Officially most miserable baby EVER!

[Miracle babe]

OK me and the hubby are really getting to the end of our tether. Our son is basically a miserable git, I actually think he's a 90 year old in the body of a baby. He had his last feed at 1am last night and took 7oz and since then he's had 2 oz over a period of an hour at around 9am and that with me forcing it. I'm worried that he's going so long between feeds, also he only sleeps for 30 mins in the day and the rest of the time he windges. I can't go anywhere as he just screams and none of the grandparents are that thrilled at the prospect of having him as he is such hard work. I go back to work in July and I'm frankly paniced as to how people will cope. He's never been an easy baby but since coming home from hospital after having septicemia he's just getting worse. He's been diagnosed with reflux which is being treated and he's also been on lactose free milk but we are now resuming lactose. Please help any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated. By the way I'm seeing a dietician for him on tuesday, any suggestions and what I should ask or say?

 

[swan1]

Aw hun, no real advice just wanted to say i feel for you, have you tried a sling? i know people on here have said they help if you have a clingy baby? Do you let him sleep when he wants? i always wake Charlie for his feeds even if he is sleeping and am now on 4 8oz bottles a day, i did this from when he was new, i never let him sleep more than 4 hours. If he isnt well it may just be until you get the reflux under control properly he is not getting the nutrients from his food he needs which is why he is cranky. Good luck with the dietician and let us know how you get on.

 

[Miracle babe]

Thanks for the support swan. I really want him to sleep longer during the day and have tried all sorts but he's like a flippin microwave and after 30 mins DING he's awake and thats it, done for the day . He does sleep during the night, goes down at 6 and other than waking for feeds he sleeps through till 6.30-7am so shouldn't complain but he's just such a misery guts during the day and its worrying.

 

[swan1]

Miracle babe, just wondered how you were doing and how you got on with the dietician?

 

[skatty]

Could her be inolerant of milk proteins? This is different to lactose intolerance and much more common in babies. Leorah is milk and soy protein intolerant (MSPI). I'm breastfeeding so avoid these things in my diet but there are pre-digested formulas that are free of allergens. They do smell and taste awful but it could be worth trying as Rowan sounds just like Leorah used to be. You have to get this formula on prescription from the doctor. I was prescribed a tin of Nutrimigen for emegencies but Leorah wont touch it (so I have to be super careful with what I eat!), there is another brand beginning with A (sorry can't remember the name) which is supposed to taste slightly better. I reckon its definitely worth a try

 

[glitzyglamgirl]

You could baby massage to relax him and have some special time with him, heres a good website: http://www.makewayforbaby.com/massages.htm

Let me know if you try it and how you get on [/url]

 

[kimisgirl]

Hi Hun, It sounds like your baby is just not getting into any kind of routine which is making life hard for all of you. I highly recommend a book called "The Contented Little Baby" by Gina Ford. It was an absolute lifesaver for me when I had my first. All my friends took the micky out of me because I followed her suggestions for routines to the letter and they thought it was hilarious, however I got the last laugh when after a few weeks I had a baby that was sleeping brilliantly and happy when awake, and I could go to the toilet without having to take him with me.

I would advise anyone who is having probs with infants 0-12 months to at least borrow a copy and read it, trust me if you can be bothered to follow her advice you will notice a different within a week or two

x

 

[cassi]

How was he on the soya milk? Was he any better, It does sound like there is an underlying problem.....Have you tried making set nap times and rocking him in a bouncer before he gets to the point that he is overtired and wont sleep....that is what I have to do with Jakob....and since he is a much happier baby, and also getting him down to bed well and nice and relaxed has made him much happier too.

Does he have gaviscon in his milk? I find this really helps with Jakob.

I hope things get sorted for you soon.

Cassie

 

[Eveadel]

I can totally relate to this. My Isabella was hardwork until about 6 weeks ago. I swear if you was trying to make her laugh she would be thinking ' 'there is no way Im laughing at you'. I also worried if anybody looked after her as she was a winger and very unsettled, moody and generally unhappy. I dont know whether it was just an age thing but she is 90% better. If she carrried on being miserable I definetly would not have another baby - she would put me right off.

Saying that I love her billions & billions and she is my little mate and I cant imagine life without her

 

[Miracle babe]

Thanks for the support everyone xxxx. Before we saw the dietician we decided to start increasing Rowan's gaviscon intake (he was having 1 sachet in a 7oz bottle but by taking it up to 8oz I could increase the gaviscon to 2 sachets) he has since been much better. They did tell us in the hospital that his weight had dropped from the 50th centile to the 25th although not below it which worried us but looking back on my daughters red book from 7 years ago she did the exact same thing Maybe I just have babies who lose weight at 18-19 weeks
Anyway today has been the best day ever he had a 7oz bottle at 10am slept for AN HOUR and has been a sweetie all day. He ate his solid with relish at lunch and has just gone down for another nap.
There is some questions about whether or not there is a dairy intolerance but to be honest I think its all been down to reflux as he can take 7-8oz without a problem so why would he only show an intolerance at some times and not others?
Anyway the dietician suggested changing his milk but I asked for a week so we can find out if the gaviscon is working and she agreed and so far so good . I'm hoping this is the start of something positive and we don't have to mess about with his feed, lets hope for the best
Thanks again girls much appreciate the support
xxxxxx

 

[foxymum]

i'm glad things are improving for you hun, Louie has been miserable for a few weeks now due to a cold , but last few days he has re discovered his dummy & when hes whingeing this seems to be magic!! although i don't want him getting too used to it
take care.xx

 

[Bodkin]

Hiya - just wanted to add some comments about reflux. My sister's son had this and was completely miserable - as you are experiencing.

I'm glad to hear you have seen some improvement lately and I think trying different milks is a good idea as you may find there will be one that just suits your little one.

I wanted to reassure you that once solids are introduced and especially once they get past the 6 month mark the reflux normally improves dramatically and may even disappear completely.

My nephew was underweight early on but after six months he caught up and he's a real bruiser now!

Good luck and well done for coping with a reflux baby - they're not easy but you're nearly past the worst bit now x

 

[nicki]

Good to hear things are improving slightly, its such hard work. I went through similar thing with Jamie when he was about 4 - 7 months old, even though he would sleep ok on most days & his feeding was fine, he would whinge & squeal really loudly all day long & it drove me bonkers but looking back now I think alot of it with him was frustration, once he could crawl (7 months he started) it stopped & was total bliss!

 

[Miracle babe]

Thanks for the reassurance Bodkin. I must say he has been much better for the last 3 days -since we increased the gaviscon. Also yesterday I introduced him to banana and the look on his face was priceless - like Christmas just came around again so now he's having veg for lunch and fruit for tea interspersed with milk throughout the day and yesterday he took 32oz and 2 solid feeds so things are really looking up. I feel so happy as Rowan seems so contented and happy, I honestly never thought this day would come although I feel guilty typing this as I feel I could be jumping the gun. Also agree with you Niki that it could partly be frustration with Rowan he really wants to get shifting and it looks like he's going to be giving up the bouncy chair as he keeps trying to sit up bless him
Anyway thanks again to everyone who has helped and hopefully will continue to help me cope with my delicious little reflux baby xxxxxxxxx