What happened to my newborn angel?!

I thought I was so lucky. As soon as I brought my DS home, he was sleeping alot, only waking every 3-4 hours to feed. He BF really well...no problems. Everyone was talking about how I had the dream baby...I jinxed myself. He is now exactly 5 weeks and for the past three days/nights he has been a crazy man. He won't sleep at night, he won't sleep during the day unless he is being held. He wakes up every hour and screams. He has gas, but I don't know where from. i have had the same thing to eat since I came home from the hospital. I am thinking that I may just start formula feeding. My mom noticed it too that he is much more fussy. I know he is a newborn and that is what I should expect, but it is like night and day and I have not slept for three days! He is sleeping right now and he sleeps the best between 7 am and 12 p.m. Anyone go through this? Is this a growth spurt? Even after I feed him, he is still so fussy and won't calm down.

Also, how long do you have to BF for the baby to get the benefits?

Message edited 3/14/2008 9:49:48 AM.

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

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Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

First, I am sorry you are having such a hard time. It sounds as if your little one may have gas problems, possibly colic, though it's hard to say. Is DC the worst in the evening hours?

I would talk to your ped about the gas. You might be eating things that cause gas, and if you eliminate them from your diet, that may help. I don't BF, so I don't know a lot about this, but women who do have mentioned avoiding certain foods or coffee because it keeps their babies up. Gas can be bad with formula too, so I wouldn't give up BFing quickly if that is the only problem.

If you think it is colic, take a look at "The Happiest Baby on the Block." I don't agree with everything the doctor says, but some of the soothing tips help. They tend to outgrow colic by 3 or 4 months, so it won't last forever!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

I just started to keep a journal to determine whether I am eating something that is bothering him. The funny thing is that he took a 3 hour nap, fed for about 35 minutes and is in a deep sleep again. Maybe it is a phase. I don't blame him for sleeping right now because he is probably exhausted from these last couple of days.

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

That is exactly what happened with DS.
He was a complete angel & then he turned

DS has reflux, I doubt that your DS problem, maybe just a little gas.
Have you tried mylicon drops or gripe water?

I actually had to stop BF at 6weeks because The dr & I werent sure if it was something I was eating & it began to get way to difficult to take care of him & eat "the right way"
(I was pumping & giving to DS in a bottle, so it was very time consuming)

Good luck & hang in there!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

If it's only been the past few days- don't throw in the towel just yet. It's likely not the BFing that is the problem. ALL new babies have gas- I should have bought stock in Mylicon in the beginning.

My daughter would have a growth spurt every few weeks and would need to nurse/be fussy constantly for a few days. Then she'd settle back into her old "predictable"(I use the term loosely ).

My daughter also had a "witching hour". Every night, from 7 until usually 9 she was a BEAST. She grew out of that by 8 weeks old I think. A withching hour can be any time of the day.

I found the book "Happiest Baby on the Block" to be VERY helpful. And don't get the Parenting board started on the benefits of swaddling. If you haven't tried it yet, may I suggest you start? It really was a life saver for me in those first few months.

GL to you

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

first:

second: I wouldn't give up breastfeeding just yet. Many theories are out there that babies aren't colic - that the crying causes gas. Thus, he may not be crying from gas but may be crying a lot which causes gas. Especially if you are eating all the same thing.

I had the same issue, at about 5 weeks she screamed through feedings and acted as though its gas. I cut ALL food that could cause gas: broccoli, coffee, chocolate,milk... and it seemed to subsied. BUT - I later started to drink coffee again and noticed she was fine. I think it just passes. After 5th week of fussiness, 6 weeks she went through a growing phase where she drank every hour (be aware of that and it is normal) Than all passes. By about 2 1/2 months she is completely fine regardless what I eat.

Your DS may be just growing through a phase - in the begining babies are tired and their true self doesn't really come out Stick it out, and after the 6th growing week - things will really get much easier!

