I've had it... UPDATE #2

Update #2:

Just to keep everyone posted who has given me such awesome advice...

Soy was NOT the miracle answer. . It must have just been a "good" night. I had such a rough night of crying/screaming with him again last night. I was at my wit's end. I decided to take it upon myself to give him the Zantac I had, which was prescribed by the on-call doc, but which my doc said he didn't think was necessary. My doc doesn't think he has reflux and didn't see the need to test the poopie diapers I brought in. Didn't get many answers from going to see the doc yesterday, unfortunately. I guess I'm on my own? Or I have to find a FANTASTIC doctor in the Islip area and switch.

In the meantime, I took the advice of a few people and ordered "The Happiest Baby on the Block" book on my kindle. I've been reading it feverishly hoping to learn how to calm him. I tried a few things before, which seemed to work, but his frantic, screaming times are at night, so we'll see if it works if (when) it God forbid happens again... I did learn that I was swaddling wrong and let him have a bit too much freedom by not keeping his hands at his sides. It's still so sad seeing his sweet little face look up at me when I have him swaddled - like I'm punishing him or something - but I have to suck it up if it keeps him happy and calm.

I'll keep you all posted. I pray for a better night tonight. Thanks, again, so much for all your help and support.


Please see update below...

I honestly don't know how I'm going to deal with this nonstop crying/screaming! And now I'm crying along with my poor boy. I don't know what to do.

We've tried EVERYTHING. I feel so helpless and alone in this - especially with the prospect of DH going back to work in less than 48 hours. Mylicon, Little Tummys, Colic Calm...

I know I'm not the only one who has dealt with this, but I sure as hell feel like I am. I never in a MILLION years thought that it would be this hard - or that DS would CRY/SCREAM this much and that I wouldn't get a moment's rest. I'm so stressed out. As soon as my head hits the pillow, it seems he immediately starts crying. NOTHING is working.

He's been on Gentlease for over 2 weeks and we're switching him to Soy. DH just ran to get it. I feel like NO ONE is helping me - sure as hell not my doctor who can't understand the screaming we're enduring when he doesn't offer anything proactive for us to DO to make this situation better. An on-call doc called in Zantac for us, but I haven't given it to him because he hasn't officially been diagnosed as having acid reflux. Should I just start him on it?

He passes gas painfully like CRAZY. His whole little body just tenses up. Then the screaming.

I guess I'm just venting... I just don't know how anyone make it through this. I feel like I need help!

UPDATE:

First of all - thank you ALL for your support. I so appreciate everyone reaching out to me with their advice, suggestions, experience, help, etc.

Just to clarify, though - I absolutely DO always burp my baby! I don't want people to think I don't! I try half way through (at 2oz) and he flips out thinking he's done, but I try to elicit a burp and do about half the time. Then at the end, I burp him and usually get a GREAT burp that you can smell for a mile away and kiss him for giving me such a good burp!

Last night, DH went out and bought Prosobee Soy Formula. We tried it at midnight and he SLEPT until 4:15am! Then I gave it to him then and he slept until 8am! Like, GOOD sleep. NO GRUNTING, which I thought was just "his thing". It must have been little pain grunts. He had some gas this morning, and when I gave him Mylicon, he fell asleep.

I called the doc and will bring him in today - and this time I'm seeing the doctor I WANT to see. Hopefully he confirms why I chose him to begin with - or else I'm looking elsewhere in the Islip area.

After reading all the fantastic and supportive posts with GREAT suggestions, I increased the white noise volume big time. I switch him between the Fisher Price Rock n Play Sleeper and the My Little Lamb Swing (both have a nice incline) and put a folded up blanket under his head when I change him - which resulted in our first scream-free diaper change! And it has the bonus result of him looking right at me so I can talk to him better during the change and look into those big beautiful eyes of his!

