General Chat

Hi, I've just become a first time granny, and the new parents are concerned that little one cries too much. As they live abroad, I can only advise via phone/email. He's 2 weeks old and has cried basically since birth, they've had a bad couple of days with him. He's breastfed, Mum has plenty of milk, changed nappies regularly, warm and comfortable, but never stops crying when awake, which is most of the time. He doesn't sleep much and they are worried, as they and baby are getting no sleep. They've tried leaving him to cry, but found it difficult and distressing. They tried a dummy, but he won't have it. Are they passing their anxiety on to baby? I know it's a reality shock when alone and having to cope with a new baby, but they are concerned. Thank you all I just want to thank everyone who replied to this thread, with all your input. Baby is now settling much better, he and Mum had an overnight stay in hospital on Monday, to check baby to make sure nothing was wrong, all fine, strong healthy little chap, and Mum got some much needed rest. He's a grumpy babe with plenty of wind, and they have medication to help. A gripe water type stuff, nothing heavy. My utmost thanks to all you wonderful peeps. Cheers Margaret.

I would let the doctor check the baby, maybe nothing but best to check. Hope baby settles soon Heather x

Margaret my son wouldnt sleep and cried a lot the thing that a midwife friend of mine did was swaddle him. Wrapped him in a sheet quite tight so all his arms were inside and that seemed to work for a bit. Not saying it will work but is worth a try apparently some dont like coming out of the nice warm confined space. d xx

Hi Margaret I agree with Heather have the Doctor or the midwive check him over. Did Mum and baby have a difficult birth? Sometimes this can have an efect on them both. Birth stress for babies It is widely thought that babies and children have no structural 'stresses' in their bodies simply because of their age. The reality is very different. Enormous forces have expelled the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby's head is compressed, twisted and moulded in order to facilitate the birth. This birth trauma may be compounded by any of the possible complications that can occur in delivery (for example the necessity for forceps assistance). After delivery the head gradually un-moulds over the next few days. In some cases, however, the un-moulding process may be incomplete and this is especially so in the case of a particularly difficult or assisted birth. In cases like this the baby may have uncomfortable stresses remaining within the head and body, and while many do cope very well, others can show a variety of problems. Cranial osteopathy can relieve distressing pain and pressure in babies and small children The above all sounds rather dramatic - however simplified just means babies head could benefit from a lovely massage :)) My first born never slept and cried most of the time too when awake - I felt useless & stressed out........ maybe she felt my unease who knows? With my second I was prepared & confident and he was a dream child lol Much happiness debi

Thanks Dawn and Heather, I had thought maybe they should get the doc to check, but didn't want to worry them. I always wrapped mine tightly, but out of three, we had two who could yell for England. We had no sleep for 6 months with the father of this little one, and wondered if he just takes after his Dad. I just feel so helpless not being able to take him off their hands for a couple of hours. Oops, filling up now . Margaret.

Hiya Margaret, I know a lot of people might raise their eyes at this suggestion as it sounds a bit 'far out' but if everything checks out with the doctor, try an appointment with a cranial osteopath. It can work wonders. When people hear the word osteopath they think of bone crunchers, but cranial osteopathy on babies is VERY gentle. It's possible that the wee bones of his skull or something else is out of alignment after the birth process and it's causing him distress - though a normal everyday GP wouldn't be able to detect it. Also Bach Flower - Rescue Remedy (available from boots & health food shops) is very good for helping to get over a shock - you tell me if birth isn't shocking!! LOL. It can be dabbed on the wrists of a baby rather than taken orally. If they can't get it in their country you could post some to them. It's worth a try. XXX Sioux

LOL Debi & I were typing at the same time... great minds eh Deb? XX Sioux

Hi Debi, Was an easy birth for a first, just 4 hours, very stress free, calm, relaxed atmosphere. I was the same as you, my first was a difficult baby, the second, born at home, was a dream child. I'll mention the massage to them. Cheers Margaret. Thanks Sioux, Have made a note of that remedy, will see if they can get it in Russia, if not i'll send some over. Baby was checked at hospital when discharged because of his constant crying. I did tell them to ask midwife or their equivalent for advice as i'm not familiar with the system over there. Margaret.

They could try Indian head massage - very very light, feathery strokes up the sides of his skull. If this works, then I agree he needs to see a cranial osteopath. Does he still scream if laid on his stomach? It could be colic although I understand that colic no longer exists, officially, lol. Is mum drinking white wine or eating a lot of grapes? That always made mine scream. OC

Margaret has she tried body massage, Tiddler loved it and slept a dream after even though she was up half night with Colic. We have classes for it here but use oil and run hands up body down arms, legs etc if nothing else might relax baby.

Thanks to all, Will pass on all your ideas, something has to work for them. As long as they feel they are able to do something to calm him, it will help, they love him to bits. Cheers Margaret.

only quick reply as going out of the door, try him on formula milk. had twins and this settled my down

Debs had to stop feeding my son cos he was sooooooo hungry spent all evening with him on oone boob or the other, changed him to formula and he was ok

My second son was like this all the time, he cried non stop and it is very tiring. I would put it down to colic or trapped wind, but I think some babies are naturally grumpy anyway, mine was!!! He used to have me in tears, it was just constant crying all the time, I think I have 1 photo of him smiling as a baby - Which is on the wall now!!!! I had no help from anybody either, but I managed somehow. It got so bad that I caught my other son who was 4 at the time trying to put a cushion over his head to make him quiet!!! Tell your Daughter, by the time the terrible two's come, I think they'll find that baby will skip that, like mine did!!!! Wishing them all the Best Stella X

I'd say try all of the above AND try talking to the baby - not at him, TO him. Hold a conversation or sing gentle lullabys. The soothing tones of a voice he knows may be enough to re-assure him. Worked well with all 3 of mine. It was that or they shut up for fear of more of my singing!!! LOL

Swaddle....or carry in a sling - that's what worked for me, although it was a bit difficult to fry chips lol.

margaret sent u a pm

My youngest was always would cry but as had lots of milk kept saying she is not hungry but she was so for a while breast and bottle fed also she was very nosie from coming home did not like being in the pram as could not see anything always had the radio on so if i had to go out of the room she could here talking Valxxx

My eldest son was born crying and it carried on for about 6 months, I tried everything but nothing worked. I wish I knew about head massage then I would certainly have given it a try. Apparently it works wonders. Sue

hi, may sound daft but does baby stop crying if upright? if so place a small pillow under pram/moses basket mattress. my youngest didnt like laying down so i had him in a bouncy chair with head support from car seat.