Baby Crying

The book Happiest Baby on the Block changed my life. I buy it for all of my friends and family when they are expecting. If you are consistant it works wonders. With my first it worked miracles, and now with #2 (2 wks) I began the method immediately to avoid colic just in case.

First, we all have been there!! HE may be colicy, or gassy. He is only 6 weeks, no need not to hold him. The best studies say you cannot spoil a child that little. So hold him. It you need to get things done, get one of those slings and carry him in that. My little one use to have a fussy time. from about 3pm-7pm all she did was cry. Nothing made her feel okay. SHe eventually grew out of that, and now only really cries when she doesn't want to go to sleep. It is okay to cuddle him with all the love you have, don't let others tell you different. He will learn how to soothe himslef, but it is not time for that yet. just hold him tight to you!!!!!

Have you tried to change his formula? Sounds just like my son he would cry 24/7 untill we discovered he had food allergies and it took us a long time to find a formula he can tolorate.

M.
www.143kids.com

Our first son was EXACTLY like MR described. I cried so much during that time myself as I thought I was doing everything wrong. That wasn't the case at all. At 12 weeks I finally got to "meet" my son and see him as the adorable little guy he still is. Although I was lucky to feel an instant bond with Jacob, I've said that I didn't start to really enjoy being a Mom until he turned 12 weeks.

That being said, there are many things you can try.

Take him to the doctor JUST to check everything out and make sure he's okay. If he's spitting up a lot, he could have an issue with his eating that makes his tummy uncomfortable.

If you are breastfeeding, check out kellymom.com and get some ideas as to what to avoid while you are BFing.

If you are using forumula, think about changing the brand.

We SWORE by Mylicon Gas drops or Gripe Water. I don't know if they really worked or if it was coincidence.

Swaddling tightly worked well for Jacob and so did the swing.

Consider investing in the book/DVD or taking the class "Happiest Baby on the Block". I took it with my second son but thankfully didn't need it (he was an angel baby!). But I WISH I would have had it for my first son.

By all means, sleep when the baby does sleep. You need it.

ASK FOR HELP...call your Mom, tell your husband, get your sister or a friend and TAKE A BREAK. Get to the store, get your hair done, a pedicure - whatever you need. But, you need to take care of you, too.

It's so hard when they cry like that. I've been there and I KNOW. But assuming it is colic and everything else is ok - it DOES pass. And, the joys of your son will start to outweigh the crying. Hey, I had a second one!

Good luck and feel free to vent here or ask any other questions.

Hang in there...T.

Try swaddling him and turning on a noise machine (just white noise). The swaddling makes him feel secure (like in the womb) and the constant noise helps sooth them too. I have also heard that if the mom sleeps with the blanket you will swaddle him with can help because it will have your smell and that will soothe him too, thinking mommy is with him. Hope it helps :) I personally just held my babies as much as I could because the grow up so fast and it is such a special time with them that you can never get back. But you do have to have some down time for sure or you will never get anything done, like shower for instance :) I am sure you are a wonderful mom don't listen to anything else! God bless you as you enter this great adventure of motherhood, it is the best thing in the world.
Blessings on your family.

AT 6 weeks, I don't think letting him cry is going to work. Do you have a sling or a carrier? That way you can have your hands free but still comfort him.

Are you breastfeeding? I had problems with my daughter having really bad tummy aches if I ate a lot of tomatoes (like spaghetti sauce) when I was breastfeeding. She is 19 months old now and still won't eat tomatoes. If you are breastfeeding you may want to go to a really bland dieat (also cut out milk for a while) and see if that helps. Then slowly start adding foods back until you find the culprit.

Also, you may want to try swaddling if you haven't yet.

Good Luck, you will get through this!

D.

Do a google search on Dr. Harvey Karp and Happiest Baby on the Block. Or, you could go buy the paperback version of the book for $7.

It sounds like your baby is colicky. People will tell you it is gas, it is his stomach, it is pain, it is whatever. See if you can perhaps pinpoint the reason for his incessant screaming

Unfortunately, our baby was colicky for 12 weeks and it didn't matter how I changed my diet, we had him checked out by our pediatrician, etc. He was eating well, sleeping fairly well, gaining weight, developing normally, had no other issues, yet he screamed for 12 weeks almost nonstop. One day like a light switch (and without any change from us) it stopped.

At 6 weeks, the swing or the vibrating bouncy seat might be your best friend. We had both, and the swing actually had a 'white noise' setting. Those were two sure-fire ways to bring him some comfort. For the first 8 weeks, he slept in his room at night in his vibrating bouncy chair. When things really got bad, I loaded him up in the car and went for a drive.

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. It was excruciating for me.

I didn't read the other posts but here's my 2 cents:
This is a typical low point for newborns - you're not alone. It should get better soon. As far as "changing the habit" of carrying him, babies really need to be held. We are one of the only countries (developed ones - I'm not talkin' 3rd world or anything) that think babies are supposed to learn to be independent. The power of touch is very healing, something you shouldn't deprive your child of. If you think about all the time babies spend in carseats, strollers, swings, bouncy chairs, pack n plays, cribs, etc. you'll realize that most babies don't get enough time being held. You won't spoil your baby by holding him. Basically the first year is one where your baby will need you the most. Once they start walking they won't want you to hold them much at all - you'll miss the times he cried for your arms!
I know it seems impossible to handle and that the time is moving slower than ever, but once you're out of the 1st 3 months, things will fly by at rocket speed. Try to cherish this time with your baby. If holding him calms him down, do it; if he wants to nurse and it's not "time" yet, nurse him. Some doctors call the first 3 months the "4th trimester" because human infants are not yet ready to face the world like every other animal on the planet. If you surrender yourself to dedicating your waking (and non-waking) moments to your baby these next couple of months, it might make things easier. Go with your gut, try not to compare yourself to what babies "should" be doing or what you're "supposed" to do. Only you know what feels right for your situation!
:)
K.

