My 3 month old had a stomach virus this week. It was awful. We ended up having to take her to the ER. I didn't even know babies could get stomach viruses this young. Since then (about the last 3 days), she has been so fussy, which is very out-of-character for her. She cries uncontrollably for no apparent reason. She is in good spirits, smiling and playing one minute, and the next bursts into tears and cries so hard she's shrieking. She seems hungry, but won't nurse or take a bottle for very long before she starts crying. And sometimes just trying to latch on to nurse sends her into hysterics. I feel really helpless and I don't know what to do to help comfort her and make her feel better. I also worry that it could be signs of something more serious. Its so hard sometimes I burst into tears (at which time my sweet husband reminds me that this won't make anything better)! Is there any advice for us? We're first-time parents and kinda at a loss at what to do to soothe our sweet girl.
Thanks,
Emma Kate's Mommy
Thank you so much for all of your help and advice. I really think that her tummy was just not recovered yet from her virus. Although, she has always struggled with gas, and although we use Mylicon Drops, I've gotten a lot of great ideas to help with the gas issues. And I'm going to ask the doctor about the possibility of reflux. I'm pretty sure that it's not cholic, because she's never been a fussy baby. The fussiness really just started the day after our all-night visit to the hospital and her awful bout of vommitting. Thats why I think it was just effects of that. Anyway, it's so great to be able to hear from other moms. As a young mom, I really appreciate all your help!
I didn't see this when I scanned through the replies, so I apologize if it's a repeat :)
Do try the "knees to the tummy" exercises. They can help with tummy problems *so* much. I usually do them with my daughter (she's now 4 1/2 mos, but we've been doing them for a while!) every morning and evening, probably 10-15 reps.
I second, the DVD "Happiest Baby on the Block", it gives very helpful soothing techniques.
Also, as far as not being able to latch on or take a bottle, that could be indicitave of an ear ache/infection. It hurts to suck when they have an ear ache.
The crying while eating could be gas,GERD,or acid reflux. Try the infant gas medicine at your local CVS or Walgreens. It may help. Are you eating a lot of dairy? That could give her gas. I learned that the hard way. I was nursing him full time and when my son was about 3 mo I thought he had colic...it turned out it was just gas from me eating too much cheese and chocolate! If she brings her knees up to her chest and squeezes her fists while she's crying, its gas.
What worked best for me was to hold him in a nursing position and walk around the room while nursing him or giving him a bottle. I walked and talked. Not baby talk. Just regular talk, like your talking on the phone. Sometimes walking outside worked but its too awful out to do that right now. He also liked the Flutterbye cradle swing. He is too heavy for it now but he used to LOVE it. It was the best soother.
A pacifier is a good soother as is the TV. My son is almost 8 mos old and since he was about 3 months, he has LOVED watching The Animal. Its some horrible little movie with the guy from Deuce Bigalow that I put in the Dvd player out of desparation one day and it did the trick. He watches half of it EVERY morning. Its part of our routine. He never tires of it. I don't know why he likes it so much. In the late afternoons we watch his Baby Einstein and other educational videos but morning time is The Animal time. He goes crazy for it! I think I need to record it on tape and send to America's Funniest Videos because watching my little 7 mo old watch and interact with this movie is hilarious.
Oh another thing that soothed him when he was fussy was to put him in a sling while I walked around doing things. I used the Ultimate Baby Wrap from Babies R Us.
It sounds like it could be colic to me. You might want to try the gas drops especially right before you feed her and watch what you are eating.
Mylicon did not help Karson at all but little tummies gas drops helps wonderfully.
You might want to try gripe water which the sell at Kroger, you might want to do a google search on it so you can read up on it.
My friend has triplets and they all had colic at the same time and gripe water helped tremendously.
It might be teething as well, teething tablet helps Tremendously as well as colic tablets both from hylands and they are 100% all natural they sell those everywhere.
Good Luck and this too shall pass.
God Bless
M.
I know you are ALL tired! Nursing seems to be the only comfort for our son when he's sick and yes, with him, sometimes it's only for a minute or two and he may cry out, but it's the security and comfort he's looking for more than the milk itself. I have also put him in the car and driven around, which keeps him upright (easier on his tummy) and I may put in a book on tape or just listen to some easy music and he'll fall asleep. He's slept in his carseat from there :) She'll get through it and so will you and your hubby :)
Hi S.--two thoughts:
1. May want to consider if it is reflux...my lil' one ended up on Prevacid (Rx from the pediatrician) she just got off about two months ago
2. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp helped us SO MUCH when we had our first. We found the DVD on Blockbuster online (couldn't find it anywhere else). It tells you how to engage the baby's calming reflex:
**swaddling (our children were over 5 months when we stopped this
**side (after swaddling, put baby on side in your arms--either in front of you or the baby's back to your tummy)
**Ssshhhh--make this noise or a deep hum if baby is upset...be a little louder than the crying/whining
**swing
**sucking--nurse or pacifier
Our first child needed ALL 5 S's at times..once we got use to it, we could calm her very quickly. Our second was more difficult to learn, but these techniques did help.
Let me know if I need to clarify anything.
K.
Hi S.,
I have two kids 3 1/2 and 2 years, and trust me that it does get easier and the first year is the hardest to understand.
You are just starting the journey of the "what is wrong" with my baby question. It does take time to understand what the different cries and ques that your baby is telling you. From your description, it almost sounds as tho your baby may have some challenges with her mouth, possibly teething already or mouth sores, or a sore throat from the virus. She wants to eat but the discomfort is frustrating. I would encourage you to have your normal doctor take a look and also maybe have her suck on a wet/cold washcloth that does help too.
I also noticed that my son became cholic at about 6 weeks and it lasted until 15 weeks, constant crying and shrieking for uncertain reasons, nothing would comfort him other than to help him cry it out and teach him to soothe himself.
Best of luck.
~Tina
I would take her into the doc just to make sure it isn't something that she needs meds. for. Just to be on the safe side. If you don't want to take her in just call the ped. doc. and ask to talk to the nurse and tell her your concerns. I used to do it all the time when my daughter was a baby. It's hard when your a new mom. Sometime you just need a little advice and it's nice to get it from a professional.
Lonie
