Fussy Baby!!!

[fireant]

I think we may now have started our fussy baby weeks! The only way this babe calms down after a feeding now is by being bounced for an hour or two!!!

Any suggestions or techniques that work/worked for you?

TIA

[mcimom]

My dd2 was my "fussy" baby - I don't remember what I did except nurse constantly and cry a lot

Have you read Dr. Sears the Fussy Baby Book? I bet there is a lot of good info in that...otherwise...

try different positions (colic hold always helped my dd2)
put her in a carrier and go for a walk (motion)
white noise
check your diet - anything that might be 'causing' a fussy reaction after a meal?

[BundleFishMama]

Is the fussiness only after feedings? If so, as Leighanne suggested, I'd look at your diet. Does she have any of the other signs of a sensitivity to something in your milk? In general, a nursing infant who is sensitive to something in the mother's diet will be fussy and gassy, particularly right after feedings, but will also have several of the following symptoms: greenish, frothy or watery, foul-smelling stools, severe diaper rash or redness/"burning" around the anus, infant acne, particularly spreading from the face to the body, cradle cap or flaky scalp, dry/static-y hair, frequent hiccups, frequent spitup, possible reflux (you can sometimes tell if a baby is having acid reflux by their arching back and leaning their neck back), and trouble sleeping.

Otherwise it could just be one of those phases

[grace's voice]

With dd our Naturopath gave us a chamomille tincture that helped. Hyland's also makes a colic remedy that has chamomille in it that I used with her. Usually if I put some warm water in the bathtub, got in with her with my hand under her head and floated her and over and over again went "shhhh, shhhh, shhhh" she would calm down. My mom swears by running the vacuum, but that never worked for us, noise upset her more. There were a few songs I sang A LOT when I was pg with her and she would calm down if I'd pace back and forth with her and sing those songs.

[fireant]

Originally Posted by BundleFishMama

Is the fussiness only after feedings? If so, as Leighanne suggested, I'd look at your diet. Does she have any of the other signs of a sensitivity to something in your milk? In general, a nursing infant who is sensitive to something in the mother's diet will be fussy and gassy, particularly right after feedings, but will also have several of the following symptoms: greenish, frothy or watery, foul-smelling stools, severe diaper rash or redness/"burning" around the anus, infant acne, particularly spreading from the face to the body, cradle cap or flaky scalp, dry/static-y hair, frequent hiccups, frequent spitup, possible reflux (you can sometimes tell if a baby is having acid reflux by their arching back and leaning their neck back), and trouble sleeping.

Otherwise it could just be one of those phases

Yikes! She has almost all of those symptoms. I just started a dairy-free diet last Friday in hopes that it may be an allergy. I'm torn between just sticking the course of this diet or calling the doctor to get her tested for reflux. At her last appointment I mentioned the possibility of reflux but her Dr said that it probably wasn't that and it's normal for babies to get fussy after they eat. I'm worried that he's wrong. Errrg! I really want to help her.

She seems to have the hiccups all the time (but she did in utero as well) and she really hates them.

[fireant]

Originally Posted by mcimom

My dd2 was my "fussy" baby - I don't remember what I did except nurse constantly and cry a lot

Have you read Dr. Sears the Fussy Baby Book?

I just finished that book but I've been so conflicted on what it is that's causing her fussiness. I would love for it to be something like my diet so I can change it for her. Cutting out dairy has been really easy for me. I worry that it's reflux. She seems to have so many of all the symptoms that I torn on what to do.

maybe I will call the doctor again tomorrow. I really worry that she could be in pain.

[fireant]

Originally Posted by grace's voice

With dd our Naturopath gave us a chamomille tincture that helped. Hyland's also makes a colic remedy that has chamomille in it that I used with her. Usually if I put some warm water in the bathtub, got in with her with my hand under her head and floated her and over and over again went "shhhh, shhhh, shhhh" she would calm down. My mom swears by running the vacuum, but that never worked for us, noise upset her more. There were a few songs I sang A LOT when I was pg with her and she would calm down if I'd pace back and forth with her and sing those songs.

She LOVES being song to but only by my dh (figures right). I would love to be able to give her a calming bath but she's still scared of the bath right now. When does she get over that?

[fireant]

Originally Posted by grace's voice

With dd our Naturopath gave us a chamomille tincture that helped. Hyland's also makes a colic remedy that has chamomille in it that I used with her. Usually if I put some warm water in the bathtub, got in with her with my hand under her head and floated her and over and over again went "shhhh, shhhh, shhhh" she would calm down. My mom swears by running the vacuum, but that never worked for us, noise upset her more. There were a few songs I sang A LOT when I was pg with her and she would calm down if I'd pace back and forth with her and sing those songs.

She LOVES being sung to but only by my dh (figures right). I would love to be able to give her a calming bath but she's still scared of the bath right now. When does she get over that?

[grace's voice]

Originally Posted by Marlow's mom to be

At her last appointment I mentioned the possibility of reflux but her Dr said that it probably wasn't that and it's normal for babies to get fussy after they eat. I'm worried that he's wrong. Errrg! I really want to help her.

