HELP! He won't stop crying!

[SuzySunshine]

Robert is either sleeping or crying - seriously, those are his two modes. At first it was just evenings and we thought it was "just" colic. Now its constant, really! I'm lucky if I can put him down for 10-15 minutes. We're not breastfeeding or pumping anymore so he's getting all formula and as of noon today he's getting a sensitive formula so we'll see if that helps in the next day or two but since this has been going on for some time I don't think it is food related, unless its breastmilk related which he got his last bottle of in the middle of the night last night. He's been getting some formula (at least 4oz/day) since he was born.

But I would love any suggestions. Most of the time when he's crying if he's not hungry or wet/dirty he's stiff - like board straight from his shoulders to his toes. That just can't be normal. Adele didn't do anything like this so I have no idea what to do but would love any suggestions. Poor Adele is becoming a TV zombie because I can't read with her or play with her 99% of the time.

Anyone?

[HouseofWool]

Is it possible that it is reflux? It can be very painful. Based on the description of him being stiff, that is my first thought. Would your ped write a script for Zantax drops for you?

[SuzySunshine]

I should have mentioned that we think he has reflux, I guess I didn't realize the stiff as a board was a symptom of that. He has an appointment 1/11 but if this continues tomorrow I think I'm going to call the ped. It didn't bother me as much this last week because there were so many other people willing to hold him but when its just the 3 of us I can't sustain this.

Reflux was my first thought, too. I remember Nellie saying something similar when TenE was a baby.

[HouseofWool]

I should have mentioned that we think he has reflux, I guess I didn't realize the stiff as a board was a symptom of that. He has an appointment 1/11 but if this continues tomorrow I think I'm going to call the ped. It didn't bother me as much this last week because there were so many other people willing to hold him but when its just the 3 of us I can't sustain this.

That is what I remember from a friend's baby. She would be just rigid because of the pain. Hopefully you can get R in to see someone tomorrow rather than waiting until the 11th.

In the mean time, don't lay him down, but set him in a car seat or in a bouncy chair. Anything to keep his head above his belly so the reflux isn't as bad.

[Michele]

Re: HELP! He won't stop crying!

Sounds like reflux to me too. Look on reflux.org. How does he do when you wear him?


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:therethere: I'm sorry, Cheri. That is so hard. I agree about getting him in sooner than later and asking about a treatment for reflux. It might really help and that will be good for him most of all but for you too. I would call the pediatrician's office though because that is a lot of crying.

If he does have reflux, the carseat was one of the culprits for us -- E preferred to more vertical than that so I would try something that will prop him up more. Does he like to be in a Bjorn or carrier like that?

[Ravenclaw]

Cheri - definitely see if you can get a scrip for reflux. Have you tried gripe water or chamomile drops? Also they sell mattress wedges to help the acid from coming up.

[JC76]

Sounds exactly like my cousin's little boy. She dealt with the same type of crying for 6 weeks. Baby could only sleep in an upright position. It was so rough on her. Ped finally put him on zantac and everything changed immediately. I find it odd that so many babies are diagnosed with reflux nowadays, but have to admit that in her case it was absolutely the cause.

[SuzySunshine]

Thanks gang I will call the ped in the AM. He is sleeping in his carseat, that angle seems to help but I will try wearing him more as well.

[alison]

(Keep in mind that I know nothing!)

Is R burping a lot?
Does he poop regularly?

I'm so sorry! Let us know how things go.

[bokelley]

I have nothing to add, but I am so sorry. I am sure this is just exhausting on you!

[PrincessFiona]

Cheri, I think you've gotten good suggestions. We also had luck with letting Zoe sleep on her tummy during the day when I was nearby. I know the suggestions for sleep have changed over time..back/side/tummy...so I'm not sure what the current recommendation is. Zoe had reflux and it helped to keep her in a sitting position or carry her so that she was upright. We were able to avoid medication that way.

Kris

[Sheherezade]

I hope it ends up being reflux and there is a prescribed treatment that works magic.

If that doesn't end up being the case, here's my "old wife" advice. Our son was a colic kid - and I didn't get ANY sleep until I cut out a lot of foods in my own diet. All caffeine, chocolate and stimulant type products were eliminated even though all the research shows that not much goes through the breast milk --- but he slept like a charm afterwards. I don't know if you are breast feeding but it is worth a try if all else fails.

We also spent an insane amount of time standing on the bed with baby in arms. The gently "bounce" we got from the bed would settle him after awhile and we could put him down to a sound sleep.

That's all I've got.

[moonlight]

Annabelle has reflux. We started giving her the zantac about 2 weeks ago. She is a totally different (and great!) baby 5 minutes after giving her the meds. We still have issues with hiccups, spit-ups, and some gagging.. but for the most part she isn't crying in pain as long as I give her the meds on time. Let us know what the doc says tomorrow!