Need Some Ideas to Calm a Crying Baby

The book, "The Happiest Baby on The Block" by Harvey Karp, MD taught me so much about my fussy baby....its a great read!

You can't They come and go as they please and when they want to scream their heads of they will It isn't something you can prevent you just have to deal with it when they happen

Hi!

I used to lay my son across my lap with his belly down and his head slightly hanging over and then bounced my legs up and down while patting his back.

He loved this and would settle down right away and normally fell asleep.

Don't worry V.. It sounds like he just had a tummy ache from the excess gas. Gas can be a powerful force for a baby to handle. Since you did not mention any symptoms other than crying (vomiting, fever, etc) I wouldn't worry. Unless it happens again before Tuesday or he develops any other symptoms I'd just wait till his appt Tuesday and mention it then.
Something I used to do with my little one when she had a burp that just would not come out is to very gently lay her down and sit her up a few times to kind of help the burp out. A nice bath with one of those lavender scented baby baths can be very calming and help baby relax enough to burp. Just think how hard it would be for you to burp if you were in a crying storm. Good luck!
By the way, you mentioned part time work...have you thought about maybe doing an in home business?

As a mother of 3 babies who all had their crying issues, I would recommend 2 books that will help you. The Baby Whisperer - excellent resource and guide to identify your baby's personality and to work best with your baby given his personality type (it's a huge resource for many things though). I have heard great things about The Happiest Baby on the Block. As a doula, I am considering going through this training and adding that to something I can offer expectant and new families. I feel confident recommending it.

I found books on hand to be helpful during those infant years, so that I could refer to them as the "issues" changed. I hope you find some helpful information in those books to help you with your situation.

I think one thing to remember is that crying is not always indicative of a health problem. Some babies cry more than others and many time for no reason. My 3rd baby cried for 15-20 minutes for probably 6 months each time before she went to sleep. Didn't matter if I held her, tried to nurse her, etc - she just wanted to cry. She got herself to sleep after her crying and woke up as happy as happy could be. The Baby Whisperer helped me through this. It was her norm, and she grew out of it to be a happy 4 year old today (no crying before sleep - thank goodness!) My best to you! S.

Dear V.,

I'm a 49 year old mother/grandmother. When my 27 year old son was an infant, he too went through fussy times of crying incessantly. It made me nervous that I wasn't able to console him, but my anxiety only added to his distress.

It sounds like your baby may have had gas pains, that finally subsided after the burps. My tip is to rub a babies back from the waist up as part of the 'burping' process. Just patting them doesn't always work, but the period of back rubbing/patting sometimes helps work the gas out and calms them at the same time. I also believe in rocking babies, whether it's in a chair or standing and swaying as I pat/rub their back. "staying the course" is good advice in all aspects...babies like routine. And remember, babies do cry, and you can't always prevent it no matter what you do for them....just cuddle and comfort them and they'll be fine.

Best of luck....and remember,as he gets older, you only spoil a child with material things and giving in to naughty behavior, you can never give a child too much love and reassurance.

Hi V., As I was reading your story, you said he burped several times, this tells me he had gas on his tummy. I had a very colicky baby and I tried everything.The one thing that worked for me was a nice warm bath with lavender baby wash, and massaging his tummy and back, it will help him either burp or expel the gas. I also used cool water and crushed peppermint mixed together. encourage him to drink some, you will be amazed how fast this works! The doctor told me to sit the baby upright as much as I could when I feed him, this helps keep the air from getting into their tummys. Of course there will be a certain amount of air to pass thru, but not as much as before. Also,the baby senses if your tense or upset so, try to stay calm even though I know its very upsetting knowing your baby is hurting. Good luck

I would wait until your appointment on Tuesday. When our son would start crying like that sometimes it was discomfort and the regular patting to get him to burp wouldn't work. I found if I sat on the couch or in his glider chair and layed our son across my legs, head over one knee, his legs going over the other side, his stomach down. And I bounced him gently with my legs and patted him on the back he would love this.

He would burp quickly and loved how soothing this was and would often fall asleep quickly. I don't know if you have one of the glider chairs with the matching glider ottoman. But sometimes I would lay him across the glider ottoman in the same manner I just described, and I would sit on the floor so I could talk or sing to him at eye level and I would gently push the ottoman so it rocked and pat him on the back. He really liked the motion.

Eventually we got him a papasan swing that the seat reclined in when he was a baby and sat up more when he was older and he almost wore that thing out he loved being in it so much.