I'm going to look into the miracle blanket and I have two poopie diapers in our fridge (ew!) which I had to convince DH was okay since I have it in a Ziploc, a shopping bag AND a Ziploc container so it doesn't "contaminate" the rest of the fridge contents! lol. I'm bringing those to the doc today. I'll also look into the nap nanny. And I will go buy Flora Baby.

Thank you, again, so much for all the advice and confirming that I'm not alone. The support I've received is why I love these boards. THANK YOU!!!

Message edited 9/7/2011 6:35:59 PM.

Re: I've had it...

Are you sure he doesn't have a milk allergy? I thought you were BF'ing? If you were and were on dairy that could bother him. Or the switch from BM to formula...hard to say. Why don't you bring a diaper to the ped and have them test for blood. If its there he has a milk allergy-soy formula may help but 60% of dairy allergic kids are soy allergic..

Re: I've had it...

Re: I've had it...

Are you using RTF formula or powder? DD had an issue with powder and did better on RTF. If you are using powder, try double boiling the water.

Also, did you Read Happiest Baby on the Block? Some very good calming techniques in there.

You are not alone and I know what it is like to cry as you hold your infant screaming in pain. If you are unhappy with the ped, switch. Oh and start the Zantac, it won't hurt him!!

Re: I've had it...

what was the reason the on call dr prescribe zantac? if he/she prescribed it i would just give it to him.
not sure about soy - it actually made my ds worse

you can try chamomile tea, if its gas you can lay your ds on his back and move his legs as if he was riding a bicycle

my ds was like this and then we noticed blood in his diapers. he winded up having milk protein allergy and was switched to alimentum. not even 24 hrs later i had a brand new baby..

i hope u get some rest and ur ds feels better.. poor little baby

Re: I've had it...

I remember those days all too well..

My first DS was like you describe. It kicked in when he was about 3 weeks old. He was miserable and so were we. Our ped said his symptoms were reflux, even though we didn't do any official testing. He was very gassy and didnt spit up- but he screamed bloody murder whenever he lay flat. In order to sleep, he had to be elevated. So he slept in his infant carrier, bouncy seat, swing.

We switched him to Alimentum formula. It took a couple of days, but we noticed a huge difference. The ped recommended it, as well as Prevacid. Other things that worked for us when he cried/fussed:

-white noise (can download or buy CD with vacuum noise, etc)

- swaddling with miracle blanket.

- walks outside in stroller (or around the house on a rainy day)

- Held him and bounced on an exercise ball while I watched TV (calmed him and bonus, I lost weight).

- car rides


He still had his fussy moments even after we treated the reflux, but it was easier and subsided a lot by 12 weeks. GL to you!!!!!

Re: I've had it...

Try Colic Ease!! It's a type of gripe water and it does wonders. I have been using it woth my boys since they were about 2 months old and they are now 2.5. You can get it in Sherry's in Babylon or online at www.colicease.com

Re: I've had it...

I've been there too! DD cried every waking moment for the first 4 months of her life. I promise you, it will get better. Unfortunately we never found a cure for DD, but one thing that was a huge help was getting out of the house and taking some time for myself. Can you have your parents come over a couple of nights a week so you can get out for an hour or so? I got really into yoga while I was pregnant and I can't fully express how much it helped me with all of the stress. Yoga may not be your thing, but try to find something that helps you unwind a little bit.

It will get better!

Re: I've had it...

Posted by WNA01

what was the reason the on call dr prescribe zantac? if he/she prescribed it i would just give it to him.
not sure about soy - it actually made my ds worse

you can try chamomile tea, if its gas you can lay your ds on his back and move his legs as if he was riding a bicycle

my ds was like this and then we noticed blood in his diapers. he winded up having milk protein allergy and was switched to alimentum. not even 24 hrs later i had a brand new baby..

i hope u get some rest and ur ds feels better.. poor little baby

Re: I've had it...

Re: I've had it...

did you try lying him down with a vacuum on next to him? try it--it was the only thing to help my colicky DS. it does get better--i personally believe that they over-prescribe zantac, and that some babies just cry...a lot. DS was on zantac, but looking back, i wish the ped had just told me to deal with it. i was like you, thinking it HAD to be something wrong...but they are also just getting used to LIFE, and breathing, and sounds, KWIM?

