Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Okay this is totally jumbled, random, and probably doesn't make much sense... but please try to help if you can!

Loey had a bad afternoon/night yesterday!

He was super fussy and squirmy for most of the afternoon and night.

Basically I got home around 3:30 and fed him at 3:45. After that, he was okay for a while but a little fussy and squirmy.... I gave him a bath (which he LOVES) and then around 5:15 went to put him down for a nap but he was just not having it! I ended up BFing him because I honestly couldn't figure out what was wrong! He fell asleep for a bit after that but woke up screaming! He was crying a REAL cry and arching his back (which is new!) I ended up BFing him again just to calm him down (which I know I probably shouldn't do) but he kept squirming and pulling off... and sometimes would let out gas while squirming.

He finally fell asleep and slept for a good while but again woke up screaming, arching his back, and just crying so hard! Most of the time when I see him cry, he never has tears... but these times he did! It broke my heart.

Do you think it was just gas? I gave him Mylicon after I BF'd him but it didn't seem to help.

Do you recommend something else for gas?

My BIL thought he could be teething... is that possible? He'll be 16 weeks on Friday. How do I know if he is?

He kind of squirmed around and ate off and on all night... so neither of us really got any sleep. How can I help my little guy?

Also, Steve has said that Loey seems to not be really following his usual schedule. We usually do: eat, play, sleep. and basically he eats every 3.5 hours. but Steve said that yesterday Loey wasn't eating the full amount - he seemed to get "bored" and then would play, then eat some more, then nap but only for an hour.

What kind of semi-schedule are your babies on?

I think I'm having trouble in general because obviously as a new parent, I'm constantly wondering if I'm doing the right thing and I tend to be very impressionable... so I'll read something and think that it's right and try to do that, but then I'll question it. And then read something else that contradicts that completely... then start questioning even more! Like the whole "eat, play, sleep" thing... is that what I should do? I don't even know WHY I think that's the right way!

Can anyone help a confused mommy?

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Could be teething, could be gas. Did YOU eat anything new or different? Broccoli, cabbage etc?

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

First of all, no matter what you do, it's the right thing. Don't second guess what you're doing. It's really all trial and error with babies and what works one day may not work the next!!!

Around 4 months is when Nicolas started teething. Is Loey drooling at all? Nicolas didn't cut a tooth until 6 months but you could tell he started getting antsy around 4. Also, as they get older, as I'm sure you know, they will sleep less and less and want to play more and more. He's just realizing his surroundings a lot more and probably not as interested in eating.

He could also have gas. It's so hard to tell. Did you eat anything different? Keep giving him the mylicon and see if it helps at all. It won't hurt him.

Just try different things and see what works.

As for schedules, the twins wake up at 7 - eat, play and sleep. Usually they sleep until 11 but sometimes they only sleep for 30 minutes. Then they have lunch around 12 and play until about 2 and then another nap until about 4. THey wake up and are up for the night. Even if they fight it, we try to keep them close to this schedule.

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Hugs and kisses for you first!!!!

Now It could be soo many things.. which is the hardest thing about being a mommy in my opinion. could be gas.. could be an ear infection? Doesn't sound like teething though.(unless he is pulling off b/c of pain) but the arching of the back isn't typical "teething" behavior.

Is he pooping regularly??? Have they changed consistency at all??

Regarding your schedule.. it's whatever works for Loey. That schedule works for you guys.. there is no wrong way!! They will change constantly but will usually get back on some type of schedule. eat sleep play..yeap sounds like what a baby does!! Y

You are doing great hayley!! This motherhood thing is NOT easy and I think we ALL second thrid and fourth guess ALL of our decisions!! in the end you MUST trust that you will do what's best for your baby..trush yoru instincts!!!

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

the back arching could be gas / reflux. DS used to do that while feeding..sometimes he would literally try to leap backwards off my lap while feeding. we had him on zantac for a little while and either it helped or DS grew out of that b/c he hasnt done it in a while.

however..the fussiness could totally be teething. they may not get teeth for a while, but can show signs. DS is 5 1/2 months and has been showing signs since 4 months off and on. last week was the worst..the drooling, hand chewing, fussiness/irritability, and he was running fevers for days.

it can be anything..it can be a growth spurt. we're all new to this..dont worry!