Here is a link to the swing he liked. He was a very large baby and it still fit him great. Also because he was such a large baby, he was a larger meal eater which made him harder to burp and made his stomach hurt more until he could get the gas released.

Also I am unsure if you are breastfeeding or feeding formula. But some foods I ate passed through my breastmilk and didn't agree with my son, so after one bad go with certain foods I would avoid them if they gave him bad gas.

Also when we started supplementing with formula, the first formula we used didn't agree with our son's stomach. He did not like it and constantly threw it up and it gave him terrible gas. It was the premixed liquid. When we switched to the powder formula, he didn't have any of those issues. So sometimes it can be the formula too.

www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265268&c...

I normall don't contradict people, but I have to caution you on using the Baby Whisperer...that type of scheduling isn't helpful for your breastfeeding relationship if that's what you're doing, and just doesn't work for many babies I've come across. It works for some, but if you do read it and your gut tells you things don't sound right for you, trust your gut.

That said, if he felt better after the burp and the bath, I'd strongly suggest finding a certified infant massage instructor around you. This could be just the thing to help him.

Another consideration is that some crying isn't for discomfort, hunger, or fatigue...it's just crying as we cry when we need to relieve stress, etc. That's not to say you should let him cry it out. It is NEVER a good idea to let a child cry it out on their own...this sends the message that when they communicate with you you don't listen to them and that their attempts to communicate are pointless. It does mean that sometimes you don't have to solve it, but can help him through it. Allowing him to cry but with your supportive holding, patting, swaddling, etc., can sometimes let him relieve his stress but with your support.

keep us posted. But Infant Massage can make a world of difference. And if you are breastfeeding, please don't let anyone convince you that formula will make him feel better....it usually doesn't.

Good luck,
G.

Whenever my daughter had gas I would lay her on her tummy and pat her back. I would also lay her across my lap on her tummy and bounce her a little while patting her. You can also lay him on his back and gently push his legs up towards his tummy. It all helps work the gas out, which is what it sounds like he had. Good Luck. B.

Hello V.,
I can relate to where you are coming from. My son who is now 19, cried non stop when he was that age and younger. Was today the first time your little one cried like that? You noted he finally burped several times and was better. Is your little one experiencing Colic? Usually if that is the case you will notice it prior to 4 months? Was his tummy hard? There are so many different things to look at.

My grand daughter is now 6 months old. She use to cry alot when she was younger. Have you heard of the tummy exercises? Take your hands on their tummy and move them counter clockwise. Then you take their legs and moved them like your riding a bike. After that you are to kneed their tummy gently like you are kneeding bread.
This helps relieve the pressure off the tummy and helps them go get rid of the extra gas.
Hope everything works out for you.
My 6 grand daughter is currently staying with her grandpa and I.
Good Luck with the little one.
Angie

I tried everything on my first son and Dr. Brown bottles worked the best they allow less air in baby's belly. Also a warm bath might help & laying baby on your lap to put some pressure on his belly & rubbing back gently or strip baby down to diaper & put a warm wash cloth on his belly. I have two boys 1 will be 4yrs old next month & a 8.5month old baby boy so the second one was MUCH easier to know what to do. Hang in there in another 2-3 months gas will be almost non-existant make sure you are burbing baby hard enough. I wasn't on the first one & the lactation consultant told me they are not as fragile as we think & I needed to burp him harder than I was It worked too.

Hope all works out for you as far as a job he can be with you at most daycare centers allow baby to come for free;)
A. W

Hello,

My name is A. & my daughter is now 3 years old. I had the same problem. I was going to a chiropractor for myself (from a car accident a few years before) & I took her to see him because she was crying. She sounded like she was in pain all of the time. My chiropractor gave her an adjustment & the crying stopped. Her neck was out of alignment. Now this was when I lived in Florida. I now live in Camdenton, MO. But you might want to conseider it. It does help. Babies are cramped inside us for so long in a curled position. They come out into this world with there backs out of alignment. Chiropractors do wonders for your back. Check around for a good one though. I don't know anyone around here. Ask if they treat many young children. They don't put alot of pressure on the babies back. They used a little metal pogo stick. They place it over ther thumb & it just clicks. You hold the baby while they do it. I hope I have helped even if it was just a little.

welli have 2 sons my youngest son cried constantly when he was little i just comforted him and i played light classical music for him and he slept just fine and it took awjhile but it helped goodluck maybe this will help u give it a try

V.,

I am sure at the end of the two hours, you were both ready for a nap. I must congratulate you for remaining patient and loving... this is a hard time.
My baby would do similar crying. I have read through almost all of the suggestions, and you have a lot of new things to try. This is good news!
I would recommend two things. Have you read Happiest Baby on the Block? (I actually read it and saw the DVD)... It really does work!
The second thing I would suggest is perhaps Chiropractic. My husband is a Chiropractor, and when our son was non stop crying like that... a treatment would be magic.
I wish you so much luck. Be aware of yourself when you might need a break, and dont be afraid to call in a family member for help.

