Ah, 5 Month Old Help

Just a quick note on the soothing thing. You may want to try baby massage. I did it with both my kids every night to calm them before bed and after baths (to work in some lotion).

Dim lights, soft music and some lotion works for babies and adults! You can go online for some quick pointers. It just takes about 5min and there is a calmness and connection there. It also helps them developmentally!

Good luck! You guys will be just fine!

Hi, Selena,
My nephew went through the same thing, and his mom added two or three tablespoons of water to the solids to make them less thick. She says that loosened the stool a little. Don't worry, lots of babies go through the constipation when solids are introduced. Their digestive systems have a lot of adjusting to go through.

And baby orajel is very temporary. Give baby Tylenol for his pain.

Hope this helps!

As the other moms have said, changes in poop consistency (and constipation) are normal when you introduce solids. Up the fluid, and try to give fruits. I'm not a huge fan of juice, but it will help if they are constipated. A warm bath does too, but sometimes that is a HUGE mess. :-)

If you continue to feel "like a downer" I want you to call your peditrician or your OB and ask for a Postpartum Depression screening. PPD can hit anytime in the first year, and can really make things tough. As a nursing student, I don't have to tell you that it is a serious condition, and just happens to some people. So if you aren't feeling better in a day or two, check in with a doctor.

Good luck, sweetie.

my kids HATED baby orajel, and if it's anything like the adult version, it probably doesn't work (never did for me!). try Hylands teething tablets... they were a life saver for me!!!! you can find them in the baby section of drugstores, and walmart and target have them too. My girls also liked teething pacifiers... i've seen those at CVS and Walmart.

what kind of juice are you using? I had the best luck with Gerber's pear juice, i don't know why. My daughter's BM's were also very hard after she started on cereal.

Don't be so hard on yourself!

Hi S., Relax, the more "real" food your baby eats the more his poo will be like normal grown-up poo. You may also notice than he has only one or two stinky diapers a day...again totally normal.
Go ahead and feed him every day. Ceral mixed with formula or a fruit in the morning, veggies for either lunch or dinner or even both. Don't worry if he doesn't seem to like babyfood meats (a lot of babies don't like the babyfood meats frankly I think it's because they have a grainy texture and taste ucky!) he will learn to eat meats as he gets older. Keep track of what he likes, and when you start a new veggie or fruit (always start with the veggies because fruits give babies the start of their own personal sweet tooth.). Even if it seem like he doesn't like a new food offer it to him over and over sometimes it takes a few tries! Wait a few days after each new food to see if there is any allergic reaction (this includes cerals). If you don't already have it, buy the book "What to Expect the First Year" it is a great guide/reference book I used it with all three of my girls and still refer back to it with the little ones I babysit.
A simple help with teething is a clean wash cloth soaked it cold water (or even frozen). Just let him chew on it...the cold and the chewing will sooth his mouth.
I'm sure your son loves you. Babies react differently to different people & since you seem to live at home with your Dad he probably sees your Dad as his Daddy right now. I know it's hard. You need to talk to your Dad about this and explain how you feel. That you feel like a downer because you can't seem to comfort your own son... he should back off and let you work through this with your son. But this will most likely change when you and your son have your own home and he is totally dependant on just you. But don't rush out the door of your home until your ready because of that. When my girls were babies I couldn't put them to bed...I worked mostly nights and they had such a good routine with my hubby that on my nights off I was a huge distraction! Talk about feeling like a looser! I couldn't put my own babies to bed! LOL that changed as they got bigger and we are a totally close family now that they are teens...and I am glad that they had that special bond with their Daddy even though there were many nights when I cried. Sometimes we just have to realize that we can't be their entire world and that its great that they have other amazing adults that love them and that they love. The most important thing is not how we feel as Moms, but what our children are getting/doing. And the more love they get and give the better people they will become. It's not what they have in life that makes the difference it's WHO they have. That's a hard lesson to learn and accept, but once you do you will be happier and so will all the people around you. You're young...ask questions, talk to people, don't be afraid to be afraid!! Also try journaling to purge your feelings. Best wishes.

I am a first time mom too. I had the same concerns. I have tried water and juice and both seem to work. I think the pear juice works the best. If you have started fruits - pears will also help. I really water down the juice, because sometimes my little one is fussy about plain water. I also started the juice in a sippy cup rather than a bottle. He likes that and thinks it is a treat to play and hold the cup. Also, try to be consistant with his feedings that will help him be "regular".