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

I don't have much advice to offer - just that I know how you feel . Yesterday DS was super fussy too and we couldn't figure it out - and it just breaks your heart. I do give DS Mylecon drops though before every feeding. It could be gas, a growth spurt, he could be constipated - maybe he is overtired and doesnt know how to get comfy to sleep?

I am the same way though with reading something and then changing, etc. - its all so hard. You're a great mom and doing whats best for Loey!

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Every time we get TJ on a schedule - he changes it - the books make it sound so easy!!! I've tried the eat/play/sleep but, soemtimes it works otu to eat/play/eat or eat/sleep...

He could be teething - TJ has been teething off an on for a few weeks now (very fussy, drooling and shoving his hands/bib/any toy in his mouth). Teething can start early on even though a tooth might not pop out for awhile.

The back arching though sounds like his tummy is bothering him - either gas or slight reflux. I'd see how he does today. It could be constipation. Every so often TJ does this - and usually it means he has to poop and can't (he takes mylicon before every bottle and his legs move when he's super-gassy).

Message edited 4/7/2010 12:42:06 PM.

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Few things come to mind..growth spurt, gas or teething. (I'm obviously no help!)

It really does sound like gas an you even heard it so that is what makes me think gas. Try gripe water, this helped me a lot with gas.

The reason I say it could be a growth spurt is bc of the frequent eating. If it is it will pass in a few days.

Now, teething is a mystery to me. I have been contributing things to teething for a long time but no teeth yet...but yes it is possible at 16 weeks. Do you see any other signs? If it is teething try putting cold washcloth on his gums for a little and see if it helps. This numbs the pain and helps Santino.

Good Luck:

PS...go with your mommy instinct for the most part..I read alot and it makes me crazy too

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

I read this post while I was getting pedi and had to remind myself to respond when I got back home

Tyler had his first tooth at 5 months. So did Jack. I have very early teethers so that could def. account for the crankiness.

As for the arching, I do believe that is stomach related. I know you put him on the breast to comfort him but he may have been too full at that point. I do this with Tyler all the time, give him a bottle to soothe and calm him down - which just ends up making him angrier because I assume it hurts his belly.

Lastly, none of us have any idea what we are doing when it comes to these little ones. Don't doubt yourself because you are doing a great job. What works one day will not work the next. It's constant trial and error and you will find out what works for you and Loey best. The only thing I know about these kids is that they love to keep us on our toes!

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Love, I think it is a growth spurt. This was Sienna to a T for the past two days. I was freaking out, hence my thread yesterday, and today, she is an angel, sleeping peacefully. I would give it a few days.

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

Thanks everyone

I'm going to share this thread with DH... very helpful!!

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

next time. hold him so that his tummy is pressed against your upper chest/shoulder area and apply a little pressure. if it's gas, this will help him. also try the gas leg exercises. It really does sound like hie was trying to release some gas.

did you eat anything new? I've found that Luce reacts the worst when I eat beans, soy sauce, peanut butter and dairy.

he could also be in pre teething. Luce cut his first tooth on his 5 month birthday.

Re: Many questions! gas, fussy baby, teething?, schedules, other random things & confused mommy...

I don't know about the arching of his back, not sure what could be making him do that..but like the other ladies have mentioned, gas could be bothering him. DS likes when he lays on his back, and I push his knees up to his belly...he toots!

Also, I had posted many q's on teething, and DS has a tooth showing on his lower jawline. He is only 3.5 months. Dr. said it was young, but possible. Before I actually saw the tooth, his cheeks were red, he had a few loose poops, but nothing crazy, and would just suck on the nipple of the bottle, to be soothed, but not to eat..so could be!

Either way..I am confused about this mommy thing a lot!!!! to you, and for being a great mommy!!!!!