Newborn Fussiness - What Worked for You?

Updated on October 23, 2016
M.O. asks from Barrington, IL
15 answers

OK, so it's a given that a newborn is going to cry - it's not like I expect him to be quiet, but we've had bouts of extreme crying from 8-11pm. We've tried Gripe Water with some success. I am now tracking foods I eat to be more aware if something I'm eating is affecting the breastmilk and causing him problems - caffeine also seems to be a trigger.

My question is what worked for you after you fed - changed - swaddled and rocked to no avail? I'm interested in what you figured out was your baby's problem AND what worked for fussiness?

Thanks Moms!

1 mom found this helpful

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S.C.

answers from Tampa on

Dr. Harvey Karp,"the happiest Baby on the Block" is real basic ,step by step,tried and true calmers..hang in there mama..my son wailed it seemed like FOREEVER!! it does get better..wish I'd seen Dr. Karps method when I had a baby

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N.D.

answers from Chicago on

We used to call my newborn's cranky time "Monster Hour" which invariably started from 7pm and went till about 9-10 pm, every night without fail, until she turned 3 mos old. She would sometimes have extreme crying bouts to just being hyper and having to be constantly stimulated and cannot be put down. Things we did during these hours:
--Carried her around in a bjorn
--put slow music on, and swayed to the music while holding her
--Putting the vaccuum cleaner on or putting her near a dryer (white noise)
--Putting her in a swing
--When all else failed, we took her for a walk outside or for a long car ride.
--We also gave gripe water nightly, not sure if it helped or not, but it's not harmful anyway.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Handing the baby over to her dad when he got home and locking myself in our bedroom with the crossword puzzle. :D

Seriously, we tried everything you have with our first. She was a fussy, cranky baby from about 7pm-11pm every night for a month or two (seemed like forever). She finally settled down when we put her in the vibrating bouncy chair. We burned out 3 motors in 3 chairs.

Never did figure out what her problem was (still haven't). She's 11 now and whatever it is, I'm sure it's hard to pronounce. hee

Good Luck, Mom!

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

My son was super hungry during those hours,so we just nursed a lot. He also liked the swing.

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D.G.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter had colic really bad, and it was worst at night. We ended up getting some prescription medication from our pediatrician which really helped her. Also, we burped her ALOT, more then the norm. The thing she loved was being in her swing. We also had a vibrating chair and a vibrating/musical bassinet which she loved.

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

Do you have a Bjorn carrier or other carrier? My son loved to be wrapped up in a Moby wrap while I gently bounced on an exercise ball. Swing, walk outside, vibrating bouncy seat.....good luck! It will pass soon :-)

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E.S.

answers from Providence on

I have settled my fussy newborn with the help of Babies magic tea.

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V.N.

answers from Chicago on

We did the 5's from happiest baby on the block... sometimes only swaddling was enough but other times we had to do many of them.

I rented the movie from the library. It helped.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter was really fussy every night from about 7-10pm. We never found out why, but I have heard that many newborns are fussy in the evenings simply because they are overstimulated. Her fussiness started when she was around 7 weeks or so and just disappeared on its own when she was around 12-16 weeks old. The one thing that worked for us was the Slingrider. My husband used to put it on and put her inside it and walk around in circles. She would calm down (and sometimes even fall asleep) in less than 5 minutes. It was a lifesaver!

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D.K.

answers from Chicago on

I have found rubbing the tummy in a clockwise motion helps a lot, & laying the baby on his back & pumping the legs up to the chest & back down to stretch out the lower back & release gas. When my guy was tiny we used the swing in front of the Christmas tree with soft music, who could resist?!

Good luck & congrats on your new baby!
D.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

We were told that there are 2-3 hrs a day that a newborn will cry for no real reason other than to cry. You can try music, or the swing, or just put him down in the crib, walk away to relax and pick him back up.. good luck.

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D.T.

answers from Chicago on

How old is your baby? May not be something your eating if it's only happening at the same time everyday. I have 4 boys. My youngest being 5 months. I would try a ritual bedtime. Bath rocking nursing, back groud music (cd player looping calming music. Get him almost asleep...give passy swaddle. Keep doing the same thing he will get it. I know with other little ones it can be a bit noisy..so the music helps drown out the noise. Also watch how long he's napping and how often he should be napping 2-3 times. I give a morning nap only for 1-2 hours then keep him awake till afternoon....and let him nap as long as he likes! Hope this helps!!!!!I'll say a prayer it gets better quickly!

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

One of my twins was fussy after every feeding. He would cry for 20-30 minutes until he eventually wold have a major spit-up. I eventually figured out it was tomato sauce, which I had been consuming a lot of after the boys were born. Hopefully it's just a food you're eating.

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A.C.

answers from Dallas on

Snuggle spot...It is a baby bed/pillow that makes a baby feel like it is being held when you cant hold it. www.laneybug.net

I don’t know about you but I had a spoiled baby that only liked to sleep if someone is holding her. I got tired of sleepless nights so I invented this pillow that I call the Snuggle Spot. The pillow snuggles the baby so they feel like some one is holding them and they are safe. Babies love it, the first time I put my daughter in it she slept 9 hours straight and every night since! I put her in the pillow fully awake with a full belly, and swaddled. Since the pillow snuggles them the swaddle stays intact! I recently went out of town and I did not want to pack the portable crib, changing pad, etc. so I just took a chance and only took the pillow. It was amazing, even in a diff environment she slept all night. I just put her in the pillow in the bed next to me or on the floor next to me. It is the perfect Co-sleeper! I changed her diapers in it, She likes to watch colors and lights of the TV so i put it in front of the TV. It fits perfectly in portable cribs and in regular cribs. My Daughter has reflux and has to be elevated so that her formula stays down, The pillow slightly props her up so that she is comfortable and stays clean!!! If you have and questions or concerns or want to place an order feel free to send me a message. The pillow is totally custom, you can pick the fabric, name or saying.

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter was like this every night from about 3 or 4 weeks till maybe 3 months. I swear she sounded like a feral cat when she did her screaming. She hated being swaddled and never took a pacifier. She still hates having her arms caught in a blanket. I can count on one hand how many times she was gassy and she was not colicky. I asked the doc about it and he smiled, totally normal. I did not remember my others doing this and I think with 3 at once I definitely would have. I do remember them crying for no reason but not for several hours. I agree with it being their development step and the way babies can wind down. When I went back to work, I did pass her to my husband at times. He worked until really late at night but he also got to sleep later so I told him too bad.

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