Hope that helps. You're gonna be an awesome mom. Keep focused on your future and use your support network. It takes a village to raise a child - regardless of how old you are.

S.,
You are a 'PERFECT MOMMY" you are in'TOUCH' with babies NEEDS/ODDITY'S/CRY's/GRANDPA etc . you 'BONDED with "EON' a gift ..... and you are ONLY 18 YEARS OLD ... Sweety...YOUR SON LOVES YOU ... GRANDPA IS SIMPLY hogg'n him all up !!!!!!!![ grandparents are quilty of this 100%]
Do you have any 'YOUNG' parent friends???? can you take Adreon [ cool name] to a park in a stroller, for a walk in neighborhood, etc.. stay connected w/ mamma source and younger mommy's [ for you] ..your baby's grandparent support is 100% safe , delightful , henceforth, you are mommy ... they will acidently takeover your "ROLE' .all by accident [ and do things the old way]
your baby is fine . new foods will disrupt baby ,if he has a re action [ hives, constipated , stomach ache, etc] , do not feed him that food again for a few months . [ 2 months] if it happens again .... ck the food off his list .
put baby on floor for tummy time ..!!!! he sounds like an eager guy .. let him CRAWL ... 6 months !
any blanket outdoors on the grass / indoors etc .. play with him ...let him roll all over you,put him in the kiddie pool too ... warm water ... he will giggle all over mommy !!!!! HE KNOWS MOMMY .....
good luck w/ school ... MORE OF A REASON TO PLAY W/BABY NOW before AUGUST school work kicks in !
good for you .
a grammy

S.,
It is hard being a mom at 18 - I know this - I was too. It is great that you have your dad to support you.
constipation can be caused by not getting a variety of food. You do need to be constistant in feeding you child about the same amount every day. Give him the same amount of baby food - every day. this may solve his problem.
As far as your baby crying and not being able to comfort him - try taking him for a walk when that happens. Sometimes babies get colic - nothing can be done to provent it. (I breastfed my baby and noticed certain this I ate gave her pain) If it could be this, try a warm towel on his belly (from the dryer)
Don't be afraid to go to your neighbors. they will understand - this is normal for all first time moms. (I was actually in worse shape with my 2nd child - she came along 13 years later and to this day I am still over protective of her - she will be 17 shortly)
Don't be afraid - your child will love you regardless. Every child goes thru stages of clinging to one person or another. my daughters at 30 and 16 still do it! Relax - your baby knows you feel inadequiate, and picks up on it. you will be fine.It all works out.

Hang in there S.. We all have feelings of frustration, etc. with our little ones. There are many times I can't comfort my little girl and it breaks my heart, but it is comforting to baby to just know you are there with him. Every baby is comforted in a different way, so as you get to know your son better you will learn what works with him (and as soon as you think you have it figured out, it will change!) Enjoy this time with your son- it passes too quickly and they grow up too fast!

As far as the poop goes- the same thing happened to my daughter. Solids will change their poop consistency, but my poor little girl would struggle so hard when she was pooping. Some foods are more constipating than others while some foods help baby to poop. Rice cereal and bananas tend to be constipating while prunes, pears, pineapple (think the "p" fruits) help make it easier to poop. I alternate what types of fruit my daughter gets based on her poop. Also, oatmeal or barley cereal have more fiber than rice cereal and will help with the poop issue.

Good luck to you! I am a nurse, so I applaud you for going back to nursing school.

When I started feeding my daughter, who is now 9 months old, baby food, her poops were hard too....she got soo constipated. I had to give her a suppository for a few days to loosen them up.....if his stools get hard, feed him baby oatmeal or rice cereal mixed with peaches and 100% applejuice for one of his "tablefood" meals once a day....the juice and the peaches (you can use prunes too) help soften the poop! Also, I would give him baby food everyday...that could be part of the problem. His system has to get used to it, and not giving it everyday could be the cause of his pooping issue :)
Also....my daughter SCREAMS for me. If my mom or her other grandma has her, she is completely fine for them, will play by herself, etc....but as soon as she sees me she starts crying. It's a seperation anxiety thing. We carried them for 9 months, and even our smell or our voice can set them off. Other people don't have the same problem b/c they aren't as "connected" to the babies as we are. He'll grow out of it, I promise!! Teething is a huge part of why he acts so cranky....my pediatrician also recommended a little baby tylenol when it seems like the pain gets really bad.