Hi there,
It, unfortunately, sounds like my baby, who had colic. Crying, crying, crying. We tried the 'burp' drops because he had so much gas that his tummy was always hurting. Does your baby have gas? Check how tight his stomach is. You may want to try having him adjusted by a chiropractor who takes care of babies. That may help a lot. His tummy may just plain hurt and he's so little that he can't tell you anything but cry. You may want to try cutting out dairy products from your diet if you are breastfeeding or switch to non dairy formula(soy may bother him too). I know we had to go thru all that and eventually changed all our diets for the better!
Bless you! I know it is hard to hear your baby cry. It also helped to carry my babies in a babycarry scarf. That way he will feel safe and secure next to you. Don't worry about holding him too much - he needs it! I carried my daughter for the first 5-6 months and she is the most independent thing you will ever see. So, don't listen to those naysayers - do what your baby needs.
C.

I too had a similar experience with my first child. At 4 weeks he would cry non stop and so I finally took him to his pediatrician and he said that my son had developed colic. I was 26 at the time and it was the middle of winter and my son cried from about 3:15pm to 11:30pm everyday for 4 weeks. I am not trying to scare you but maybe talk to your babies doctor about this and see if that is the problem.

hi E.,
i remember when my son was 6 weeks old, he's now almost 6 months! your baby could have Colic...which is when he cries non stop and will only stop if he's carried. Colic is when the baby has a lot of gas in his stomach and it becomes painful. try Little Tummies on him. you can get it from babies r us and see what happens. god bless.

I'm sorry that I do not have time to read all of the other posts, but I wanted to let you know that my daughter, right at around 6 months, also started crying - screaming, during and right after nursing. It turned out that the poor thing had acid reflux that was causing her pain. The good thing is that it was easily treated with prescribed medication that worked and then she outgrew it.

Good luck to you. I know it must be very stressful to hear him crying so much, but at this young age, try to comfort your little guy as much as possible.

are you breastfeeding?? if so take out milk and wheat and soy and eggs from your diet. only eat chicken and veggies except the gassie one and fruits you could try beef if you want. if you are on formula get her on aliementum or nutramagin and tell the dr you are doing this and what is happening to her. did you make sure tehre is no ear infection or something simple? if not and she checked out ok is there reflux? reflux burns so bad you cannot lie down. also when you go to the pedatrician check her bottom for blood, they do a quick and painless finger swab wipe it on a card and if it turns a color there is positive forblood, if it is positive then you and the dr will recommend a hypoallergence formul like aliementum and nutramagin if you do not notice a chenge with in 14 days then take her back and get her on neocate infant formul and if he will not prescibe it go to a GI dr.
good luck you are fine she is just intolerate to foods.
J.

Have you talked to your baby's pediatrician? I know my daughter has food allergies and had some severe reactions to milk based formula as well as when I was nursing she would be colicky if I had dairy in my diet. We didn't know at first that her fussy days were due to her milk allergy. If your son is gassy, try bicycling his legs. Swaddling will help him feel warm and safe when you can't hold him. At about this age, we got a baby swing for my daughter and laid her in it while she was swaddled. The motion and tight swaddling helped so much to soothe her! We found the book "The Happiest Baby on the Block" very helpful. The tips in there really helped us for this stage. A baby sling may help for the times he just needs to be near you. Good luck!

It is so hard to hear your baby cry but it is the only form of communication. Talk to your doctor. It may be colic. Both my kids had colic. My first was the worst and cried for 4.5 months. My second loved to be held and I slept with him on my chest for about 2 months. THe crying will pass and life will get easier but have babysitters relieve you in the meantime and talk to your pediatrician to double check everything is okay.

Hi. I see there are a lot of responses, I haven't read any, but thought that I'd say to try and wear your baby in a sling/carrier a lot. It sounds like he likes to be carried around and that might help him feel comfort like he's always snuggled up. Also some babies love those blankets that snuggle them up when they sleep-the name I can't think of right now. I hope that things get easier and I know they will...it's an adjustment to life for mom and baby!

E.:

he is crying for a reason... the tough part is sorting out why...

call a lactation consultant/ your pediatrician...

P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
www.breastfeedingandparentingsolutions.com

crying babes can be so stressful but if it's been going on a few days he's obviously needing the attention. you could try doing the colic hold (tummy down on your forearm) or placing him over your legs on his tummy, which might help if he has gassy issues as young babes often do. don't forget to support his head if it's still wobbly, though.

wanting to be held is natural and you might want to look into getting a wrap-style or pouch baby carrier like the moby wrap or new native carrier (there are tons of others) so you can wear him up close to you and he'll feel comforted by the warmth of your body and sound of your heart and you'll free up your hands for awhile. some babies need more carrying, some less -- just depends on personality. it's not a habit, good bad or otherwise but a need in babies to be held and touched, so please don't see it as something that you need to break him of. when you need a moment to go to the bathroom and shower or things like that, you might try a swing or vibrating bouncy seat -- sometimes the motion or vibration soothes babies.

swaddling might also help him feel more secure and buy you a little hands-free time, though it mostly made my kids mad to have their arms constricted!

Maybe you need to re-check what he is eating. Also - my sister used a gliding chair until about 3 months old - and her son seemed to be able to sleep nicely in it. I assume he has a pacifier - but my sister's doctor didn't suggest a pacifier for the first couple of weeks - even though I think babies need them. After holding your baby and he falls asleep - then I would put him down in a crib. It does get better - try to be confident and soothing - babies can sence if you are tense or nervous and they pick up on it...

In my experience, around 6 weeks, they go through a big growth spurt. So,he may be growing!! OR, he could have gas, OR possibly not getting enough sleep. The sleep thing is probably related to both gas and growing. Have you tried gas drops? I think they work although most docs will disagree. You can get them over-the-counter. Try them!! Also, try rubbing his belly counterclockwise and then pulling his knees up near his ears. That should make his pass gas. You can also lay him on his belly over your leg so that you are putting some pressure on his belly and rub his back. Before 6 weeks, babies sleep a lot and then they WAKE UP and whoa, it is like "who is this baby?". I think your son is totally normal!! Some babies are fussier than others ...but remember, everything is a phase. At some point, no matter what you do, he will grow out of it and move on. I have found this to be true at least! I have 3 babies!! :) Best of luck to you.

