anyone else have a fussy/cranky baby? - Page 2

[farmerjess]

Originally Posted by mamanurse

Everyone says to cut out this or cut out that, but I pretty much refuse. She went 5 weeks as a happy baby with me eating and drinking what I pleased. I pretty much guarantee that she will be that happy baby again around 3 months without me torturing myself with elimination diets.
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Man, I think listening to a baby cry is about the most torturous thing in the world, totally worth changing your diet. Maybe not the total elim diet, but cutting out a couple things is pretty easy for me at least. I would agree that many more people do it than need to. But for some people it seems to work like night and day. We are off of wheat and dairy right now because last time I tried them he woke up with a huge rash all over his neck and forehead, an allergy ring type diaper rash, and swollen puffy eyes. It all came very suddenly and went away very suddenly. I dunno I guess each person has to decide what they would rather live with--an uber fussy baby or some minor dietary restrictions that might make a big difference.

[thefragile7393]

Originally Posted by mkmb129

What brand of gripe water do those of you who use it have/recommend? And where can I get it?!

I use Wellements, which I've found (so far) only at my local Walgreens drug store. They carry two brands (I think Baby Bliss is the other one) but I liked this one better since it has chammomile as well. http://www.wellements.com/ It looks like you can get it online as well.

[jlbaby]

thefragile:
wow how funny! i have so many friends with the typical "1st baby's easy, 2nd baby's difficult" syndrome! (they say it's nature's sneaky way of helping you procreate. i agree.)

but i must say, i haven't even had a chance to purchase gripe water yet, and DD seems to be mellowing out as we approach her 6-week mark. she's a bit less fussy altogether, smiling tons, and having more quiet alert time than ever before......where she coos and talks. i can't believe she's not crying all the time when awake. it's been about 4-5 days now, so i think it may last! she still absolutely abhorrs the car, but eventually she's gotta grow out of that.

oh and i finally got the hang of the moby (thanks to all for the tips! youtube rocks!) and she stayed in it for like 3-4 minutes yesterday. i'm hoping we can slowly build up her tolerance for it. that thing is so cozy, i'd love to wear it more often.

[jlbaby]

Originally Posted by farmerjess

Man, I think listening to a baby cry is about the most torturous thing in the world...

ITA. it's usually a daily struggle of: do i drive somewhere and have to listen to DD's heartbreaking wail, or stay home for more self-induced cabin fever?? not the most fun decision, but pretty much what it comes down to...

[thefragile7393]

I'm glad she seems to be mellowing out! A seems to be grumpy much of the time but I suspect it's partially due to her stuffed-up nose and me being gone much of the day and she just lets it all out.

[gabysmom617]

Originally Posted by mamanurse

Sorry to all y'all with cranky and fussy babes. I especially feel bad for those with babes who are like that 24-7.

My first dd had "colic" which I found out is just a label for a baby who cries A LOT. Dd1 cried for 4-5 hours inconsolably every night from about 5-12 weeks. She would only not be crying when she was eating. It was so very sad. Then she was the happiest baby ever at 3 months.

If you'd asked me 3 days ago, I would have said dd2 was not fussy or cranky yet. But...for the last 2 nights she has been crying inconsolably. It's terrible. The good news is that dh and I have BTDT and take it pretty well knowing it will all be over in 7 short weeks. Yeah right... short.

My back and shoulders are killing me, though, from hours of swaying and pacing the floor with her in my arms. Luckily, she appears to be happy during the day and the fussiness doesn't set in until between 5 or 6 at night. Of course, this is only her pattern after 2 days of this behavior

Everyone says to cut out this or cut out that, but I pretty much refuse. She went 5 weeks as a happy baby with me eating and drinking what I pleased. I pretty much guarantee that she will be that happy baby again around 3 months without me torturing myself with elimination diets.

My dh is convinced that there are far too many moms not eating dairy, wheat, etc... because their babes are "sensitive" to it. He thinks that they cut something out and the baby seems better, but it's a placebo effect. I told him that can't possibly be true all the time, but I do feel there is some truth to what he's saying.

I'm kinda on the same line of thought, although if it gets too bad, I'll cut out some stuff. I had to cut out dairy with my first kid because he was screaming, and when he got older, I'd try a little dairy again, (lactose free milk) and it made his intestines bleed a bit, in his stool. He has a severe milk allergy like his dad.

BUT
for this kid, he's not quite as miserable as my first one, but sometimes he seemed a little bit cranky and uncomfortable. I have to be honest here. This was my "surprise" baby, and I wasn't very thrilled at the idea of having to go through spendings years avoiding certain foods to keep nursing, all over again.

SO.
I started to give my kid probiotics because we were dealing with a bit of thrush.

I have to say, in terms of his tummy, it's almost liked dealing with a different baby. It doesn't make his gas go away, it just seems to make it easier to pass. (I seem to notice a similar affect in myself. ) It seems to keep everything "moving" instead of painfully stuck. when he has lots of gas, it seems to pass effortlessly and painlessly through his gut without much effort. Instead of grunting and crying, we have coos and intent stares, with maybe a slight wince and whimper seconds before some gas passes...it's no longer such a huge deal. He seems MUCH more comfortable.

Then I thought to myself
I used to drink sweet acidiphilos milk when i was a kid because my mom is lactose intolerant and it's the only kind she could drink, .
and therefore the only milk she ever kept in the house. Probiotics help mild lactose intolerant...it says so right on the bottle, duh! Where is my brain? So I"m keeping up the probiotics up so I can keep my diet pretty open.

[TaraRae82]

I've only cut out what I KNOW bothers Ally. Right now the only things I can't eat are milk and ice cream. She does fine with cheese and cream sauces. Go fig. If I have the others, she has major projectile spit up issues.

I agree you shouldn't just cut things out because it might bother them.

[mamanurse]

Originally Posted by farmerjess

But for some people it seems to work like night and day. We are off of wheat and dairy right now because last time I tried them he woke up with a huge rash all over his neck and forehead, an allergy ring type diaper rash, and swollen puffy eyes.

I would totally do dietary changes for what you're describing. If I thought a dietary change would help, I'd consider it. In our case, her fussiness started recently so it leads me to believe it's a phase. I also believe a lot of babes are fussy between 4-12 weeks as this is what a lot of the moms in our group tell me.

[pcasylum]

I agree. Many babies are just fussy, and no amount of dietary restriction is going to change that. Yes, some babies DEFINITELY need mom to make a diet change. But many others don't. It's hard, but it's true. My little one is a fairly fussy little guy; it is quite obvious that it is his temperament and nothing is going to change it other than tincture of time. It's frustrating and tiring and makes me feel so frazzled some days, but having gone through this before I can say that time *does* change things. This too shall pass.