Don't get down on yourself....I'm a single mom too and we do the best we can. It sounds like you are an amazing mom and doing all the right things for your son...it sounds cliche but my GG always said "This too shall pass". I hope this helps!!!!

We would mixed our children's cereal with applesauce. That seemed to help. Juice could be a culpret in the hard stool. If it is apple juice especially. My DR said applesauce is fine, but the juice has alot of sugar, and can cause conspation. My children are 5 & 2. I mixed the juice and water for them in the beginning, and gradually switched it to just water. Now both perfer water or Milk. My DR made it a point to let me know that babies don't really need juice. Also, it could just be a reaction to starting solids, babies bodies need time to identify what is going on in their bodies. Good luck. And never be afraid to ask for help. I was 29 before I had my first child, I babysat, and took care of quite a few children. But when I had my own, it is a whole different story.

Also, if you are tense when picking up your child, he make react in crying. Just keep attempting to hold your baby, he will grow so quickly, you can never hold him too much.

A baby's poop changes like the weather. Their little system just needs to get use to the foods you are giving him. My son has had many poop issues over the past two years. Being a new mom, you will worry ALL the time and about EVERYTHING. I know that I did. It sounds like you are a great mom and are doing everything you can to be the best mom you can be! Don't forget, you are new at this and you'll learn as you go. Your dad already went through the motions with raising a baby, so he knows what to do. Your son loves you more than imaginable. Your insecurities are just getting the best of you. There were times my son would cry for HOURS and all I could think was, "I don't know what to do. Nothing I do makes him happy". You'll get through it and the wonderful moments will occur- A year from now you'll be waking up to the beautiful voice of your son calling...."Mama!" Time will fly...

Hi.first of all the weird poop change is actually normal when they transition in to foods. Are you grouping like foods together and trying only one type for three days to see how he reacts. This helps you know how his digestive system reacts to certain types of food. If one type is bothering him change to another after the three days . The way I did it was all of the orange foods then all the greens etc. Also if you think he's constipated slightly warm pear juice works everytime, my second son got constipated after every food switch. Also the first thing about your son responding to your dad instead of you is not that he does not like you it sounds more like that he is picking up on your stress and tension. When you pick him up try your best to take a deep breathe first and relax your body if not your mind and he'll relax with you.it will get easier. These are just tips to give you a hand best thing is trust your instincts. Good luck.

You are doing a great job! Babies latch onto different people for different (unknown) reasons. My oldest son latched on to me & won't let my husband do anything for him when he is upset. It was very upsetting to my hubby in the beginning, but now he is just glad one of us can console him. My youngest doesn't seem to care who is rocking him as long as he is being rocked. Also, for some unknown reason both my boys can usually be comforted by my father as well. There must be some grandfather/grandson bond. I know its hard, but try not to take it personally. He will grow out of it eventually.
As for the food & poop. Your son's poop will be getting firmer as he eats more food. Small pebble like poop that is hard (you try to flatten it in the diaper & you can't) is not good. However, if it is just firm (looks hard but is squishable) then that is okay. It is also ok for him to occassionally be constipated. His digestive system is trying to develop. If he is constipated frequently (multiple times a week) then you need to look at his diet. I would try feeding him the same food 3 days in a row, then do the next food for 3 days & see if any one food is causing it. Also, I would not give cereal more than once a day. Another simple solution could be to feed him one less solid meal a day. If you are doing 3 meals a day, go back to two for a while. If you are doing 2, go back to one.
If the juice is necessary to keep him from being constipated, then continue it. If however, that is not necessary, then I would recommend stopping it. Juice (even the best juices) have lots of calories & sugar. The sugar can cause cavities in his teeth (once he gets them). And if he is in the habit of having juice every day it will be hard to stop later. He will get calories from the juice which will make him less hungry & he will eat less solid food. But most of his nutrients will come from the solid food. Again, if the juice is necessary for some reason; then continue to do it.
You are doing a great job. We all struggle with teething & feeding & everything the first time around. Good luck.