After making sure there is really nothing medically wrong, and I'm sure there's not, here's some of the things I used to do (and oh you never forget even though my children are seventeen and 23). If you have a car, and unfortunately doesn't matter what time it is, a car ride for a few minutes would put them to sleep. If you don't have that and it's daytime, the old buggy walk helped, if it's night of course you don't want to walk too far so don't forget a couple of miles around the apartment or house is good for you, too. And of course there are pacifiers. Just went to the dentist yesterday with my son who is seventeen and other than a few wisdom teeth coming in he didn't need braces or anything and I definitely relied on that in those desperate moments. I am not going to tell you to leave him while he's crying (my sister advised me to do that once and I later discovered the baby had wet all over himself-ugh!) but I suppose you could try. Finally, here's another one. Perhaps he's still hungry. If you are nursing they are hungry or need the closeness Good luck. You are so lucky! This hard part will pass and then one day he'll be driving! I AM GOING TO ADD ONE MORE THING. HOLD ONTO THAT BABY ALL YOU CAN BECAUSE ONE OF MY SONS IS IN THE SERVICE AND EVERY DAY I REMINDED OVER AND OVER HOW YOU WILL NEVER GET THIS TIME BACK

I had the same problem with my son when he was that age. I was never quite sure if it was colic, but am guessing that a sling will stop the crying. Hotslings and Moby slings are both good brands; you will be able to carry him around with you and still get things done around the house, which is nice. If you are the type of person who likes to research these things, I would Google "baby sling reviews" to see what other mothers say about the sling(s) you may be interested in. A swing or bouncy chair may help, too.
Congratulations on your little one, and good luck!

You'll know if it's colic or gassiness with how he responds when you pick him up. If he stops, he just wants to be comforted so go ahead and comfort him--try a sling/carrier. If he doesn't respond and continues to cry know matter what you do then it is probably colic or gas. Then you should see a doctor. They have medicine for colic now that works wonders.

have you talked to your pediatricians office??? I would start there- bring him in today.

I woudl carry him. At 6 weeks we jsut are trying to figure out what they need/want. It may be gas if he is calmed by being carried. I know my kids would want to be high on my shoulder and I finally figured out it was gas. Does rocking help? Do you nurse? He may be hungry. When I nursed it seemed like all they want to do was eat... continuously! I did end up supplemeneting just to give ME a break. Hope those options work for you. Congratulations on a healthy baby you are doign a great job... try not to stress...

Another tip... sometimes car rides and stroller walking relaly will calm them too... or if you have a sling go for a walk in the sling. He is so young still I am sure he jsut wants to be near Mom!! :)

Hi!

Are you nursing or feeding formula? My first daughter, who's 6 now, was nursed for a month and then went to formula. I found that the formula I was using was making her gassy and she cried a lot! I changed the formula to one that has less iron. Then, she really was a different baby. Maybe this would help.

I don't believe that you can start a "bad habit" of carrying him around at such a young age. Babies need to be held and know that someone is there they can trust. I carried my babies while they were little a lot, and then they just naturally wanted to be on their own at a certain age when they begin to want to explore.

Hope this helps!

Hi, E.--I hope this is not it, but just in case...do you notice when he is crying? My little boy (now 7 years old) had colic when he was a baby, which means he cried like clockwork from about 8 pm to 11 pm EVERY DAY until he was three months old. That is the typical pattern, and while in the olden days people thought colic was gas or stomach upset, my understanding when I was in the midst of it is just that some babies are more sensitive to processing the world around them, and so they cry at night just to get it out of their system. I would do the checklist first, which you probably know...feed? diaper? hot or cold? little hair wrapped around toe? do they want to be swaddled? check inside the mouth for white thrush (call doctor if they have it)--if they are not in any physical discomfort or danger, he may just want to be held--and I believe most pediatrician's will agree you can't spoil a baby at 6 weeks, and with colic, if that's it, sometimes holding is the only thing you can do. White noise helps as well--babies find it soothing--like a fan or the washer or dryer or you can even buy cd's of ocean sounds or white noise sounds. You may be trying to avoid a pacifier, but if the crying is incessant, you may want to go with a pacifier now and ween him later. Hope this helps. If you notice a colic pattern (2-3 hours every night) please feel free to stay in touch, ____@____.com survived it, but it was hard.

Don't change the habit of wanting to be carried! He needs you! After trying that long to have a baby, here he is, and he will only be a baby for a short time. Babies need to be close to their mothers. I suggest purchasing a baby sling and wearing him close to you for as long as he needs it. Do you breastfeed?

Often, with both of my kids, all they wanted was to nurse. When nothing else seemed to solve the problem, nursing did it.

Aside from that, perhaps he is colicky. If he is formula-fed, it may be a reaction to the formula you are using. Always start with what's going into the body before giving in to medication. He may be constipated from the formula.

If you are nursing and also supplementing with formula, I suggest quitting the formula and just strictly breastfeed.

Oh new mama this is so common, so don't feel badly. Both our babies cried at the age you said, with our second one shrieking for about three months. It could be many things that is making the wee one cry. Once you have tried all the common "baby complaints", ie: I'm wet, I'm hungry, I'm tired, I need to burp, I need a snuggle" and baby doesn't stop the wailing, it could be something like colic or gassiness. Are you breastfeeding or formula feeding? Both have different ways of causing excessive gassiness. With our youngest, it was my mother's milk that caused her gassiness (too much foremilk=too much sugar=painfully gassy bambina) so after trying everything to keep her on mother's milk and with the guidance of our pediatrician, we switched her over to a lactose free formula. Gassiness gone, screaming fits reduced significantly.

Other times baby is just fussy during this time in development and there isn't a darn thing anyone can do about it. The one thing that worked for us to get some peace and quiet was to have our youngest in a Fisher Price papasan swing. The motion would soothe her, we could rest our arms, legs and minds for a little and at night it was the only way we could get her to sleep.

Another thing to think about it is the amount of exposure our little ones get constantly from the world around them. Both our babies would have melt downs, especially toward the end of the night. We would do everything and the crying wouldn't stop. Finally we had to come to the realiztion that they spent an entire day being exposed to so much stiumlus, their minds went "on overload" and they just needed a good screaming/crying fit to process it all out.