V.,
1st off, be thankful that it is the 1st time that this has happened. It probaly also wont be the last. Do you have one of those bouncy vibrating chairs? It really helped my daughter! Try holding him over your arm like an airplane ride. My girl had bad reflux. I would assume you would hjave had more problems. I doubt it is colic at this point, but i don't know. If it is gas he may be pulling his knees up to his chest.
Be sure to talk to your Dr. on tuesday. I wouldn't worry to much unless it happens again. Mylicon was a savior for us also..

I wish you the best! And my thoughts are with your husband.

Where are you living now?

My 3 month old was doing this about 30 min. after a bottle. It isn't every bottle (I also nurse) and it is not consistent but enough that my doctor prescribed zantac for her. You may ask if the problem seems consistent. I also live in St. Charles. Have you signed up for parents as teachers? They have play groups that you might get involved with. If you have any questions, you can e-mail me at ____@____.com

Hi
I had tons of those problems with my son - my suggestions are use MORE Mylicon (buy the generic!) It is not absorbed in the babies system is just dispells gas and moves on out. So keep giving the drops and then give more!!
AS for socialization you can look for MOPS groups in your area (MOPS.org) or play group opportunities in the community(our area hospital hosts a great one).
Stay home as long as your bidget allows - it's totally worth it!
Best of Luck A.

I do not know if you are nursing? But I had big problems with both my kids..I found that keeping a food diary helped me because each child got uncomfortable with different foods. Both hated certain ones, but life was much easier once I figured it all out. Hope this helps!
B.

The problem may have something to do with him being unable to digest milk well. I'm not sure if you're breastfeeding, but if you are you may want to slack off on the consumption of dairy products yourself for his benefit. But, instead, if you're giving him formula you may want to consider trying a formula made from soy milk instead. And perhaps read up a little bit on dairy allergies in babies and children. My little boy, who is now 6, was an extremely fussy baby but we didn't figure out that he was two that he had a dairy allergy until he was about 2-years-old. I sure wish we'd have figured it out sooner...it would have saved us all so much misery! We had a food allergy test done through Great Plains Laboratory which you can find on the web if you're interested in learning more.

Best of luck to you!

B. C

I have a 5 month old who has done this periodically since he was born.....I tried milicon also, sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. I finally found something at Wild Oats Market that is homeopathic for Colic called cocyntal...it works like a charm. I give him that then I do the "colic hold" ....hold him in your arms tummy facing the floor with your arm under his tummy...his chin sorta hangs over your elbow. This puts pressure on his tummy and helps the burps. We no longer have that agonizing hours long of crying. Also, is he on formula? I had to switch to soy. Just some stuff that worked for me. Hey, where are you located. I am in Tulsa, and am a work from home mom. Would love to meet some mamas that are in the same "life area" as I am.

Sounds like gas. Even if it isn't... it's okay sometimes they do that. My daughter got collicky around the same age, but we were in difficult circumstances and having to live in a smoking home for about a month. If there are no environmental factors that could be causing this... maybe a change in diet?
Some things to try: walk/dance him around gently with his belly cradled along your arm, his arms and legs draped to either side; lay him on his back and gently bend his knees into his belly to help him squeeze out his gas, repeat several times; gently rub his belly. You could also give him gripe water. My daughter would respond pretty well to running water. Vacuuming and making a swooshing noises can work also.

V.-
My son is 6 months old and he too had a lot of gas and tummy problems. We used something called Gripe water it is an all natural remedy for gas and you can find it at Whole Foods or Medicine Shoppe it worked great for my son Sam. We did ask our pediatrician before using it and she said give it a try. My husband is from Ireland and his parents used it on him when he was a child and it has only been in available in the states for a year or so. I hope it works for you let me know
S.

