My two month old baby boy is pretty much perfect all day. Some days he sleeps more then others but for the most part he doesn't cry much. And he sleeps through the night just fine except for a feeding around 1am. for about three weeks now, from about 8:00pm to 10:00pm he goes from completely content to crying hysterically . I go through the motions of offering my breast, changing his diapers, setting him in front of a mirror, giving him a bath etc. and some activities will calm and he'll be fine for awhile and then go back to crying. Finally he gets tired and passes out. Last night I was able to lay him down and he fell asleep on his own but tonight he pretty much cried himself to sleep in my arms. I held him real close with his head in my chest and my hand under his butt and that seemed to work, but who knows if it will tomorrow. What do you think is causing this back and forth crying from hysterical to completely content. I would assume it was gas but wouldn't he cry continuously and not be perfectly fine for his bath a few minutes later? Is this just a normal phase? What's your take on this?
Yes my son went through this and it lasted about a month. It was horrible, and there is not much you can do. It lasted for us about half an hour. Just be grateful it will pass.
I found a lot of choices AFTER my daughter went through this phase. One thing I found was Infant Massage. The city has a class, you can pick up a book or video. The best time for this would be right before it happends around 7:30. Babies can't "unwind" by doing the things we do so crying can be their outlet. The massage could relax him and curb the crying. Good luck and from a mom who's daughter had "colic" for 6 months, shes 18 now so you can live through it, although at the time I didn't think I would.
I work with babies and I've seen the Infant Massage do great things. Wish I knew back then what I know now. :)
HI M..
The Good News is, that this condition will pass. The bad news is that it lasts until about 12 weeks or so.
It is called colic. Drs. are not sure exactly what causes it. There are many theories out there.
My second daughter had it. Luckly my first and third did not.
At about 8 weeks of age , my sweet little bundle of joy would explode into an hysterical crying machine at 6pm and cry until 11pm where she would pass out from exhaustion. The only thing that would sometimes sooth her would be the swing. Everything else would just agravate her all the more.
I learned very quickly to start my dinner at 4pm so that my family would have their meal before 6. From 6-11 I had my hands full. I would walk the house with her in my arms.
At 12 weeks of age the colic started to lessen. The crying would start at 8pm rather then 6pm, and go to 11. This continued until one night she didnt cry at all.
To make a long story short, what you are experiencing is normal. A phase in an infants life. You and your little guy will get through it. :) Take Care. Heidi
Ah, yes. The "witching hour(s)." For my daughter it was from 4-8 every night. I promise they grow out of this. This stage is when I highly recommend "The Happiest Baby on the Block."
Jen
This may not be the problem but i had the same thing happen to me. My son was breast fed, found out after about a week that it was colic, from tomatoes and cucumbers i was eating. Is his stools regular. It should be at least 2 to 3 times but if being breast fed should be still after every feeding or so. Hope this helps good luck
I want to second the suggestion of The Happiest Baby On The Block by Dr. Harvey Karp. It's great! If you can't get to it quickly then start by swaddling him. Get the book and it'll teach you the right way so the baby won't unwrap himself. He reccomends the 5 S's
Sucking (nursing or pacifier)
Swaddling
Swinging or rocking
Side or Stomach laying (not alone and all night, just while your holding him and trying to calm him)
and Shhhhing
Get the book and it tells much more in depth but I wanted to put that down so you can start with the 5 S's before you get the book in case as I susspect as a first time mommy it might take you a while to get to the book store. Also if you try to swaddle him and he doesn't like it, keep trying. Most of the time it's the getting wrapped that the babies hate and fight. Once they are wrapped they calm right down and love it. My baby cried every time I wrapped him in the begining but once he was actually bundled he was happy so don't stop because he's fussing, and don't worry that your wrapping him too tight. The tighter the better, you won't hurt him by wrapping REALLY snuggly, that's what he needs. Good luck!