Don't worry about "breaking the habit" when it comes to your wee one wanting to be held so much. I felt that way too, but then I came to realize that both my babies needed the holding, but I still had to take care of myself at the same time. Hell of a tricky balance isn't it? At six weeks, they don't even know what a habit is. They also aren't grasping the idea that they can self soothe. That's why they demand so much from us at this age through about three( sometimes longer) months. So when you or daddy need a break, take it. Baby is not going to fall apart or suffer any future consequences if allowed to cry alone for a few minutes while you or both of you take a breather. Hope this helps and best of luck to the three of you :)

He sounds colicky. My son cried every evening for a few hours from 6-12 weeks. After you rule out any health issues I would just assume it is colic or colic tendencies. Some suggestions would be:

Go for a car ride
Go for a stroller ride
Use a white noise machine
Use running water
Sling your baby!!! (bjorn or other type)
Pacifier
Walking around the house (no fun I know)
Seek help during those hard times of the day
If you get stressed out leave the baby in its room for a bit so you can calm yourself
Know that it will go away

Good luck and I know it is tough but soon it will be distant memory!!

Have you read The Happiest Baby on the Block (or watched the video?) This book worked wonders with my son, who is now 5 months.

Good luck!

H.

I agree with the other moms who suggest a sling. Babies need to be held and actually cry less the more you hold them. They thrive on your touch. I know how you feel about the crying, though. My second child cried and cried for months. We would hold him, rock him, bounce him, carry him in a sling and we used a swing for sleeping. If you are breastfeeding, you may want to try cutting out certain foods from your diet like dairy (my son ended up having a dairy and peanut allergy). If you are using formula you may want to experiment with soy or non dairy/non soy formulas. Also keep in mind that this will take at least 4 to 6 weeks to get out of your systems. So be patient if you try this. This is the age when crying is usually at its peak, but it is also the time when things have had enough time to build up in his system to bother him. Also, follow your gut. If you think there is a medical problem, see your doctor. But the reality is that babies cry and they will cry even after all their needs are met.

Lastly, remember that this too shall pass. Each stage in your baby's life, while some may feel very long to you, will pass quickly. So enjoy every moment. Hold him, sing to him, talk to him, tell him your dreams for your family, and tell him stories even if he cries the whole time. Good luck!

I'd call your pediatrician. Not that I think anything is wrong, mind you. I think that it could be colic or gas and he/she might have some suggestions or just help rule out other causes. Good luck to you!

Sounds like colic to me. You need to get these 2 books: Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child and The Happiest Baby on the Block :)

Other things to look into: possible acid reflux or ear infection

If your bottle feeding I highly recommend Born Free bottles, they are great for babies with colic. Also, you might need to change the baby's formula.

its probably colic, the new yorker and babble.com both had good articles about this recently, so you can read them and feel better -- having lived through it, there is nothing you can do but hold the baby and listen to him scream, even when he is not screaming you still hear screaming, it is awful, but it does not last forever...good luck

I teach Infant massage for colic and many ohter things if your interested let me know.

I say carry him. Get a sling or other carry thing and love him to death. You waited 2 yrs for this little guy. Spoil him rotten!

I would invest in a sling or a wrap and just wear him. He must need the closeness right now. He will grow out of it eventually and be able to be in the swing for a while or play on a playmat. Newborn babies just need a lot of human touch. I would def. just wear him and you and he will be much happier!!

my son was like this and it was gas from food allergy (but was also spitting up etc). I would put in ear plugs and rock him for 4 hrs at a time before we figured this out (he got it through my breast milk)

You poor thing! It's miserable for everyone.
I've read the responses so far, and they're fabulous. Do check in with the doc, then try these suggestions that the other gals gave. My first was colicky, what worked best for her was a baby sling. I just "wore" her for a few weeks! Get some help, take a break, and remember, this, too, shall pass.
K.

Take your baby to the doctor. Get an accurate weight to determine if baby is eating enough/gaining appropriate weight. If you're breastfeeding, it may be as simple as supplementing breast milk with formula.

At this age and for a lot longer, when your baby cries he needs you. Letting him cry at this age especially will hurt him in many ways. Remember you were carrying him inside of you always and now he still needs that. Yes, a carrier would be great for you. It is worth every penny. My youngest of four is 14 months old, and I still put her in the carrier sometimes so I can get things done!

When our daughter was about 5 months old she started crying every night from around 5p.m. until 10:00. We were told she had Colic. The only thing that calmed her was the sound of the vaccum. We had to make a recording of the vaccum, so we didn't have to run the vaccum evey night. Just a thought.

I don't know if you have any other problems, but my daughter had acid reflux and holding her was the only answer. Is your son spitting up a lot? Does he sleep in short spurts? Does he not like his crib/bed? Does he burp a lot? Is he crying later in the day after meals? Is he worse when he has been in a stressful situation? Look up some of the symptoms and check in to reflux as a possibility. Crying is the worst thing for a reflux baby, so rule that out before trying the "cry it out" method. Dr. Sears has a "fussy baby book" that is wonderful. Anyway babies grow so fast, do your best to hold him and keep him happy - your house and chores will be there when he is older and doesn't want mommy to hold him anymore - I am learning that from experience!!

Hi E.,

From what I've heard and experienced this is pretty common at this age. It's most likely just a stage and usually lasts about two weeks or so. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to comfort him. Hang in there it will pass. If by any chance it doesn't I would call your pediatrician to make sure he doesn't have acid reflux or anything like that.

Some babies just cry or have colic. My best advice is just to love the time you have with them while they are so tiny and helpless. They grow up so fast. My third is 4 1/2 month and I think he's grown up way too fast already. Enjoy them while they are this small. I know it's frustrating that you can't even put the baby down to go to the bathroom without him screaming, but hold him as much as you can.
Another thing that may help is carrying him in a sling, which keeps him close to you in a cradle-like hold, but also frees up your hands a little.
If you have any friends or family around, don't be shy about asking them to come and hold the baby so you can do simple things like take a shower.

If you're breastfeeding, make sure you're avoiding things like broccoli, garlic, etc. Some babies have reactions to dairy or nuts, so try cutting those out to root out the problem.

Hope that helps and good luck!
Just remember he'll probably outgrow the crying sooner or later, so just keep him in your arms in the meantime!
(Easier said than done, but it'll be okay!)

