My baby is constantly crying and miserable

tears9

I just want some advice really.

I have a 6 month old son. He is constantly crying and miserable. He cries if he is held, he cries if he is on the floor, he cries if he is in his pushchair. He doesn't sleep well. He might take a couple of very short naps a day. At night he wakes 3 or 4 times. He eats well. He has been diagnosed as having reflux and is on medication for it but it doesn't seem to help much. He is formula fed (Cow & Gate) and I have been to the doctor numerous times to see if it could be some sort of milk allergy but she says this is unlikely as he doesn't have a rash.

I just don't know what to do. I feel like I can't do anything, not even go out with him as he starts getting fussy and crying and nothing will soothe him. People are starting to really notice what a miserable baby he is and I have had a few comments. He does laugh sometimes when I am playing with him, but his general temperament seems to be very sensitive and fussy.

I just don't know what to do. I don't know if it could be something other medical that has not been diagnosed (I am going to see a paediatrician in May) or if this is his character, in which case I feel terrible.

Has anyone else had a baby like this that has changed dramatcially and was there a cause?

mummyroysof3

i feel for you, my youngest was described as a miserable baby by everyone around that age, he slept alot untill he was around 5 months was late sitting up, crawling, standing and walking and he didnt seem to get better untill he was starting to stand and walk with a push along walker at around 16 months then finally walked alone at 20 months, he is 2 in a couple of weeks and he is finally starting to be a happier child thank goodness.

sorry ive not been any help just wanted you to know you are not alone, it does get very tiring with them not sleeping properly too im sure you feel you never get any peace xx

nzmegs

perhaps you could discuss with your health visitor about changing to a dairy free formula. if he has reflux already it indicates that something is not right in his diet. Many people have intolerances to milk but don't have a rash. it isn't necessarily an indicator of an intolerance. perhaps of an allergy though. An intolerance to milk would be enough to give your baby tummy pains.

Has he started on solid food yet? Perhaps he is just getting more hungry.

Don't forget that a child will feed off of your moods. So try to make sure that he doesn't see you when you are cross with him or upset. Stay really positive when you are around him. i know this is hard when all he does is cry but it might make a difference.

I have heard that baby massage can help relax a baby so perhaps you could get a dvd or book on that from your library.

Good luck.

tears9

nzmegs wrote: »

perhaps you could discuss with your health visitor about changing to a dairy free formula. if he has reflux already it indicates that something is not right in his diet.

I have literally begged my GP to at least let us try a non-dairy formula but she has said that she can't do this unless the paediatrician in the hospital approves it.

Because my baby is so needy I am finding it very time consuming and I haven't got as much attention for my older child.

gonzo127

have you tried the minimum colic bottles the Dr brown ones i believe are one of hte better ones, yet they cost more but might be worth a try.

is he too hot? mines used to scream murder if she got a little to warm for her liking and of course the crying made her hotter to was ending up being a bit of a cycle.

i know some people hate them but have you thought of a dummy?

gratefulforhelp_2

God bless, honey. Have you tried calling cry-sis?? http://www.cry-sis.org.uk/cry.html

tears9

gonzo127 wrote: »

have you tried the minimum colic bottles the Dr brown ones i believe are one of hte better ones, yet they cost more but might be worth a try.

is he too hot? mines used to scream murder if she got a little to warm for her liking and of course the crying made her hotter to was ending up being a bit of a cycle.

i know some people hate them but have you thought of a dummy?

We have literally tried everything - from changing bottles to changing formulas, all the colic remedies - dentinox, infacol, gripe water, granules for teething - everything.

He is crying now, hysterically, because a toy dropped on the floor. It's driving me mad. His cry is so shrill that I think I am going deaf to boot. I just don't know what is wrong or if he just has a very sensitive/miserable temperament

pigpen

Why don't you buy a tin of soya milk and see if it helps then you can go back to the GP.. preferably one who has a brain.. and say you tried it and it did/did not work and get a referral to a paediatrician.

DD1 cried constantly.. she had a congenital hip dysplasia so was in constant pain!
DS3 had lactose intolerance.. NO RASH!!.. idiotic thing to say he'd have a rash I don't know anyone who has a rash with lactose intolerance. They are windy and bloated and colicky due to the gas produced by the bacteria in the gut being unable to digest the lactose. He aso had reflux and he was incedibly sick.. constantly.. I had him in the sling most of the time just to keep his food in him.
DD5 had reflux and wasn't sicky but had terrible wind and colic pains.

If he doc won't give the milk and says the paed has to do it.. have they made a referral?

What other stuff is he eating? Maybe he is hungry and needs to start with food rather than just milk.. waking 3-4 times a night says he is hungry to me! food is also beter with reflux babies as it usually stays down being heavier and more solid than milk.

I'd get a tin of soya milk and some cereal (milk free!!!) for him.

KittyKate

My baby daughter is only very young, but my brother's son is 2 and has a lactose intolerance. He has never had a rash, so it's a bit daft of your GP to write it off due to this. My brother and his partner follow a lactose free diet quite easily, but I agree you need a paediatrician's approval before withdrawing dairy / cow's milk from his diet. Maybe you could look for a local group or seek another opinion?

Hope you can get to the bottom of it OP x

dktreesea

Six months old is old enough to try on solids. Maybe something like mashed banana or mashed avocado? They are easy on the stomach. My DD had reflux. She was breast fed, but I used to carry her a fair bit as keeping them upright after food rather than laying them down straight away helps the milk/food to move out of the stomach.

FatVonD

Cranial osteopathy.

My son was exactly the same until I took him (I think he was about 3 months) and he improved after just one session. The osteopath described it as him feeling like he had a hangover for the last 3 months (due to bones/plates that had been squished out of place during labour and then not gone back to their rightful place.)

ETA After I'd taken him the health visitor admitted she was a great believer in it but wasn't allowed to recommend it, it was another mum that recommended it to me.