Fussy Baby...

Maddie&EthansMom wrote: Okay, Ethan is a really good baby, BUT.... I know most babies have their fussy times and he certainly has his. He starts getting fussy around five and stays that way until we go to bed (usually 11:30). Is there anything I can do to calm him down? It seems like he wants to nurse every 30 mins at night...what do I do???? It could be the acid reflux kicking in. I don't believe in CIO so should I just wear the sling all evening?

TIA for any suggestions!

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Awww I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this! Maybe he has gas? Have you tried giving him some gripe water or oval drops? Maybe a warm bath might help. Claudia had her fussy times too, if I remember correctly it was around 6-7 in the evening. I hope he settles for you.

MilMunchMOM replied: aaaaawwww! Kari had a fussy time too. SHe would start around 5 or 6 and go on until she went to sleep around 8. My dh and i would just pass her back and forth between the two of us. It only lasted for a few months. We don't believe in CIO either.

kimberley replied: i think the sling is a good idea. i know Jade went through that at about 1-2 months where she just needed to be close to me and she would sleep like an angel. she is getting that way again with her teething (i think she is getting all 4 front teeth at once ) and i use my sling a lot. singing works for her too. maybe you could try rocking/singing him to sleep. another thing i remembered. until about 4 months, Jade slept better when she was swaddled. she constantly woke herself up with her jerky movements and i guess being held close by the blanket made her feel more secure. hope he settles down soon for you. let us know how it goes.

coasterqueen replied: Aimee,

See if this link will help http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/fussy-evening.html

It was a great source of info when Kylie was fussy in the evenings! HTH!

kit_kats_mom replied: I never bought this book because luckily K wasn't too fussy. However, I did refer to this site a lot during the few times we did go though those periods. I really like Dr. Sears' and most of his stuff has worked for me. Here's the link http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp

happy reading.

Jamison'smama replied: I second (or third) the sling recommendation. Jamison was fussy about the same times as Ethan and the sling was about the only thing that worked. You just have to put it on and get moving--babies don't like you to be still when you first put them in the sling. Hope something helps--hugs to you!

juliajaj replied: I watched a video called "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp. He focuses on the 5 Ss to calm a child (I think they are swaddle, side/stomach, shush, sway, suck, shush). The video was pretty impressive because he demonstrated the techniques on babies as young as 2 weeks old, and I couldn't believe how quickly the babies calmed down & remained calm for a long time. He has a book of the same title. I was able to check the video out at our local library, so you might want to check if your library has a copy of it or the book.

Here's his web site:

The Happiest Baby on the Block

Schnoogly replied: Yes, swaddle in the sling, and nursing every 30 min in the evening is pretty normal for newborn. He might be having a growth spurt too.

Maybe he wants to go to bed earlier? If he's awake from 5-11 that's a LONG time for a newborn to be awake.

I also got a balance ball (exercise ball) and held him in the sling and sat on it and bounced. That usually got him to be quiet, and to sleep. That ball saved my life for a while--at least I could sit down and still be moving!

Have you seen this too?

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/T051200.asp

Lots of good ideas there. Has the ped checked him for reflux yet? Keeping him upright after feeding (up on your shoulder in the sling) will help. Small, frequent feedings also help reflux babies.

((Hugs)) I've sure BTDT. Every day is like an eternity with a fussy baby!

ETA, I saw Cary already gave you that link LOL. Cary, you're reading my mind

Schnoogly replied: Also, it's kind of an extreme solution, but this device completely saved my life, and now Dr. Sears is endorsing it. I think they are selling them in the US now so you don't have to have it shipped from Australia.

http://www.askdrsears.com/amby.asp

jen replied: Wow you got some GREAT advice Aimee!!! I just popped in to say HI and I hope he gets less fussy!!!! and to give you a BIG ((((((((HUG)))))))))

Your babies are beautiful!!!


*** I also wanted to add that the tullips in your avatar are not realistic as mine have just gone to their final resting place in my garbage can!!!!!!!!!! I CAN't BELIEVE how Beautiful they are! I know it was at an arboretum but mine DIED and never looked like that in the PRIME of THEIR LIFE! Oh well!

California Girls replied: Zoey and I went through the same thing! It was very trying. If I were able to get her to go to sleep, the littlest thing would wake her up again and we'd have to start from the beginning. DH works nights and I have a rambunctious 2 yr old, so I hung in there alone on this one. I also disagree with CIO at this age. I would just hold her and nurse her for hours until she fell asleep. Mylicon drops did help when she seemed in pain. But mostly I'd just walk around with her and rock her. She seemed to like Big swings back and forth and "shh shh shh."

The good news is - She's grown out of it and is only just a little cranky now and much more happy. She's much more of a sound sleeper. Hang in there. It WILL get better!!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Thanks you guys for all the links and the great advice. It is getting better. It's amazing how much you forget through the years. I don't know what I would do without this board.



It isn't that he is awake the entire time, he just doesn't sleep as well and wants to be held the entire time (in order to go to sleep) If I am holding him he will sleep really well and he only does this at night. He is just really fussy and can't seem to get comfortable in his bassinet (or anywhere else). The sling seems to be working.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:


I heard about this when I was pg, but I had forgotten about it. Thank you for the reminder. One thing I keep forgetting to do is swaddle him. It seems to help almost immediately. I'm definetly buying the book. I see that he has a toddler book, too. I may get both!!