I am so sorry to hear this. I know I felt very helpless when my son was crying. First of all, talk to the pediatrician about signs/symptoms of reflux. I was convinced that my son had reflux because he would wiggle and scream in pain after he ate. As it turns out, he was the baby who need to burp two to three times to get all that air out. Reflux though can be really painful so make sure that that is not the case. Second, read the book The Happiest Baby on the Block. It was recommended to me and I tell all of my friends who are having babies to read it. It really works. And finally, the best gift that I received for the baby was the Nature's Best Cradle Swing. My son LOVES it and still at 8 months when he just needs some downtime, I put him in it. I don't know what I will do when he's too big to strap in. Good luck and please know that I found the first three months to be the most difficult time.

I cannot recommend Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp enough! It is a must have for the three months. He has a 30 minute DVD that is worth every penny. Don't bother with the book...who has the time to read when you can watch a DVD for 30 min.

The basic 5 SSSSS
Swaddle
Shhhhh
Suck
Side
Swing

Again, the DVD is worth every penny at this age and really helped us keep our sanity.

Does he have an earache? Take him to his pediatrician and address the physical issues which make a baby cry so much. At 6 weeks he could very well have colic, which some doctors pooh pooh, but it is real and giving the infant drops for gas helps a lot of them to feel some relief. Have you ever had gas caught in your upper intestine? that is what I imagine the infant is experiencing. They will pull up their legs and get stiff suddenly and then wail. They are in pain I know that pain relievers are currently frowned upon for such young ones. Rubbing their tummy and just warming it with your hand on their bare skin is also soothing. My oldest daughter had colic and she preferred to be carried around face out so that looking at her environment distracted her from the pain (she is now an artist). My son with colic benefited from my holding him firmly, and that is when the old custom of swaddling began to make sense to me. I cared for an infant who cried and he made jerking movements with his arms and legs, he was ultimately diagnosed with a condition (I don't know its proper name, but it is sometimes referred to as rag doll) where the connections to his legs nerves weren't developed as they should be. He was a very late walker and did not stand up with stiff little legs as infants are supposed to do. So I did swaddle him and he was able to nap and didn't cry for the first time on his first day at my day care. Sometimes with colic parents need to try out several different formulas, or if you are nursing, you have to be very careful about what you eat, usually the pediatrician advises on this. But my seasoned advice on this is to slow down, don't concern yourself with other duties, and certainly don't get involved in time consuming projects, resign yourself to carrying him a lot of the time. Since he is your only child, you have the luxury of focusing on only him during this time. Make the best of it, because colic ends. The later it starts, the sooner it ends and 6 weeks is late, (3 weeks is normal). Find things to do while you rock him or walk him, watch TV, read magazines, read to him, dance with him to music you love, sing to him, think of this as a blessed time for the two of you and know that you will get through it, and it is not his personality but his immature intestines.

Proven technique to stop fussiness! I have a 6 week old son also who is doing the same. I went through this with my daughter, who is now 21 months. I learned a technique from Gymboree Play from their Happiest Baby on the Block class. Take the baby and face him outward so that his back is against your stomach. Hold him with one arm across his chest and the other should cradle him between his legs. Then stand with your legs shoulder with apart and bend with your knees up and down as if you are doing squats. You also say "Whoosh" "Whoosh" as you are moving up and down. Sounds crazy, but it works with every baby. You will get a great butt out of it too.

Baby magic tea was the only remedy that soothed my always crying baby.

Here's a guess - acid reflux. It's very common in newborns. See if he's more fussy after eating. Check it out at your next drs appt.

Try using a sling or carrier to free up your arms. Also you can prop him up in a swing (keep the swing setting very low since he can't control his head or body yet). Also, see if he's better SLEEPING/NAPPING in his car seat or bouncy chair.

ANYTHING but laying him flat, esp after eating.

One of my children had this until she was 5 mos old. We had her on medicines and had her crib mattress propped up with blankets underneath so she could sleep in an upright position.

Beware of carrying him around too much or else he'll get used to all that constant attention and you may have problems later getting him to sleep without being held or rocked by you.

Also, try playing music for him when you're putting him down...maybe rock him for a minute or so before saying "nite nite" for a nap or the evening sleep so he gets used to this routine.

The biggest thing is to take care of yourself! If you're run down or really irritated you can't take care of him. Make sure your husband takes turns caring for your son...maybe bathtime can be HIS time. This gives you a much needed break. Finally, since all this fussing and holding can quickly become overwhelming, make sure you take a break if you're frustrated. My pediatrician told me no child has ever died from fussing - just put him in his crib and walk away for a few minutes. Make yourself some tea or take a quick shower. As long as he's in a safe place where he can't fall, he'll just cry. Sometimes they just cry no matter what you do - so save your own sanity a few minutes at a time. Remember - you DO deserve a shower!

Best of luck.

Sara

My son's crying started at around 6 weeks and increased for months when the doctor finally suggested that it might be GER (acid reflux.) A week later, after starting medication, my son changed into a happy baby. As far as your baby wanting to be carried, do it if you can. Today's lifestyles make it difficult but I believe it's the way babies were meant to be nurtured. Are you feeding him every 2 hours as is often suggested for newborns? This might sound crazy but could he be hungry? I wish I could be more helpful on this one. A year from now you will hardly even remember this time.

E.
My daughter is only 10 weeks old, but the only thing that I found the remotely helped the crying when she wasn't being carried was to put her in the bathroom with the fan on and swaddled in her bouncy seat that vibrates. I think any kind of white noise, swaddling, and vibration would work, but I found this out one day by accident when I had to shower! The other thing that works... carrying her! The crying has gotten better, but she still cries for no apparent reason at all and wants to be picked up and loved. They say that it's okay to hold them a lot and it won't make them more needy in the long run. That's great and all, but sometimes you need to get things done!
Also, a friend of mine used a Moby wrap. You can get them online for about $40. I haven't gotten around to buying one yet, but I did try hers on one day and my daughter loved it. I was also comfortable!
Oh, and by the way, the 6 to 8 week mark was the worst for us for the crying. Hopefully it gets better for you too!

I am so sorry you're facing this. About 6-8 weeks their little bodies are getting more alert, but their brains are not developed. It is suppose to be the height of fussiness. But it sounds like your baby is 'colicky.' I would have her checked out by you doctor to rule anything else out (ear, reflux, hernia, food intolerance, etc.) Then you can know what you're dealing with. If it's colic there isn't much you can do, other than try some soothing techniques (massage, homopathic remedies, swaddleing, encouraging sleep, white noise, etc.).

