I am a new mother of a 4 month old. Lately, it seems like she is always fussy. We feed her, change her, hold her, play with her, etc. But it seems like nothing works. Until we put a nuk in her mouth or feed her again, even though she ate not too long before. Any suggestions?
Maybe she's having gas issues. Try giving her a couple drops of Mylacon on the inside of her cheek (then blow quickly in her face, that will cause her to swallow). When my 1st son was little we swore by those things!
Try starting her on rice cereal. It sounds like she is hungry. Most babies are ready to start on cereal before the "6 month rule". My daughter started on cereal somewhere in her 4th month because I couldn't keep her satisfied with just breastmilk & formula. Most of my friends babies also started about that time.
Just mix a very runny combination of the cereal and either breastmilk or formula and start with just giving her a little at a time.
My son is 4.5 months old and is just like the other woman described her 4.5 month old is too. Mine went from being the best baby (we have had three) to fussy much of the time. We do see teeth, so thought that might be what it is. He likes to be with me all of a sudden, so we too have been using a sling so I can get something done. I just really wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Congrats on your new little girl!
Could she be picking up on your anxiety?
Is she spitting up? Perhaps she could have acid reflux? My son was spitty and fussy until we got him on some meds. Good Luck!
I am a mom to a 4.5 mo old. We've kind of been experiencing the same thing. He is generally a happy baby but a couple weeks ago he just seemed fussy throughout the day but more so in the evening. He was putting everything in his mouth and drooling more so I am assuming that he has teeth moving. He had a couple nights that he started waking every 1-2 hours and nothing calmed him other than a couple minutes of nursing. I think he just need the pressure on his mouth since he calmed down quickly and then wouldn't continue to eat. I gave him some baby tylenol a few times when he really seemed uncomfortable and it helped. This lasted for about a week...now he is still drooling and chewing on everything, but not fussy. I don't see any teeth ready to push through the surface, but I believe teething can be a long and painful process and starts as early as birth for some kids. Good Luck and hang in there.
Our daughter who recently turned 3 was extremely fussy as a baby. She had acid reflux and needed a milk-free formula. We switched to Alimentum and within 24 hours it was like a different child. Good Luck!
try mylecon...it's for gas pains
also she may be uncomfortable in clothes or diaper
she could be bored with surrounds, try a change of scene
a swing worked for me
good luck
If you are breastfeeding, and are drinking too much caffeine (Mt. Dew, tea, coffee, whatever) the caffeine can upset baby's tummy.
Also, she might be starting to teethe. My son also started to get fussy around the same age. Their teeth begin growing 3-4 months before they actually emerge from the gum (which is probably why your sweetie feels better with something in her mouth--the pressure helps with the discomfort). I just let my son have his nuk, since that was the only thing that he could manage (he couldn't coordinate a chew toy, for example to soothe himself another way).
It is possible she is needing a bigger bottle/ more to drink at each feeding. Also do you let her cry at all or do you pick her up immediately? I have been doing child care for 12 years and I usually can tell when a baby is always picked up at the first cry. Babies sometimes just need to cry and as long as you have taken care of all the needs, fed and changed and checked for any other possible physical causes, then give yourself a break and let her strengthen her lungs by vocalizing for a while.
4 months seems to be a tough time for a lot of babies. They are really "waking up" to the world and often have a tough time being put down or staying asleep when you put them down. Have you tried wearing her in a sling? A lot of babes calm down when they are close to their parents. Try a couple of different kinds as some babies like to be snuggled close and others like to be able to look out a bit more. She may also be going through a growth spurt or even starting to teeth. Keep trying different things and going with whatever calms her. You can't spoil a baby and she will quickly outgrow this phase, I promise!
Feel free to email me back if you want more suggestions on slings!
B.
Mom to two wonderful kiddos
try the gas drops. My son went through this, and he would eat ALOT, only tofigure out he had a tummy ache from gas, not hunger. Once we started gas drops his eating evened out and he was happier.
If she's hungry, she's hungry. Ignore the clock when it comes to feeding your infant. Their needs change often and they know when they need to eat.
I haven't read the other posts but I'm sure many people have suggested starting cereal. I would hold off until 5 or 6 months because 4 month old don't really have enough tongue control to take food from a spoon. Putting cereal in the bottle can cause many issues such as choking, and over eating.
Sounds like a growth spurt or maybe teething. Is it an all day fussiness or only certain times? I went through this as well, but it was only early evening. They would eat and eat and eat, then finally be done. I think it's normal to cluster-feed during the evening at this age. Good luck!
My daughter sometimes had a bellyache after eating and she didn't burp very often. Try rubbing her belly and talking softly to her. That worked most of the time.
Hi S.,
I used to hold my babies, pat them on the back, and make the shh, shh, shh, sound. That always worked. Maybe she is trying to work out a big gas bubble.
Good luck!
S.
Could be a growth spurt so she is more hungry then usual. We also switched to the similac in the orange bottle until our son was 6mo-made a huge difference.
good luck!
S., I went through the same with my two girls at 4 months. There body's are going through the biggest change in there first year of life. It is most likely just a growth spurt that can last 3 days to 2 weeks. My 2nd daughter that is now 5 months seems to still have some adjustment issue's but for the most part seems to be getting back on track to a somewhat calmer stage. Babies are so fun enjoy the little one while you can.
Good luck.
Alot of babys cant tell the difference of hunger and tummy pains. Think if she has pooped that day, maybe shes constipated. It happens alot with babies. I know I have 5 kids. I use to fold my kids legs crossed and press them to there tummy and I would hold them like that with there back against my chest. I would also put warm water in there bottle and melt a peppermint in the water. It works to call an upset tummy, like antacids do for us adults. Also try just rubbing baby lotion on her tummy. I hope this is helpful.. Best of luck
2 thoughts--1: possibly early teething
2: At this age, both of my girls would get a bit fussy with no apparent "need" and no signs of reflux, etc. BUT, if we just put them on the ground on their blanket to stretch/kick around with a rattle or other appropriate toy in their hand, they would be happy as clams. I finally had to tell the grandmas this b/c they of course always want to hold them at this age. Sometimes they just need to stretch and kick for a few minutes.
