Hi All. I'm new to the boards, and I just wanted to introduce myself to you and share my story, and to vent a bit. I'm here for some advice, so if you have any, please share ...
Matthew (a twin) born 4/26/2010 has had some version of colic since the very beginning. He cries for hours on end, nothing will calm him down, etc etc etc. When he cries he grabs at his chest so much that he gives himself bloody scratches.
We discussed this with his pedi at his 4 month appointment, and he let us know that after 3 months, it's more of an "immature GI issue". He suggested that we go on very expensive Neutomigen treating it as a cow's milk allergy, even though Matthew probably doesn't have that (because he doesn't have bloody stools) ... he also referred us to Early Intervention, because we are concerned with Matthew's lack of cooing and how stiff he is all the time in his arms and legs. (He does make eye contact and smiles, so those are good signs developmentally.) We haven't met with the therapist yet to get him evaluated, but "we're on the list".
He might be happy for a few minutes, but if he hears a noise, or if we drive over a bump, he is screaming like someone poured boiling water over his head. I've never heard anything like it. Other people that I've spoken to about this think he might have sensory issues ...
We were on the expensive formula for a few weeks, but didn't see enough of a difference to justify the cost. We went back on Genlease, but he's worse than ever and I think I'm ready to try the hypoallergenic formula again. (Any difference between Neutramagin or Allimentum?). He is on Prevacid solutabs, but I'm not sure that's helping or making a difference.
He NEEDS to be swaddled at 6 months old to even get to sleep. He needs to be reswaddled 3-6 times a night, because he gets his arms out and pulls out his paci. He NEEDS a paci to sleep, but immidiately spits it out when he falls asleep and then wakes up wanting it back. I'm so tired from getting up every half hour to reswaddle or put the paci back in, I can't even see straight. I've tried skipping the paci, but honestly, the crying goes on and on and on and on ... and letting him cry it out doesn't work. He doesn't stop. He won't resort to sucking his fingers to calm himself down.
A separate, but maybe related issue - we've tried rice cereal for about 3 weeks now, and he refuses to swallow it. No matter the consistency of it, it comes right out. He cries through the entire process, which probably doesn't help any ... but I'm not sure if he doesn't like the texture, the taste, or if it's a swallowing issue ... he does fine with his bottle.
How long is too long to swaddle? How do I deal with the paci in-out-in-out all night long?
Most importantly, what do I do to get a happier 6 month old? His twin brother, Jacob, is just about perfect, and it kills me that Matthew is so evidently miserable. It just seems like he's in pain.
My two year old daughter had some similar issues the first few months, but she grew out of them by 3 months of age. The intensity with which he cries, combined with the frequency, and the fact that it's continuing to almost 6 months just has me worried that it's something more chronic. I'm not sure how to handle this, and need something to be done immediately to help him/us.
Please. Help.
Matthew (a twin) born 4/26/2010 has had some version of colic since the very beginning. He cries for hours on end, nothing will calm him down, etc etc etc. When he cries he grabs at his chest so much that he gives himself bloody scratches.
We discussed this with his pedi at his 4 month appointment, and he let us know that after 3 months, it's more of an "immature GI issue". He suggested that we go on very expensive Neutomigen treating it as a cow's milk allergy, even though Matthew probably doesn't have that (because he doesn't have bloody stools) ... he also referred us to Early Intervention, because we are concerned with Matthew's lack of cooing and how stiff he is all the time in his arms and legs. (He does make eye contact and smiles, so those are good signs developmentally.) We haven't met with the therapist yet to get him evaluated, but "we're on the list".
He might be happy for a few minutes, but if he hears a noise, or if we drive over a bump, he is screaming like someone poured boiling water over his head. I've never heard anything like it. Other people that I've spoken to about this think he might have sensory issues ...
We were on the expensive formula for a few weeks, but didn't see enough of a difference to justify the cost. We went back on Genlease, but he's worse than ever and I think I'm ready to try the hypoallergenic formula again. (Any difference between Neutramagin or Allimentum?). He is on Prevacid solutabs, but I'm not sure that's helping or making a difference.
He NEEDS to be swaddled at 6 months old to even get to sleep. He needs to be reswaddled 3-6 times a night, because he gets his arms out and pulls out his paci. He NEEDS a paci to sleep, but immidiately spits it out when he falls asleep and then wakes up wanting it back. I'm so tired from getting up every half hour to reswaddle or put the paci back in, I can't even see straight. I've tried skipping the paci, but honestly, the crying goes on and on and on and on ... and letting him cry it out doesn't work. He doesn't stop. He won't resort to sucking his fingers to calm himself down.
A separate, but maybe related issue - we've tried rice cereal for about 3 weeks now, and he refuses to swallow it. No matter the consistency of it, it comes right out. He cries through the entire process, which probably doesn't help any ... but I'm not sure if he doesn't like the texture, the taste, or if it's a swallowing issue ... he does fine with his bottle.
How long is too long to swaddle? How do I deal with the paci in-out-in-out all night long?
Most importantly, what do I do to get a happier 6 month old? His twin brother, Jacob, is just about perfect, and it kills me that Matthew is so evidently miserable. It just seems like he's in pain.
My two year old daughter had some similar issues the first few months, but she grew out of them by 3 months of age. The intensity with which he cries, combined with the frequency, and the fact that it's continuing to almost 6 months just has me worried that it's something more chronic. I'm not sure how to handle this, and need something to be done immediately to help him/us.
Please. Help.
I hope someone else can chime in with more detailed advice!
she hasn't done that since but her sleep has gotten better because she can't escape. I just make sure she sleeps in a onesie or tshirt and then I use a very thin muslin blanket for the second swaddle so she doesn't overheat.