Poop is supposed to get a little bit harder when you start giving solid foods. It becomes like an adults, it's not supposed to be too hard or too soft. Try giving him more juice and water and see if that loosens it up a little bit. My son is 3 1/2 and i still give him 1/2 juice and 1/2 water. You could also try to give him straight juice if you feel he's constipated. If he's going every day, then he may not be. You need to try and be more consistent with the baby food. Also, the apple sauce is a good food for pooping babies. You don't say if you had him on formula or breast milk. Either way, that will also bring a change to his poop

Now if Dad is the primary care giver while you're going to school, of course he's going to want your dad more, that doesn't mean he hates you. You're going to have down days, but you have a great support system in place so lean on them if yoiu need to.

I'm the mother of an 18 month old boy. I do know how you feel. He is my first child, who before him I had never changed a diaper!! Raising a child is different for everyone but we can all relate as mothers in one way or another. When I was introducing my son to stage two foods he experienced a change in bowel movements too. I'm not a pediatrician but I think that's pretty normal. I wouldn't be too concerned unless he seems to be really straining to use the bathroom or if he isn't passing regular bowel movements. With that said, I have and still do feel at times that I'm not my sons favorite person. In fact, I was telling a friend of mine about that this weekend. I think it's perfectly natural for a mother to feel that way at times. I don't know about your situation, but I stay at home with my son. Sometimes I think he gets bored with me and he probably does.(lol) For instance, if someone other than myself tells him no or corrects him, he seeks me out and smacks me!! Then of course, I'm the bad guy who puts him in time out. This is a battle that I fight every day. Believe me it wears on me to be the one that he is always upset with. I've talked to his pediatrician as well as friends and family and have been told that unfortunetly this is normal. My advice is to try and put those feelings aside and try not to take things so personal. It can be difficult certainly but most of the time those feelings are unfounded. Good luck to you and congratulations on being a mother!!

S.,
I am not totally sure what is going on with his poop but I can tell you that I enjoy reading your posts. I love how much you love your little man and how easy it is for you to ask other moms questions. You seem like such a great mom. With that said, I hope you understand that NO ONE gets a book telling us what the hell is going on with our kids poop...I swear that I ask at least 2 poop questions at the doctors each month. You are normal. It doesnt make a difference if you are 18 or 30. My son was on a laxative for 6 months b/c when he pooped...he bled...the poop was so hard it made his heiny bleed.

I too had my first son when I was 18. I felt alone because none of my friends had kids (thank goodness right!!). I was terrified most of the time. I just knew I was messing up and everyone would say "I told you so...we knew you would be a terrible mom". Turns out, I am a darn good one. Even though my son is 13 now and I have 2 more, 3 and 1) I have learned that you must trust yourself first. As for your son loving his grandfather..it isnt personal. He thinks you are wonderful but grandpa is just silly.

I wish you luck! Keep up the great work!

A.

Hi S.!

I agree with Elizabeth F. Please take care of yourself and see your doctor if you are really feeling down. For the first entire year after giving birth to your baby moms are at risk for depression. Also, Your baby LOVES you! No doubt about that. You may just need to take a deep breath and relax before trying to comfort him but he needs his mama and just keep trying. At his age it can be hard to understand what he wants and even to connect with him because they cry to communicate everything to you. It's also hard to relax with him screaming in your ear, I know, but try to visualize something that relaxes you while you are holding him. Like a calm lake at sunrise.

I am a mom of 2 and, though I had my kids later in life, it still is challenging. I really admire you for taking care of your son and hanging in there. Don't be afraid to ask people for help. You'll find out that good people will enjoying helping you, if only you ask.

Hugs,
L.

Hey S.,

I have a few ideas for you, not sure if they fit the bill exactly but I'll try anyway! You mentioned that the doctor said to go ahead with solids - is it rice cereal that you started because if so, the cereal could be constipating him a bit. It takes some time for their belly to adjust to the new foods anyway. If you have started any other fruits/veggies, just try to give a little more of the fruit or veggies and less cereal and that may help. ou'll probably want to get into a more set routine with the food, give him food everyday at the same time, it will help his digestive tract adjust.
But, as one other Mom did say, baby poop is a mystery to me too, it changes all the time for my little man.

