 10 times.
Also you can massage his little belly and try to break it up it you feel that might be it. You can also try to give him gas drops.
Growth spurt, just feed him more. If you are breastfeeding let him finish on his terms. for formula make a few ounces more and let him drink what he wants.
Babies have an innate ability to eat to fulfill their needs and not more. Do not make him finish the bottle however.

Today my now 10 week old has been eating every hour

Answer 2

Babies have the tendency to change periodically. Don't be alarmed and don't go running to the Dr until you notice something horribly wrong after a few days. If your wife is breast feeding, attempt to keep your son feeding longer, if he is being bottle-fed I'd attempt to feed him more per bottle...by either 1/2 ounce-1 ounce; Don't want to over due it.

I'm guessing he is probably going through a growth spurt...however, if he is being formula fed, and his fussiness continues it may be due to the formula itself. I know that my daughter (7 months old) had to be switched to soy formula due to spitting up so much because it turned out she had problems with the lactose in her formula, but she has been fine ever since.

If the problem continues, see about switching to a lighter formula. Similac offers some that eases gas and that is easier on baby's tummy, and it's a GREAT transition from breastfeeding, so I've heard from friends that have gone through it. If he is still hungry after breastfeeding and you can't seem to satisfy his needs, don't hesitate to supplement with a small bottle....when he's sleeping, pump...and have the milk ready, or else see if formula would work...there is nothing wrong with adding it into the mix.

In the end...just wait it out. But just for good information, as most people think it might be contributed to a colic behavior...that is all related to Acid Reflux, and the changing of formula could definately help....

I hope things get better!!!

Answer 3

I call my son "bipolar boy" because he switches moods so quickly and completely. Sometimes you just have to get through the day. When you wake up tomorrow morning, your son will probably be his old self. Here's what's worked for me to get through the tough days:

Try getting outside for a completely different environment.
Take care of him in shifts to minimize parental agony!
Invite a friend or relative over to play with him (someone new sometimes does the trick like nothing else)
Try just leaving him alone. He may be overstimulated and need some quiet time to relax. Just lay him in the crib, dim the lights, and leave the room for a few minutes. See if he settles down. (This works well for my toddler, but didn't work at all when he was your son's age. But good luck, anyway!)

Answer 4

Babies can get fretful over anything even if they are normally quiet and cheerful. He may need to eat more, so try giving him a little more at his feedings. Perhaps try some gas drops to see if he has gas on his tummy. Hopefully he will be back to himself in no time.

Answer 5

Yes, cramps or gas is very possible and actually very likely. As long as you've checked his temperature and he's not ill, he probably just has a tummy ache. Try lying him on his back and moving his legs like he's on a bicycle. Sometimes it helps with the gas. Also, try Mylicon drops. They worked for my daughter who was also a screamer when she had gas.

Answer 6

most likely it would be colic..this causes cramps..in the tummy..boiled water..make sure its warm..not hot or cold in a baby bottle should help ease this if you can get baby to drink it..babys love to feel secure so getting wrapped up is another way to sooth and calm baby..maybe a soother ( dummy) is a good idea ..its not unusal for babies to do this all day..good luck with bubs...it can be tiring and draining..i remember it well..and try a baby massage..they love it..in a relaxing and quite room..if its warm enough. plus Add a few drops of lavender to the oil

Answer 7

This is very normal. in fact he sounds like a wonderfu baby.
It sounds like gas. or that baby is just frustrated. Baby was used to being in mommys bellie and suddendly it is in a new world.
Sometime parents frustration rubs off on the baby. One of you take a break and get regenerated.

Answer 8

Might be a growth spurt! If he's breastfed, he needs to just live on the boobies for a day or two, until her milk supply catches up to his increased needs. But 6 weeks is PRIME time for this fussy behaviour for a day to three days.

Not sure how to handle a growth spurt for a formula fed baby.

Answer 9

First of all i would like to tell you how sorry I am for you. It sounds to me like he's colic. It could be belly cramp or gas. But if he continues I would call his peditrician in the morning. Its always better to be safe than sorry. Good luck!

Answer 10

Yeah more than likely it is gas and we all know how painful that can be. Try giving him gas drops, they work really fast. When my son was that age and his tummy hurt, if i laid him tummy down on my knee, he would calm down because of the pressure.