Last night our 11 week old daughter would not stop screaming. This is not her temperment at all! She's been a very laid-back baby with no signs of colic, sleeping through the night since 6 weeks old, etc. We've been very blessed. She didn't eat much yesterday afternoon/evening when it seemed like she should have been hungry. I pump my breastmilk and put it in a bottle mostly. She wouldn't eat from the bottle or my breast. She truly sounded like she was in pain. She didn't seem gassy, but just in case, I gave her some gas drops. When things didn't get better and because she truly sounded like she was in pain, I gave her a little Tylenol. She normally goes to bed about 9, but didn't last night until almost 11. She didn't feel warm, so although I didn't take her temp, I'm sure she didn't have fever. She has been drooling this past week and I wondered if she could be beginning to teethe. I know it's early, but I have no idea what else it could be. Anyone else have any ideas?
I believe my daughter did have gas. When I went back and thought about what I had recently eaten, the only thing I could think of that may have been problematic was a Mexican lasagna I had eaten the day before she had her screaming fit. It had beans and chili seasoning in it. She is doing much better now and I'm avoiding that dish until I'm done with the breastmilk! I appreciate many of the concerns and thoughts that most of you conveyed. I do have to say that I'm disappointed in the number of people who criticized my use of Tylenol and made assumptions that I just randomly guessed at the proper amount to give my daughter. I have discussed with my pediatrician the appropriate amount to give my child. I also have an 8 year old son who I have given Tylenol since he was a baby. He has lived to tell about it! I would never answer someone's question in such a judgemental fashion as some of you chose to. For those who expressed care and concern, I thank you!
I had three boys and went through this several times... it was almost always an ear infection! there isn't always fever, but there is almost always ear pain that can not be consoled.
hope you were able to get a more definitive answer today!
Many times ear infections come along with teething and change in disposition b/c of swelling and fluid can get trapped in middle ear. If a temp develops, that is something to keep in mind.
My son was that age when he cut his first two teeth. When they lay down, the pressure hurts more and feels like ear pain.
Check temp today, it could be an ear infection as well. I know stuff is going around as I have had a sick child, and 8 co-workers from all over had issues as well.
Good luck. ( my little guy was up most of the night as well, I feel for you)
I disagree that your daughter is too young for Tylenol...as its the one thing she can have at her age depending on her weight. By chance could she be suffering from acid reflux?? Is she spitting up more or arching her back when she cries? If so, I can give you a simple solution.
Sounds like she's entering the "purple crying" phase that most babies go through. Doctors don't really know what causes it, but one thing is for sure- giving her infant tylenol is a no no! She is WAY too young for tylenol- her body, including her liver and digestive system aren't ready for that at all.
Look up 'purple crying', it sucks but it only lasts for a month or two... In the meantime, cut milk out of your diet (just the liquid version, you can keep eating cheese/yogurt) and start giving her infant massage (you can google it if you haven't heard of it).
Good luck, and remember she'll be ok. :)
Feel her gums. If she bites down or you feel lumps its prob teeth. Try a frozen unopened ice pop. (the kind in the plastic tube) wash the outside before you give it to her. If it dosent seem to be teeth,feel her tummy. Has she had normal diaper changes? Shes crying for a reason. Start at the top,teeth, temperature,tummy,arms,normal playing,diaper....If you cant figure it out and she keeps screaming call the Dr. I hope she feels better.
Let us know!
Could be colic, but if not, could be a twisted bowel. Check with pediatrician.
My son had both his bottom teeth by 12wks - it could absolutely be teeth. Try elevating one end of the bed (where you put her head) to help relieve some of the pressure caused by teething. Also, there are many teething options both chemical and natural. My favorite was the teething tablets (all natural) for daytime and Orajel nighttime (for night of course). My sons both loved to "teeth" on a toothbrush - they didn't like any of the other teethers, even the cold ones. Good Luck!
I'm guessing you've figured it out by now - but something similar happened with my son and we thought he was getting colic. He wasn't - he was constipated. I've heard it's not as common with breastfed babies - but it could still happen. Hopefully she's felling better - but just wanted to share...
It could be almost anything. Because this behavior is different than normal, check with your doctor or pediatrician. It could be cholic (now they have meds for which they did not when my oldest had it and it only would happen when she would be laid down). Could also be ear infection with no symptoms (second had it) or it could just be teething. Either way, see your pediatrician.
Check for an ear infection
My children never had a fever with ear infections (we've had MANY) but would stop nursing/eating and there was/is a complete change to their disposition. I would get her ears checked. It could be any number of things and if you think she is in pain, and this behavior isn't normal for her, I would take her to the doctor.
Bless your heart, listening to such a young baby scream is heart breaking.
My vote is ear ache/infection. Call the doctor. My daughter would be fine during the day and not sleep or take bottles. She did not run fever, my clues were not eating and crying when sleeping.
Good Luck!
This is just me, but I would talk to the doctor before you start dosing meds. Not only do you need to know the proper amount to give if you're going to give something at all, but your pediatrician may be able to tell you what will work best or if its even appropriate.
Is it only happening when you lay her down? My initial thought was reflux. With breastfeeding you also have to look at what YOU eat as a possible cause for problems because everything you ingest gets passed on to baby through it. So if you ate somethign cruciferous (broccoli, peppers etc) those could be effecting her along with several other foods. Another thing you can try for gas is taking a hand towel and tossing it in the dryer until its pretty warm (not hot though!) and wrap it around baby's tummy. The warmth will also help ease discomfort from gas.
My son did start showing signs of teething around that age too, but we never actually saw teeth until almost 6 months old. Try to find a nice thin teething ring that is managable for baby too. Teething beads can also be nice for small mouths.
Excessive drooling can be a sign of acid reflux which as you know can be very very painful. I would make an appointment with your pediatrician asap. In the mean time, I would strongly recommend Grip Water. Its a natural way to help soothe the symptoms. It works great and is all natural so risk free. Its pretty easy to find, most health food stores have it like Sprouts, Central Market, maybe even CVS or a place like that. But for sure, call your doctor.
I'd call the doctor. Just in case. But it totally could be teething. I would be wary of giving medicines to a baby that young unless it was necessary.
Has your daughter had a vaccine lately? Could be a reaction. Also tylenol depletes the glutathione in our bodies which is there to help detox toxins, so tylenol is NOT a good thing to give , especially after vaccinating. Also some of the baby tylenol was just recalled so make sure thats not what you have.
L.
did she just get vaccinated??
Ear infection take her to her pediatrician
Also shes not to young for tylenol just use infant tylenol and its fine thats what my pediatrican said was ok for teething or after shots.
Hopefully things have calmed down by now....but I just wanted to share a story. My son did that one night, and we couldn't figure out why. We tried everything and he sounded in pain. We finally undressed him and found out the elastic band they have around the ankle of sleepers came off and was pulled between his toes. It was really in there and pulling on him. I felt awful.
So now, whenever one of my babies screamed like that, I always undress them to make sure there is nothing hurting them. Something as simple as a hair wrapped around a toe could be causing pain.
It sounds like reflux, I would take her to the pedi. My daughter had reflux and it presented with all of the same symptoms.
When my daughter was around that age, she had something that her Pedi. called a "silent ear infection". She never ran fever, never pulled at her ears, nothing that would have indicated that she had an ear infection. She would just start screaming. Unfortunately, her ear drum ruptured from the pressure. (She hears just fine now.....when she wants to listen!!) It might be something to check out with the doctor.
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