But know that it's not somthing you did or didn't do. Some babies are just colicy. Do what you can to soothe, even if that means holding a lot. You pretty much can't spoil them this young. They are use to 24 7 holding from being in your 'tummy'. Just do what you can in the soothing area, but take care of yourself too. If you have to put him down, or get someone else to hold him for awhile don't feel bad - you need breaks for your sanity. A crying baby can nearly put you over the edge if you don't take a break.

Hi E.,

I want to let you know that a colicky baby only means his nervous system is not working at 100% of its potential. Your baby boy does not have to go through that pain--it is unnecessary. I work for a chiropractic office and we have experience with helping the baby's nervous system get as healthy as possible quickly--because babies respond so easily. I implore you to contact me so we can help your baby not suffer anymore and be the happy, healthy baby he and you want him to be.

We have over 5 years experience treating newborns days old to seniors. If you would like more info on how chiropractic can help your family, please feel free to reply.

I am 6 months pregnant with my first, and after 5 years of not only working for the offices and being a patient. I hardly ever get sick (like I used to) and my pregnancy has flown by without any complications, sicknesses or any other negative instances. I am doing a waterbirth at home and within hours of my birth, my baby girl will receive her first adjustment(which is painless & less than 30 seconds).

As your child is being born, the neck and back vertebrae can go out of alignment due to the stretching and compressing of the body as it emerges into the world. If your delivery included a prolonged pushing stage, forceps or vacuum extraction, or other form of assisted delivery, the chances of a misalignment are great.

If the misalignments, called vertebral subluxations, are big enough, the functioning of major systems in the body can be compromised. The digestive system can be affected and ineffective digestion of breastmilk and formula can cause major discomfort in your baby, leading to colic episodes.

Many parents are wary of taking their small, helpless babies to see a chiropractor. The main reason being the "Snap, Crackle and Pop" stereotype that chiropractic invokes.

In actuality, the adjustments that a chiropractor will do on your baby is basically applying gently pressure with the finger to areas on the neck and back. You may see your baby totally relax before your eyes as the misalignments are corrected.

he could have colic or there could be something wrong with him, have you taken him to the doctor?

at such a young age, his crying is an indication that something is bothering him. He is only soothed by being held. Homeopathy is a great natural medicine that you can try. Go to Whole Foods, Fruitful Yield, sometimes Jewel or Dominick's has it in the natural foods section or the baby section. Try the Colic formula -- here's what it looks like:
http://hylands.com/products/colic.php

Put 2 tablets into 4 oz of purified or bottled water and swirl for 15 seconds. Keep it in a glass jar or a baby bottle in the fridge. Drip 1/4 tsp into his mouth. Repeat every 15 min until he settles for a maximum of 6 times. Once he's a lot better, stop giving the remedy. If this does not help, you should see a professional homeopathic Dr who can help him. We go to Dr. Josephine Polich in Naperville. www.dupagehomeopathic.com is her website and it has a ton of great newsletters, testimonials, etc. There are other homeopathic Dr.s in the area, though. This medicine is over 200 yrs old and has no side effects, which even Newborn Tylenol has. It's such a wonderful medicine, it helps my son w/ his eczema and food allergies.
Email me offlist if you want to know more about it or how to find a different homeopath in the area.
best of luck and congratulations. -- oh, and if you don't have a baby carrier or a sling, you should try that. I recommend mobywrap.com and mayawrap.com for later on.

Maybe he has gas or something. Try Mylicon gas drops and see if that works. It is safe for babies that age, I had to use them on my daughter from the time she was 6 weeks old and they worked.

Sounds like our little girl too. It will pass, but for now he needs to be held. Get a wrap or sling carrier (I love my Ellaroo wrap, www.ellaroo.com), our daughter was in one from the time she was 4 weeks and still rides in one. Though I can put her down now! It does get easier, I promise.

S.

Six week old babies do not cry constantly for no reason. This is not a habit, but his only way of telling you that something is wrong. There are all sorts of reasons. Since he can't tell you what's wrong, you have to be a detective. Ear infection? Heartburn (yes, in very young babies)? colic? Allergy? Supersensitivity to something going on in the house? Something else? At six weeks, you do not let a baby "cry it out." There is a reason this child is so unhappy. Find it and you will have a happier baby.
M.

could be alot of things. he's not getting enough to eat. could be he as a digestive problem. mine cried after meals for hours till we discovered he would have bad gas. took him to doctor he gave him digestive drops for before he ate then he was fine. talk to your doctor could be colic

E.,

It sounds like your little bundle is right on schedule. When my son was 6 weeks he also went through a time when all he wanted was to be held. Hold him. The more you comfort him, the more secure he'll be, and the better he'll trust you when he grows older and doesn't need the constant carrying/holding/rocking.

Get yourself a sling and carry him around while you go about your day. You both win. Try to nap with him, either sleeping when he sleeps or taking naps together in your bed.

Target carries a great sling for about 25 bucks. It's made by Infantino. It was a real life saver for me at around this time. Brian hated the Bjorn, so I used the sling all the time. Some days it was the only way I went to the bathroom without him screaming his head off.

Also, get a copy of the dvd of Happiest Baby on the Block. We stalled watching it, thinking it was a bit hokey. But the techniques he talks about work. Your little one will resist the swaddling at first, and scream, and struggle, but give it a couple of minutes and you'll see a miracle happen. Calm will arrive, and so will sleep. Swinging motions are very soothing at this age as well. If you have a swing, use it. If you don't, borrow one from someone or buy one.

GOod luck, and hang in there. Just remember that you can't spoil a baby, and what he needs right now is to be close to you. So do yourselves a favor and figure out ways to make that happen. THe sling is a wonderful way to wear him and still have your hands free so you don't feel trapped.

Hold your baby! You can't spoil a child at 6 weeks old! Lots of people will say you are spoiling him, but at that age up to 6 months to 1 year (depending on child), you can't spoil them because they only have needs, they don't know what a "want" is. He needs his mommy. There may be something else wrong, but if he stops crying once you pick him up, then maybe he just needs to be comforted and needs to feel secure. Maybe his "love language" is touch - "5 Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman. Praise God for your baby boy! Congratulations! I'm a mother of 3, let your baby boy know you're there and let him feel secure. It will establish his confidence, etc. even at this early age. If he doesn't stop crying, take him to his Dr. or even a chiropractor that specializes in natural healing. Dr.'s usually treat the symptoms for a "quick fix" instead of investigating & figuring out why a problem is occuring. (I'm also a CNA working towards my RN.) God Bless!!