Re: I've had it...

Posted by teaforthree

Posted by Annie91606


- swaddling with miracle blanket.

Is the Miracle Blanket that much better/different than the Swaddle Me? I have it in my shopping cart on Amazon, ready to order, but I'm afraid my DS will HATE me if I do this to him. He loves having access to his hands and I feel like the Miracle Blanket will restrict him even more than the Swaddle Me. When I'm wrapping him in the Swaddle Me, I feel like the worst person in the world for restricting him so much - even though I know it helps him once he's already sleeping with the startle reflux. While he's laying there awake, though, instead of falling asleep, he just struggles to get out.

Re: I've had it...

Message edited 9/5/2011 9:21:10 PM.

Re: I've had it...

Posted by Annie91606

I remember those days all too well..

My first DS was like you describe. It kicked in when he was about 3 weeks old. He was miserable and so were we. Our ped said his symptoms were reflux, even though we didn't do any official testing. He was very gassy and didnt spit up- but he screamed bloody murder whenever he lay flat. In order to sleep, he had to be elevated. So he slept in his infant carrier, bouncy seat, swing.

We switched him to Alimentum formula. It took a couple of days, but we noticed a huge difference. The ped recommended it, as well as Prevacid. Other things that worked for us when he cried/fussed:

-white noise (can download or buy CD with vacuum noise, etc)

- swaddling with miracle blanket.

- walks outside in stroller (or around the house on a rainy day)

- Held him and bounced on an exercise ball while I watched TV (calmed him and bonus, I lost weight).

- car rides


He still had his fussy moments even after we treated the reflux, but it was easier and subsided a lot by 12 weeks. GL to you!!!!!

Message edited 9/5/2011 9:22:20 PM.

Re: I've had it...

I honestly thought my DD was colicky because she was just SO MISERABLE all the time - search my posts and you will see!! What really helped (and I wish I'd done it sooner) was reading The Happiest Baby on the Block and implementing the 5 S's.

Swaddle
Side
Shush
Swing
Suck

One thing I wish I knew early on was the LOUDER the white noise the better. We got a $20 homemedics sound spa and put it on the Waterfall setting on high and it plays all night. It sounds REALLY loud but it's the same decible level, or close to it, that your DS heard in the womb.

Do the 5 S's in order and you might see a great improvement. Swaddling will help him. He is struggling, yes, but the swaddling will help him pay attending to the other 4 S's making them more effective.

Put him on his side in your arms, swing him side to side, shush loudly/use the sound machine, and when he calms down enough, give him a paci (if you are comfortable with that).

Changing formula too much isn't really a good idea, keep in mind that some babies are just high need and yes, a lot of newborns are born with under-developed gastro systems making them gassier than normal. The soy might help but if it's a true milk allergy it might not since soy is close in chemical composition to lactose.

Good luck

Re: I've had it...

DD was getting like this due to her acid reflux. The ped had us start putting a teaspoon of rice cereal in every bottle. She's a new baby since then! I know Enfamil AR has the rice starch in it. Maybe try that before the soy.

Also, DD has been sleeping on her belly since about 6 weeks. She just does so much better that way. Maybe put your DS on is belly and rub his back.

Re: I've had it...

As others are suggesting, I would bring a poopy diaper to the ped so they can test for blood. My son was non-stop crying miserable (and so were we) and because of posts I'd read on this site, I knew to bring a diaper into the doctor's office. They found blood. He was also diagnosed with reflux and was on multiple medications. Good luck

Re: I've had it...

he may also be a tough burp. DS1 needed to be burped every 1/2oz and it took a lot of effort to get everything out, too. it WILL get better - it's a shame they don't come with manuals.

Re: I've had it...

I wouldn't just change formulas before talking to your Dr.

Try to get an appointment and bring him in tomorrow.