I think sometimes all of us Mom's feel like our kids hate us. I am suspecting that now that school is out, you are home more than you were when school was in session. Your little man has probably developed a very good bond with his grandfather and is just used to grandpop. Just be patient, soothe him when he needs it, but also allow and enjoy his bond with granpop too! My kids all LOVE their grandparents and if the grandparents are present the kids run to them for EVERYTHING. My baby does it too. I don't think you have to worry about your baby hating you. As long as you love him, he will instinctively know it.

Just continue to your best, that's all ANY of us can do for our children. Keep up the good work!

My son went through the same thing when he was a baby and to this day his bowl movements aren't constant. I'd mention something to the pediatrician because they might be able to recommend something to help with his bowls. I've known people who had to give their babies suppositories, but I'm not sure at which age. I'd give my son fruits and other healthy foods and drinks that would help him go, but nothing really seemed to work, even prune juice. It's not that you don't comfort your son or that he doesn't love you, sometime they find a different comfort in other people. I know I couldn't always comfort my son. It's a typical thing for babies to do. And if he is having bowl troubles or teething this can increase the hardness of comforting him. I found that if I would rub my son's belly it would help. I hope you find comfort in that other people have gone through this and I wish you the best.

You're doing fine. And you have a whole lot going on, between finishing school, starting college and nursing school, and raising your son. I am SO glad you are gutsy enough to keep going with your life. That is the very best gift you can give him -- a mom who keeps on going, keeps on growing, and is proud of her accomplishments. You are a great example. So keep it up !

That said, I never had much luck with orajel or any of the gum numbing stuff -- my kids cried anyway when they were teething. (Sorry to not send out more hopeful news. It's just something to live through --although those teething toys that you can freeze and then let them knaw on -- they liked those a whole lot !)

And comfort ? I suspect your son is responding to his Grandpa's calm and strength. There is something about those deeper male tones that resonate and are soothing (as long as the male in question is being soothing). And Grandpa has been through it all before and he isn't stressing over it. So Grandpa is calm. And that calm simply oozes into his body language, his vocal tones, etc.

Meanwhile, (I'm assuming here)in contrast, you SO want to be able to solve the problem, and you may even get tense when you can't. Even if you don't think you are exuding tension, your son can feel it, and he responds by staying tensed up.

I had my 1st two in my 20's, and I had a really hard time staying calm when the first one was all wound up. I thought I should be able to "fix it", and when I couldn't I'd want to scream back at her.

I had two more kids in my 30's, 10 years after the first two came along -- and my perspective was so different. For one, my life was more settled, so it was easier to give things up to spend time with babies, plus, I had teens in the house, so I also could leave the babies with Dad and do fun teenager stuff with the big kids. It was different. But I also knew by then, by experience, (not just 'head' knowledge) that those days of tears and frustrations don't last all that long. It seems like forever with child #1, because it is all you know of parenting. But within a few months, he'll be walking, in 12, he'll begin talking, and he won't need to cry so much, because he'll have words :-) Meanwhile, don't feel you have to fix everything. Know in your heart that this won't last forever, and simply be there, and hold your son while he cries. I used to sing songs, cuz I figured no one would hear them but the crying baby, and that's only if she stopped crying long enough to listen. If I concentrated on the song, and held and bounced my child, to the rhythm, thenI wasn't concentrating on getting frustrated. We were just singing an odd duet. I don't know if it helped the baby any, but it definately helped my outlook. :-)

You've got so many good replies, I didn't really need to reply as well, but I couldn't help myself, as your message really spoke to me. I think you've got enough on the poop, so I'll concentrate on how you are feeling.

I was 32 before I had my son, and because I developed health problems related to the pregnancy, I sometimes worry that I don't have enough energy and think maybe I shouldn't have waited so long to have kids!! So, I guess the moral of this story is that no matter what we do, we can't really win! There are so many different benefits to being young, and there are obviously a lot of challenges.

There unfortunately seems to be a bit of a stigma about really young mums, but I think its often out of fear or ignorance. Those people who judge us, no matter what they judge us for (not being good looking or successful or religious or whatever enough) are just reacting to the pressures of their own lives. Its not their fault that they don't understand people who are different, but that's just it - they don't get it, and they may never. I know its really hard, but know that they are not the law! They don't get to decide what you do with your life or how you feel about yourself, your son, your wonderful family and the world - you do!