She seems to have the hiccups all the time (but she did in utero as well) and she really hates them.

That seems a little backward to me... aren't babies supposed to be super content during and after nursing? I'd have to disagree with him there.

Dd had a ton of hiccups too. The mw said they'd go away by 6 months and wouldn't bother her. RIGHT! She'd get so mad at them she'd scream and she had them frequently till she was about 2 years old.

I'd suggest staying on the no dairy diet. Dairy is some aweful stuff, it will probably take a few weeks before its out of your system enough to see a dramatic difference though. Also, eggs can do really bad things to nursing babies.

[grace's voice]

Originally Posted by Marlow's mom to be

She LOVES being sung to but only by my dh (figures right). I would love to be able to give her a calming bath but she's still scared of the bath right now. When does she get over that?

Scared of the bath?? hmmm... I dunno, Juels always loved it. I guess I just figured that was natural and took it for granted. I figured it reminded her of the womb. But then maybe its just her, Juels LOVES water still, can't keep her away from it.

[papayapetunia]

Some of the vegetables I ate made dd fussy, like broccoli. Spicy foods too.

[ckhagen]

For the hiccups, I never used it but, a friend of mine who's DD is a little over a month old right now has had a ton of hiccups. She's had awesome success with Hylands Gripe Water! Works like magic for her... I guess you could try it.

[Amys1st]

also- early babies can be over stimulated as I have learned. Also babies spending time in the nicu also almost always have reflux as does Maggie. Hers is so little and is treated by zantac

But she spends most of her time in the sling or in one or our arms. I dusted today while she cuddled up and slept in the sling. The motion sooths her and she doozes off. Shes has a fussy time about every other day. She is having it as I am posting so she is slung and I am doing the sway as I type. : Also walk at night and she sleeps.

Somethings I have heard that make a bfed baby fussy:
chocolate
onions
dairy products like milk, cheese, eggs but not icnl yogurt
aspargus
broccoli
berries of any sort
I also drink the nursing mamas tea which contains similar ingredients and that should also help w fussiness. Or your baby could just be in a phase but I understand your worriness!

[StacyL]

Originally Posted by Marlow's mom to be

Any suggestions or techniques that work/worked for you?

TIA

SWADDLE SWADDLE SWADDLE your babe. It helps a lot. A Miracle Blanket is a wonderful thing. The Dr. Karp book shows how to swaddle with a regular receiving blanket if you don't wwant to get a Miracle Blanket, but the MB is worth it!

[fireant]

Originally Posted by Amys1st

also- early babies can be over stimulated as I have learned. Also babies spending time in the nicu also almost always have reflux as does Maggie. Hers is so little and is treated by zantac

Does the zantac have any negative side-effects for Maggie?

Is the reason NICU babies tend to have reflux because they're mostly preemies?

sorry I must sound desperate right now....well, I guess I am. I wish the dr's office was open this late!

[fireant]

Originally Posted by ckhagen

For the hiccups, I never used it but, a friend of mine who's DD is a little over a month old right now has had a ton of hiccups. She's had awesome success with Hylands Gripe Water! Works like magic for her... I guess you could try it.

I've heard of that stuff but haven't tried it. Maybe I can have my dh go get some now

[BundleFishMama]

It takes a minimum of 7-10 days for a potential allergen like dairy to clear your system enough to see if that's what is really bothering her - so give it some time and see if it improves, try to not worry too much!

[Amys1st]

I agree swadle. But neither of my girls liked to be swadled dd1 kicked hers off at age 20 minutes old. But they like being in the sling all cozy so same thing really.

As far as zantac- no real side effects. She takes it fine and if she dosent get it, she gets a bit cranky. Most premies have some sort of reflux. Maggies is so little- basically she gets cranky if not getting it but some babies spit everything up and need to be sunctioned etc. She did too when she was real real small. But she is growing out of it like everything else. She rarely spits up unless she is overfed which is almost never!

[mcimom]

Yes - swaddling - cozy cacoon: http://store.naturalbabies.com/store...Cat=CozyCocoon

Mikey has the blue tie dye limited addition - he sleeps in it every night. Well worth the $25 (not that I spent my own $ for it, it was a gift so that's easy for me to say!)

Also - wrt the bath - I took herbal baths each post partum day with Mikey up to 6 days. The first few times, he cried and I had to nurse him until he calmed down - now he just sinks right in and LOVES it. You may want to give it a few tries and see if she just needs to get acclimated perhaps?

And dittos on the diet suggestions - it will take up to 2 weeks to see results...easier said than done with a crying baby I know! mama

[kdabbler]

Originally Posted by Marlow's mom to be

The only way this babe calms down after a feeding now is by being bounced for an hour or two!!!

Amy has already mentioned this. It sounds to me like your dd's a prime candidate for either a sling or wrap. You can feed her and then go for a walk to calm her down. Check out the Babywearing forum here on MDC.