This was my DD and she has a milk protein allergy and silent reflux. Elecare and Zantac have helped a lot but she still has her moments.

Be careful with soy formula...if it is a milk protein allergy a lot of babies can;t tolerate soy either.
And if it's not an allergy soy formula can constipate them causing a whole new reason to scream

Re: I've had it...

I'm sorry you feel alone. as you can see you are not alone at all.

I went through the same with DS#1. We tried mylicon and gripe water and that didn't work. Ulteimately we changed his formula from Similac to Similac sensitive. In the meantime we gave him Chammomile tea. The tea helped almost immediately. I gave him 1 oz with his 4 oz bottle. At first we gave it in a dropper.

Luckily for us the chammomile and the formula changed. Definitely don't feel bad about calling your ped or taking him in. Maybe he does have acid reflux or a milk allergy. You are your DS' advocate...don't feel bad about being pushy.

Hope he feels better soon!

Re: I've had it...

Oh boy...do I remember those days. they were hard. My DD cried for the first 3 months...what seemed like all day and night. Like you, I tried everything. The only thing that really worked was time. Some things seemed to make it a little better like the Miracle Blanket, Good Start formula, gas drops, etc. But i don't think there is any magic answer.

I was dog tired all the time...and used to cry during the day because i was so tired that my poor DH thought I had Post Partum Depression. It's sad, but I was actually happy to be going back to work. Once she hit around 4 or 5 months, she settled into a good routine. So, the first 4 months didn't kill me, but I think it aged me about 10 years!

Good luck!!!!

Re: I've had it...

The beginning is so rough, especially when dealing with the crying.

Definately get the Miracle Blanket - it is SO much better than the Swaddle Me.

Do the 5s. They work wonders.

Bring in a poopy diaper to your ped tomorrow.

Good luck, I hope you and your baby get some relief soon!

Re: I've had it...

Did you see my post on your other thread? Did you try to keep him elevated at all times? Wear him in a sling or Ergo during the day to keep him upright, get the FP Rock & Play Sleeper. I had my DH run out at 8:30 at night to get it the day DS was diagnosed. Gripe water worked better for DS than mylicon, but we didn't need it any more once I kept DS upright. Bring a poopy diaper in tomorrow to get tested for a milk protein allergy. Are his stools mucousy/stringy at all? That would indicate an allergy. I would eliminate dairy from your diet for the time being if you're continuing to BF.

Re: I've had it...

I'm confused...are you BFing or FFing from here on out? I know nothing about formula, but it will take about 2 weeks or longer for the dairy to leave your system if it is an allergy. I would also eliminate any soy products too (soybean oil is usually okay though) for the time being, and add them back in if he doesn't have the allergy. It's so hard, I've been there so I know Do you have a sling or a carrier?

Re: I've had it...

My son was/is the same way but at 3 weeks I saw a tiny bit of blood in his diaper, which prompted the pediatrician to test for a milk allergy. There were days he cried on and off the majority of the day (screaming). You might as well rule out the mlik allergy. And my pediatrician was very understanding and concerened, so I don't understand these doctors that minimize things--it really doesn't help the situation! And if he does have a milk allergy, many of them are also allergic to the soy so be careful of that too. He is now 10 weeks and although not perfect, things are MUCH better. He used to wake up miserable every morning, and that started hours of crying. Now he is a happy baby a lot of the time.

Nutramigen was the first formula recommended by the ped. due to the milk allergy (it is also supposed to be good for colic). It is in the stores, a bit more expensive than Enfamil. There is also a slimiar one by Similac. Although this did not work for us, it does for many people (my son is now on Neocate, which is the most broken down formula).

He also has the reflux and we have Axid and are seeing a GI. We were told to use Maalax which has helped a lot with his gas, and Beachnut Oatmeal for the reflux (be careful with rice cereal because it can be constipating). I wouldn't do any of these things without talking to your dr. though. If the doctor won't help you, I personally would swich to another pediatrician.

But like everyone told me also...it will get better with time!!! (no matter what it is)