The fact that you aren't super confident with your baby is probably what he's sometimes reacting to. I think most mums have been through similar times, wondering what's going on and so you are not alone in this, nor do these feelings necessarily mean that you are depressed! (although its not the end of the world if you do feel as though you might be truly depressed, as there is excellent help available now, and its nothing to be ashamed of)

Might I suggest that you try this simple imagery technique a few times to see what happens? Just before you bend down to get him, think about the most lovely moment you've spent with him recently, or the cutest photo of him, or just something that you adore about him and you'll probably feel a smile coming to your lips, and the warmth spreading through your heart. It might be good to practice this a few times when he isn't crying or when you aren't around your son. Once you've got the hang of tapping into your loving feelings, give it a try when he's crying sometime. Ask your Dad to let you try and comfort him. With this smile on your face and in your heart, the love that comes from you will encompass him and he will almost definitely respond!

You've probably already realized this yourself - children and babies are incredibly sensitive to our moods - I have a tendency to be stressed, and my son picks it up in an instant, and has trouble getting to sleep when I feel stressed. I've been working on using the same technique when I'm trying to put him to sleep etc., and its really helping.

Good luck, and know you've got all the support of all of these people on this site who know you will get through this, and have a wonderful relationship with your son. He's so lucky to have a good relationship with your dad as well!!!

Feel free to send me a message if you'd like any further info on all of this.

Namaste,
A.

P.S. You haven't mentioned your mom, do let me know if you'd like to email any more about this or anything.

S.,
I think most moms (regardless of their age) feel as you do. I was 39 when I had my son and I felt the same way sometimes!
Perhaps the reason your baby is responding more positively to your dad is because he is more confident and less stressed when Adreon cries. He has more experience with babies--even though YOU are THIS particular babies' mom. :-) You're lucky to have great support to help you out. It's OK to let your dad help. Try to remain calm when the baby is upset. I think they pick up on stress levels, no matter their age.
Try the "sway", the rock side to side, the "swing left to right", try making low "shush shush shush" sounds, walk with him, talk to him, pointing out things in the house: a mirror, a lamp, a plant, etc. It might distract him enough to calm him down. There is no O. thing that works for every bay. You will try out different things and find out what works with YOUR baby!
As for the juice, what I was always told is to try pear juice. Or white grape juice. But the pear always worked best for me. Dilute it half with water, like you are. Also, not sure the foods he's eating, but certain foods can be constipating: bananas, even applesauce.....is there a pattern there?
Never feel stupid for asking questions and never feel like an idiot for calling the nurse at your pediatrician's office! That's why they're there! Do you have "What to Expect The First Year"? An excellent book that will really help you out if you don't have it already.
Try the Hyland's teething tablets. For the Baby Orajel to work, you have to get it EXACTLY ( a tiny bit) on the spot that's hurting him and that's about impossible. It can also numb their throat if you use too much and they can choke/gag/etc.
Try wetting, folding and freezing a few baby washcloths and pop them in the freezer in a ziplock bag. Let him chew on those, it will help his gums.
Good luck, Sweetie, you're NOT a downer. You're doing an awesome job as a new, young mom. Remember, motherhood is a learned thing--over time--it's not automatic knowledge as soon as the baby is born and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar! Hang tough kiddo!

My heart goes out to you.

First, the BMs....This is normal. Every child goes through this. Giving juice to your child is good. However, because every child is different, the juice you are using may not be enough. You could try increasing the amount of juice you give him. Or, try switching to a different kind of juice. The more fibrous the juice the better. My youngest child wouldn't respond to anything other than plum juice. I didn't use the baby juices, they never worked for any of me kids. I just used regular juices and experimented with the amount until I found the right kind of juice and the correct amount.

Second, you are not a downer. Many mothers go through periods were is seems that their child will just cry and cry. It can seem that you can't do anything right. Then, when someone else comes along and can instantly calm him down, it makes you feel even worse. First and foremost, you need to relax. Don't take it personally. Your baby can sense your frustration and will act on that. Your child does not hate you. This is the period of unconditional love. Find something to help you relax. If you can, take quick naps whenever your child is sleeping. Any of the "housework" can wait. You are of no use to your child if you are too exhausted. You need to take care of yourself so that you are refreshed to take care of your child.