Don't worry you'll both be fine. Sounds like a heavy case of gas from what you said. One thing that always worked for my kids was to lay them on their tummy on my lap and bounce gently while I rubbed their backs in a circular motion. Then I'd turn them over and do the same while rubbing the tummy. The circular motion suggestion was from my Grandmother. She always said if you rub the tummy in the direction you want the gas to go it will help it get out, in either direction. :) Goodluck.

V. - try Hyland Colic Tablets. He probably isn't really colicky, but these help tremendously with tummy aches. I used them with my 1 and 2 year olds and they were a god send. I wish I would have known about them for my other children. Hyland also makes a teething tablet when that time comes. They are little disolvable tablets that work really fast. I get mine in the baby aisle at Walgreens. The pharmacaists know what they are if you need help finding them. I owuld wait until his appointment Tuesday unless it happens a lot over the weekend. Have you changed anything about his diet lately?

Good luck!

I've had great luck with laying the baby across my lap on her tummy and just slowly rocking my legs from side to side. Also, bouncing her on my knee very fast but not hard, like she was vibrating seemed to shake some burps out:-)
She still loves that.

I use mylicon with my 4 month old also. I've found that a double dose is the only thing that does the trick. It says you can give 12 doses a day, but I just give one double dose when I need it. I also have to let you in on another little secret of mine. Get a boom box/ cd player and put it in your baby's room. Buy the cd "For Crying Out Loud". It has different sounds that are soothing to baby. IT WORKS WONDERS. You can find it online. My sons favorite is the sound of the hairdryer. I hope this helps.

It sounds like colic to me. Colic is a very generic term, but usually consists of gas build up. Nature's Sunshine has a product called calming drops (they also have teething drops that work the same way) for infants that was like magic when my little girl was an infant. It is herbal and natural and really Works!! You can find the website and then locate a distributor to get them.

He is fine. Sometimes babies just need to cry. My daughter did that when she was about three months and she is usually a really happy baby. I would wait until his appointment on Tuesday and tell the doctor what happened. As long as he is not running a fever, he should be fine. Sometimes gas bubbles don't go away with the milicon drops.

Is he just fussy or does he seem like he's in pain. My daughter was 3 1/2 months old, cried all the time, threw up even after several burps, usually 15 to 20 minutes after eating (Isomil). She slept in her bouncy seat (elevated) until she was 10 weeks old. During the day we would put her on the floor for a change in her routine. After constant pressure from myself, her ped. finally checked her for and diagnosed her with GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). You take the baby to the hospital, he/she drinks a liquid from a bottle, then they do an x-ray. The x-ray technician saw my daughters reflux immediately and by the time I got home from the hospital my doctor had called in a prescription of Zyntac. Within a week she was a happy baby all the time. Zyntac twice a day and Mylanta (Cherry flavor) after each feeding. She started that in September (3 mths old) and quit taking the Zyntac by December (6 mths old).

Talk with your Doctor, my Daughter went through the same type of thing and it turned out to be Acid Reflux. I know it sounds strange in an infant but it actually is what they are finding out colic is being mis-diagnosed as alot of times. Mylicon does nothing for acid reflux. We ended up putting out little one on a prescription she took it from about 3-6 months old. It helped out tremendously, it was amazing how the nights got so much better. You should read up on this and see if in fact you believe your baby has this.

N.

V....you did all you could do...babies cry soemtimes....don't worry...i have had three,,,take my advise and trust your mama instincts more....you don't need a dr. ...he probably just got air in his tummy... the burp helped...everytimes you go to the dr. you can expose him to sickness also...so only take him when really needs it...and he is sick...it truely sounds like your son is just having a good cry about a tummy ache and that makes you feel helpless i know...you did everything i would have....

I have a almost 7 month daughter. She went through the same sort of things when she was about 4 months. I increased her tummy time which allowed her to release gas from both ends and when we started cereal and foods it seemed to help. Also, after a feeding I tried to keep her upright for 20 min. to help her burp more.
I am also looking for some mothers to hang out with and activites to get me out of the house. I had a response from Kristi and she is hosting a trunk show for Kelly's Kids at her house Thurs night and Sat. morning. I am planning on attending Thurs evening. If you forward your email address to me I will forward the invitation. I have not met Kristi yet bust she souds like a fun mom. She is involved with sevaral couples from her church. They sound like they have a fun time.
As for a part time job, my husband and I have a home bases business that we work on part time. Maybe we can get together and talk about it sometime.
Please relay to your husband that he has all of my families support for his work over seas. I won't be long before you will be reunited as a family soon.
If you have any questions please fell free to reply.
M. B