From Bad To Worse

[Casey_03]

i feel like I'm on the verge of a complete breakdown. Just when I thought I was getting used to the routine with my baby and getting used to very little sleep, things have gotten worse. He now screams and cries literally every hour. I feed him and it doesn't help. Try to comfort him and it doesn't help. He's miserable and I can't do anything about it. I've not slept at all in the past two days and he won't stop crying. I feel incredibly ill and my whole body hurts. I barely have the strength to even pick him up. I don't know what to do. There is no one to help and I don't know who to turn to but I am desperate and am getting more and more frustrated and angry with every passing minute.

 

[sun seeker]

(((Casey))) I would guess that he has colic. Try gently massaging his belly in circles. Then hold his legs at the ankle, bent at the knee, and move them as if he were riding a bicycle. This should help get the gas moving and calm him down. If it doesn't, hold him and rock (or pace) while rubbing his back in slow circles.

If none of that helps, there may be something else wrong and he'll need a doctor. But with an inconsolable baby as young as that, colic is a good first bet.

 

[Casey_03]

I've tried all that (((( No luck

 

[mary1979]

As much as I love my kids, I do not miss these stages.

But I miss their sweet smell.
Watching them sleep.
The excited feeling at every single milestone (who ever thought before they had kids that one day you'd be standing around a pot with poo in it, cheering?)
Those lazy mornings in bed filling hours with doing stupid things to make them laugh just so you can see their smile.

Its all over too soon.
Everything passes, so will the tears.
Cherish it all

 

[Casey_03]

I'm honestly afraid i'm going to pass out or collapse when he needs me

 

[Lotis]

Please contact your pediatrician and explain what is going on. I remember calling my pediatrician all of the time - no concern or question is ever stupid when it comes to your newborn baby. Please take care of yourself. Remember that this too shall pass.
L

 

[mary1979]

Lie down with him then.
Put him on your chest so he can feel your warmth and heartbeat.

Is he fed? Dry?
Let him cry a little while, breathe deeply and focus on bringing your own heart rate down.
This used to work with my youngest who had a sensitive stomach.

Which reminds me to mention, you have him on formula now did I read? Or still breast?
After the drama with your kidneys, I wonder is their not enough nutritional value in your milk?
This happened with me :(
All my kids ended up on formula after 2 weeks because of it, and switching was like a miracle. We went from 2 hourly feeds to 4-6 hourly.
Such a relief.

Or if you are on formula, try a different one.
Speak to the pharmasist at your local chemist about ones designed for colicy babies. Theres a great range for all considerations.
Other things like teet slit sizes, and even bottles designed to reduce wind, and gripe water can be considered too.
All trial and error.

You'll be ok mum, you're doing great :)

 

[Casey_03]

The thing is, he will cry for up to five hours straight -- and not just cry, scream as if he is being tortured. I told the doctor and she insists it's just gas, but none of the tricks for dealing with gas work. No medications, no tummy rubs, nothing. I have tried both breast milk and formula (now two different kinds) and he has the same reaction regardless. Even when he is well fed, being held and caressed -- he's screaming bloody murder. He doesn't have a temperature and there are no signs of anything being terribly wrong, but he is clearly in agony and I don't know how to stop it.

 

[Lotis]

I had to try 3 different formula types until my little one was able to handle it... if he is still in agony call the pdoc again.

 

[ladee]

Then bundle him up, and while he is screaming, take him to the Dr. Something is wrong for a child to scream like that... and you are not crazy or a bad mom !!! Take him in, and let them hear him scream and let them try all the things that aren't working...He is so tiny, such a precious little man... but you are at the end of coping... this is how babies get hurt and when mom can't even guarantee she will be conscious to take care of him... then something is wrong and needs attention ASAP !!!! Just take him in... they can not make you go back home with him...
Or take him to the ER... there has to be someone with some damned compassion who will try to help you and him.... !!!

 

[Casey_03]

@ladee I did take him to the doc, and they saw him screaming and said it's just intestinal gas. It is clearly something with his stomach and yes, he does get better after he farts, but it doesn't seem normal to me that it can take him hours to let out some gas. I had gotten him some special medications (herbal) and they did work at first, but now it seems like he's grown immune to them and they have no effect ... I have another doctor coming tomorrow, hopefully she will have more to offer than just "intestinal gas." I'm so scared there might be something seriously wrong with his digestive system. It kills me to see him in such agony. So far I am just glad he doesn't have a fever or anything, because then I'd really be freaking the hell out. Maybe he has some sort of stomach infection?

 

[Casey_03]

I am sort of trying to think of all this as a military endurance test. Is it the Navy Seals that put people through severe sleep deprivation to test their endurance? Marines? Can't remember. But that is how I am trying to view this, because it's the only thing that helps me stay sane.