A baby cries when they need or want something. The checklist I used is first to check the diaper. Then I would check to see if my child was hungry. Then I would check for a fever. If there is no fever but the cry sounds like he might be in pain, it could be a headache and giving a little dose of Tylenol might help. Keep in mind when trying to figure out why your child is crying that sometimes babies just want to be comforted. Even though he cries when you hold him, keep holding him. Sing or hum a song, tell him a story....hearing your calm, relaxed voice will eventually calm him down. Turn the TV on if you have to for some noise. You never know what will help.

Don't put yourself down! It is apparent you care greatly for your little one! I think we've all felt like we weren't the one our little ones liked the most...I feel that way everytime my kids see my mother-in-law. But then, after a few days they only want me again, so sometimes they just need someone else's touch. He may just like the sound of a man's voice and since he feels safe with your dad...it works. My daughter always calmed when my husband spoke to her, but when they are hurt they only want me! We may not be able to sooth every upset moment but we have our times too. When my daughter was little, I could have sworn she hated me, but she didn't. She's now 4 and she tells everyone that we are best friends. We fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but she loves me and I love her...we are just either too much alike or too different, I still haven't decided which, hehe! Either way, don't beat yourself up...you are his mom and he knows it. It sounds to me like you are doing a great job. I know it is hard, but just don't take it personally, both my kids have their moments that I can't do anything with them, but in the end they always come back to me! Take care of yourself and that little one and stop putting yourself down!
Oh, sorry I forgot to give my thoughts on the poop issue. My son who is now 8 months old also has had trouble adjusting to real food rather than formula. My mom has always told me to give the kids about a teaspoon to a tablespoon of dark Karo syrup or the generic dark corn syrup. It always helps, however since my sons tummy is a little more sensitive I use the light corn syrup for him. My daughter has never had trouble so I use the dark for her. They both seem to do the job, I hope this helps.

Im sorry youre having a rough time, have you tried feeding him prunes for constipation? If youre desperate you can try to take a rectal temperature with loads of vasaline to help too. My son started teething early too and it took a long time before we saw any teeth. I found that the best teether was a washcloth folded up with water on one corner and stuck it in the freezer for alittle while. I think every new mom feels inadequate from time to time, hang in there. As for your dad being able to comfort him- thats probably just experience and confidence- which youll have soon ;)
Feel free to ask me any qs that youd be embarrassed to ask in public ;)

try baby foods:
pears, prunes, plums, oatmeal are less constipating
apples, bananas, rice cereal are constipating

see if that helps, if it doesnt you may need to call your pediatritan and get supositories to help him.

I just wanted to add my 2 cents. My son is almost 2 yrs old and since he was a baby he's always had mushy poop some days and hard poop other days. As long as he is pooping, I don't think it matters. My son would sometimes go for a day or two and not poop. But prunes usually help.

And just remember that your son only has one mommy and he loves you very much. I think every mom has insecurities about whether or not we are doing a good job. But just do your best. AND DON'T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF! :)

Boy does your question take me back years! I remember being a new mom and being insecure about so many things. The poops were a concern I am sure. First of all, I hope everyone has told you that you aren't doing anything wrong. You sound like a wonderful person and I am happy to hear that you care so much about your baby. These things you are worried about every new mom feels to some degree or another. I was 31 years old when I had my first baby and I sometimes thought he didn't like me either! And I was devastated. I loved him so much and it felt like rejection even though I knew it was silly to think he didn't like me. But when you are new at something you feel very sensitive. I want you to know that things like the poops and tantrums and everything are normal. Just try adjusting the diet with extra water and juices and back off if it gets too loose. Keep in contact with your pediatrician and get regular well checks. If he is gaining weight appropriately and doesn't seem unwell you're probably doing okay. Trust your gut on things. Check for an elevated temperature if you think he is sick, etc. I am sure you will be fine and so will he. The most important ingredient is LOVE unconditionally. Keep upthe good work and remember that he is your most important job. By the way, good luck going to college to get your BSN. I happen to be a nurse for 30 years now and it has been a good and reliable profession. It has let me be flexible with working when I could during the years my kids were little. Even now as they are older (still teenagers) I adjust my hours appropriately. I hope it works for you too. Just don't give up!