I just want you to know that there is nothing wrong with getting ear plugs! I use them personally. I only use them when she is screaming, not when she's calm or we're sleeping or anything. Getting the volume down goes a LONG way towards staying sane, being able to clearly focus and just being able to hold and comfort them while they wail. It turns the stress WAY DOWN.

Also, I would suggest a good chiropracter (Mainstreet Chiropractic in Plainfield is excellent)and have your little one checked out. Often times a baby is "colickey" bc they have a sublexation that occured during the birth and they have no way of letting you know of the pain or discomfort they may be experiencing. A simple and gentle adjustment might be all he needs to be ok. God Bless!

Are you sure u'r burping enough? Get baby on his tummy on ur lap with legs slightly parted (leaving room for his little belly only) while burping. U can rock gently while patting his back and when he's done, rub his back until he falls asleep, still rocking. Before u get up, gently place him on ur chest and keep rubbing or gently patting. Music should be going so he's very relaxed. He should become use to noises so outside sounds don't wake him up. Telephones & t.v. on low but keep sounds going. Walk him to his bed and lay on his tummy, keep patting for a minute or 2. Walk out quietly so he still hears the music, not u. Good luck mommy

E.,

Sounds like colic to me too. Him wanting to be carried is normal - it's not a habit. Some will tell you to leave him to cry it out for long periods of time, I don't happen to agree with that.

My daughter used to stop when I would hold her and run the vacuum cleaner (discovered that by accident)! I had some real clean carpeting during those weeks :-)

Also, not sure if other posters mentioned this, lay down on your back and put your baby's tummy on your tummy. The warmth of your tummy on his can help alleviate his gas and the sounds of your belly will soothe him (plus you might get a nap if he falls asleep - bonus!). Of course be careful to keep airway clear - carefully turn his little head to the side and pat gently on his back.

Ask for help from any experienced Moms you know who can get there, even if for few minutes - so you can get a break. I recall my Grandma having a gift with any colicky baby, she would just pick them up and kind of rock them a certain way up close to her chest, making a quiet 'shushing' sound near their ear. It was pretty amazing to see, though I never 'got' how she did it.

Be sure to give yourself breaks - put on some music to distract yourself from hearing the crying and pay attention to yourself for a few minutes throughout the day. A little crying is good for their lungs, it's not always a bad thing.

But trust your instinct and call your pediatrician if you are uneasy - if he is really crying "nonstop" even when held, or if any sign of temp or congestion. He might need a change in his formula or there might be something bothering him from your breastmilk.

hugs, we've been there

W.

This is a tough stage... but it's not abnormal, if that makes you feel any better.

From about 6-12 weeks, babies frequently have a "fussy period" - usually near the end of the day, when the really need to cry to blow off some steam and "reorganize". There's not much you can do about it except for do your best to sooth him and sing to him, etc. This may be what you're starting to encounter.

As far as wanting to be held all the time, this is also totally normal. Think about it.. your baby has only been in the world for 6 weeks. This is not a lot of time. He is comforted when he is near mom or dad. The world is a big lonely place without being next to someone. I suggest trying to wear your baby as often as you can - this will keep your hands free and allow you to do things while keeping him calm. A wrap or a sling or even a baby bjorn will work for this. I personally found the baby carrier reviews at www.thebabywearer.com to be very helpful and have 2 wrap-type slings and a fleece pouch sling. Note that with carriers if you haven't used one before, it will take some time for your baby to get used to it. Put him in it for only a few minutes the first day, then maybe 10 minutes the next day, etc. By day 3 or 4 both you and he should be quite comfortable with the whole thing.

That was common for me also. I have 2 daughters-one is 3 and the other is 4 mos. My 4 mo old always wanted to be held and would cry non-stop when I put her down. She hated her crib also which meant I spent quite a few nights with her sleeping on me on the couch. What worked for us during that time was using a sling and I bought one of those hammock beds(ours is like an Amby bed but a different brand)off of Craig's list. The slings are nice because you can still use your hands but it was even nicer to have her sleeping on her own in the hammock bed. They are a little expensive but you can look for one on Craig's list or ebay if the full price is too much. We ended up getting ours for $50 and it has been so worth it. It gets easier and they become more comfortable on their own. My pediatrician told me that the first 3 months are sort of like the 4th trimester as the babies still want to be snuggled so much which I thought was a great way to look at it. Good Luck!!

E.: he is only 6 weeks old. I fholding him makes him happy, go for it. Strap him in a bundler and carry on. Babies this young do not form habits. You needn't worry about that for some time. He will actually become more secure if he is held more often, thus allowing you to put him down without him fussing. All 4 of my children were held for the practically the first 12 weeks of their life. No harm done.

lots of children are like that at that age. I think most of us carry them around in a sling to keep them cozy. A swing sometimes helps if it is nice and snuggly. I also got an amby bed which is like a hammock and it worked pretty well but for a lot of the first 2-3 months I carried my little one around. I think they are so neurologically immature and used to the coziness of the womb that outside is hard for them.

Hi E.,
I know this can be frustrating. When my daughter went through crying phase it was hard for me to get anything done. She would fall asleep in my arms and then wake up once I would lay her down. I would nurse her a lot which seemed to help. Around this time she went through a growth spurt and needed to eat more frequently. I also bought a cloth sling that cradled her just like when I hold her so she was close to me but then I had my arms free to get stuff done. Remember you can not spoil a baby or hold them too much at this age, they are just too little. We can condition them or they do get used to be held but that is once they are a little older. I personally am not a big fan of letting my baby cry for more than 10 minutes. At this age crying is their only form of communicating so if he is crying it is for a reason and if holding him helps then hold him. He will only be this little and needy, enjoy because time goes by fast. I hope this helps.
C.

There is a wonderful invention called a baby sling. You can carry your baby around with your hands free. Babies love it. Research has shown that the inner ear of a baby is not yet developed. This part of the ear has to do with coordination and balance. Babies that are carried around and exposed to the constant movement and position change of a moving mom develop better coordination and balance - meaning that they will be better at physical things like walking, sports, bike riding and the like, than babies that are put in fixed position baby seats. As the inner ear develops during the first year, this advantage stays with the baby their entire life.