Good luck!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Thanks for all the replies. It feels good to know I am not completely alone. After DS eats, if he stays awake he can only handle 20-30 miinutes and then he seems to get fussy and crying. I tend then to try and get him to sleep and then it seems like he is sleeping too much! As I am writing this, I am beginnign to think I am crazy! How much should a 5 week old be sleeping? Should he be able to stay up for longer periods of time and be content? I am sorry if I sound nuts, but he literally was not crying for 5 weeks and now it seems like he is alot more fussy. I have been using the Mylicon drops, but should use them during each feeding. Just got the book Happies BAby on the Block and just started reading it. I have a Halo swaddler and was using it, but he semmed to hate having his arms swaddled, but i just forced him to tuck his arms in. I felt so bad!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Posted by Porrruss

If it's only been the past few days- don't throw in the towel just yet. It's likely not the BFing that is the problem. ALL new babies have gas- I should have bought stock in Mylicon in the beginning.

My daughter would have a growth spurt every few weeks and would need to nurse/be fussy constantly for a few days. Then she'd settle back into her old "predictable"(I use the term loosely ).

My daughter also had a "witching hour". Every night, from 7 until usually 9 she was a BEAST. She grew out of that by 8 weeks old I think. A withching hour can be any time of the day.

I found the book "Happiest Baby on the Block" to be VERY helpful. And don't get the Parenting board started on the benefits of swaddling. If you haven't tried it yet, may I suggest you start? It really was a life saver for me in those first few months.

GL to you

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Keep swaddling! I started swaddling DD at about 4-5 weeks and even though it seemed like she hated it, by the time she was 6 weeks old, she would actually SMILE in contentment when I'd "strap" her arms down

Some babies are just fussier at times. I know it SEEMS like it could go on forever- but I PROMISE you it DOES get better.

We are all here to help you get through this overwhelming time! Also, their are a BUNCH of us who are BFing and can give you advice/support whenever you need it.

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

I also don't think the BFing is the problem. Any amount of time has benefits, but last a year is ideal.

5 weeks is a perfect age to introduce a pumped bottle of milk. You can go to sleep at 9, and leave baby with someone for four hours and get a good block of sleep -- that helped my sanity so much!!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Ohhhh yes - so funny that you post this - I tell everyone it was exactly at the 5 week mark where DS got the most difficult he ever was - and it lasted for a good month It gets better, but I swear there is something about that 5 week mark that kills you!!!!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

they all start out like angels and then they turn on you

It gets better, use mylicon and the day/night confusion will end soon...
Maybe give him a bottle at night to help him sleep a little longer?
I EBF but the first few weeks I would give 2-3 oz of formula in the evening when she was fussy and wanted to nurse constantly...

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Ohhhh yes - so funny that you post this - I tell everyone it was exactly at the 5 week mark where DS got the most difficult he ever was - and it lasted for a good month It gets better, but I swear there is something about that 5 week mark that kills you!!!!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

IMO the "dream baby" is a myth. Yea sure you have a easy child but in a month or so that "dream" is usually shattered for many reasons. Not sleeping, sick, growth spurt etc etc...

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Posted by mrsej

Posted by jules

IMO the "dream baby" is a myth. Yea sure you have a easy child but in a month or so that "dream" is usually shattered for many reasons. Not sleeping, sick, growth spurt etc etc...

I know, but then I hear these stories of my cousins' kids and everyone is sleeping throught the night at 3 weeks, they don't make a peep during the day. I am beginning to think my kid has problems.

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

Could the gas be from the formula? We had to switch because of it.

It also could definitely be a growth spurts. Again just like with everything else, some kids sleep more, others are up and maniacs

Do you swaddle?

Re: What happened to my newborn angel?!

I BF so I am not sure if he is getting gas from what I eat. I can feel/hear is stomach rumbling and bubbles. I feel so bad.

I am going to start swaddling tonight. I just swaddled him and he is out like a light. It took about 1/2 hour to get him to calm down, but he is down for the count right now!