Hi E.,
Hang in there! I would recommend a baby carrier. That way at least you have your hands free and you can eat and go to the bathroom. My son wanted to be held alot, too and I got to feeling resentful and like a hostage until I got a carrier. There are tons of carriers to choose from. I used two; one was a Maya Wrap and the other just a plain old front carrier from Target. My son was happiest when he was swaddled and held close. I think because that's how they were in the womb and that's what they knew up until now- its what makes them feel safe. I think, too that their tiny systems are still figuring things out. If they get gas that can be very painful and they don't have the ability to move around to try and get it out. I used to hold my son's legs up- bent at the knee when I noticed he was trying to poop. He would just scream out in pain. Might be a good idea to call your doctor, too. But overall, try not to feel bad if he cries for a few minutes when you have to pee or get something to eat, but I'd get back to him asap because in these beginning stages this is how the learn to trust that you will be there for them when they need you. Unfortunately babies don't conform to our needs, in the beginning we kind of have to conform to theirs- and sort of east them into a schedule a tiny step at a time as their abilites develop-that was my experience anyway. It gets better, I promise! I hope that helps. :)
Blessings,
J.

Hi, I have had the same problem with my 2 month old boy. When ever he cried when i tried to put him down, I would soothe him, and sing to him as i put him in his swing. Then i would stand there and just talk to him a minute and then walk away. It works most of the time. And somtimes he will go in his bouncer, but it mostly works with the swing. Good luck hun.

E., read the book or rent the DVD on "the Happiest Baby of the Block by Harvey Karp, M.D." you should be able to get it, at your library. It give you 5 ways of making a infant to stop crying. I hope you get it and it help you out with your infant.

Best of luck
M

Then hold him! I know it's not easy to keep a house clean, etc. Honestly, read his cues and respond...I had to do the same thing with my kids. I highly recommend getting a sling (or four) and carry him around. He may still cry, but all he wants is his mommy. Sounds like it's a miracle that you even have this baby...enjoy cuddling with him...and don't worry, this stage will pass. If you ever feel like you can't handle the crying and may hurt him (we're all human and reach the end of ourselves at some point), please put him down for awhile or call someone who can come over to help you. This sounds very much like colic. I've been through 2 babies with colic. VERY difficult. It WILL pass...I promise. Hang in there! A book I found very helpful and not overly "bookish" was "The Baby Book" by Dr. William Sears. He talks about colic and the benefits of babywearing (having the baby in a sling on you).

E.
Congratulations on your miracle baby!
It is only normal that your new baby wants to be held at this age, and this is not a
habit that needs to be broken.
Swaddle, Carry your baby, use a swing, let him suck, and carry him in the side lying position.

I am a Certified Happiest Baby on the Block Instructor.
If you feel you need professional help, I do private classes/consults.

You can do it!!

K. RN BSN CCE
____@____.com
www.babyfeat.net

6 weeks is definitely the time for this... it will get better. He could be experiencing colic as well... keep him close/sling if you can. If he likes being swaddled still, try that. Hang in there.

My first son had that - of course being new parents, you don't now what to do. We had to change formula - we had to find one with out iron, which is really hard to find.
With my other 2, I did not have that problem..
Good Luck!

Maybe a formula problem, unless you are breastfeeding. If he is on formula, contact your Dr., he may need to be switched. We had the same issues with an adopted baby in our family.

PS--he is too young to be spoiled, carrying him comforts him.

Congratulations! At this point, your baby is just young and wants to be near you or your husband. This is really normal. I know that it's hard, but you should enjoy it and relax. If you need to get stuff done around the house, but the baby in a sling or a baby carrier in the front. Take turns with your husband.

Just to be sure, I would call the pediatrician and tell him/her everything about how your baby is feeling/acting to make sure it's nothing else.

If it is just wanting to be held, don't worry about it. You can't spoil a baby. This is when they really need to feel love and security!

Make sure that you get some rest and a break from the house/baby so you are fresh. It can be really hard to hear someone cry all the time.

Good luck!

If your baby likes to be held and carried, why not go ahead and do that. Babies are warm and snuggled inside of us for 9 months or thereabouts so it is very difficult for them to be in the "real world". Nothing is wrong with holding your child and offering them that comfort and it won't create bad habits for the future (instead, it should increase the bond between you).

If holding your baby is preventing you from getting things done (or working) consider using a sling. Wraps are extremely comfortable for both moms and babes and allow you to keep them close to you in many different positions (my daughter even went to work with me in this way for close to 6 months). If slings are not an option, try different papasan chairs (the kind that vibrate) or swings. A lot of times,babies just need the motion to help them get comfortable.

Enjoy this time with your little one because it definetly won't last forever. Hold them for as long as you can.

Sounds like Colic. My little one had it. Started at 6 weeks, ended at 8. Talk with your doctor, I bet he or she concurs. All I could was hold him and walk endlessly. The Dr. told us it usually starts shortly after they begin smiling. I don't know of any real solutions, other than constant motion (the swing worked too). Good luck. But talk to your Dr. for reassurance.

He could be a colic baby. Try taking him for car rides at night, that might help. Or, put him in his car seat and put the car seat on top of your dryer, that works as well. Umm...try cradling him on your hand. Put his head sideways on your hand and carry him almost football hold style, atleast that's what I've been told and that's what I've read in the What to Expect the First Years book. Eventually he'll get over this stage. Good luck.

Is he getting enough to eat? My third cried a lot and I finally realized that her nursing was being cut short over and over again b/c I would have to deal with one of her siblings. Once I started nursing her for longer, it helped. You mentioned that he only wants to be carried. Do you have a sling? I didn't use one with my first two, but I don't know how I would've survived without it with the crier! My all-time favorite (that I feel like I used 24/7) was from kangarookorner.com. It was fleece, so it was incredibly comfortable. It seemed to be the only place she was happy for the first three months. Good luck, and hang in there. It'll get better soon!

Have you tried a baby carrier? I had a front carrier that allowed me to get things done and then you could use it as a back carrier when they get bigger. I don't know but it work for me until she got big enough to get curious about things, and entertain herself a little.