Things getting worse instead of better

Daffodil · #1 July 27th, 2010, 07:14 PM

Ugh I hate how I always feel like I'm complaining on here... but Arielle had been screaming all evening all week....and I thought fine, it was her 3 week growth spurt. Well, now she's about 4 weeks old (I know growth spurts aren't exact, but honestly I feel like she's been having a 'growth spurt' since she was born!! There is little relief from the cluster feedings), and she's been super fussy and crying (and screaming) off and on since yesterday.

I know each day can be different, but it just seems like the trend that things are progressively getting worse. I'm just picturing this horribly colicky baby for 3 more months

And breastfeeding is also getting worse...I'm visiting my family tomorrow but I'm def. going to consult a lactation consultant while I'm there. Sometimes she breastfeeds just fine (albeit with that annoying nipple shield) but again, getting progressively worse. I had assumed as she got older, she'd get more adept and have a better latch, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I just wish we could have some good days to counteract the more difficult ones.

Karlie · #2 July 27th, 2010, 07:46 PM

Augh. Poor you! DS1 started screaming the day he turned 3 weeks old and didn't stop until he was 4 months old. I hope it is just a growth spurt and she cheers up quickly, but if not my only advise is to try some soothing techniques that aren't too hard on you. I personally sat on an exercise ball for 8 hours a day bouncing the little stinker while watching lots of daytime TV and breastfed him in the shower because the noise/water calmed him enough to have a decent feed instead of un-latching and screaming constantly. I know how hard it is having a miserable baby, but believe me time goes so quickly, she will be over it before you know it!! Goodluck with the lactation consultant, I hope you get some help sorting out the latching issues!!

rainbow_brite19 · #3 July 27th, 2010, 08:02 PM

I hope the LC can help you out!

daisygarten · #4 July 27th, 2010, 08:44 PM

Have you tried gas drops? For some reason, that calms my fussy boy... I use it right before bedtime and if he goes ballistic in the middle of the night, as he sometimes does. Hang in there, keep trying things and she'll be out of this phase soon I hope. GL with the nursing... I have seen improvement this week finally (4wks)

~~Que~~ · #5 July 28th, 2010, 05:41 AM

One of the most important things I have learned as a mom is to let go of how I think things "should be." releasing a lot of your expectations can help you relax a little bit more. Try and take it one day at a time and try not to think about how long his fussiness might last.

Now that I have said that, you might go down a checklist tomake sure he's ok: is he filling up diapers? (if not you may have a similar problem as Elizabeth) Is he kickind and screaming in pain? If so, it might be gas, try gripe water to help ease this. Do a full body once over checking all muscles and joints- watch to see if he cries when you touch or move anything. Also look for things like a hair wrapped around a toe or finger. If this doesn't work, look at your diet- start eliminating things that might be irritating his stomach (kellymom has a great guide on how to do this).

But also keep in mind, some babies like to be held. A lot. And that doesn't mean that anything is wrong, and they won't expect you to hold them forever and ever, I promise you will be begging him for a hug one day.

But please do see an LC when you get a chance, if anything it will help you build more confidence. Good luck!

Vincent'sMommy · #6 July 28th, 2010, 08:24 AM

Seema, I'm right there with you. I feel the exact same way and I'm so frustrated because I haven't been able to get many answers. It's like everyone I go to about something seems to think everything is fine but I feel like there's go to be a reason that we've had trouble with him BF from day one. I really hope things start to get better for you soon!

moon~maiden · #7 July 28th, 2010, 08:47 AM

just a thought.....and I know you have a nipple shield issue going on. But when Cadie was newborn I thought she had a horrible latch for weeks, but then once things calmed down I realized she just was normally a baby who unlatched and latched back over and over when eating. She did that the whole time we nursed. Vivian does the same thing. Sometime the flow can just be too strong, or maybe they just need a break. Could it be something like that? Is she gaining and peeing/pooping?

starrsgirl · #8 July 28th, 2010, 10:59 AM

Hugs! Thinking of you all. Cluster feeding over here too! You have been so strong...keep it up.

Daffodil · #9 July 29th, 2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moon~maiden

just a thought.....and I know you have a nipple shield issue going on. But when Cadie was newborn I thought she had a horrible latch for weeks, but then once things calmed down I realized she just was normally a baby who unlatched and latched back over and over when eating. She did that the whole time we nursed. Vivian does the same thing. Sometime the flow can just be too strong, or maybe they just need a break. Could it be something like that? Is she gaining and peeing/pooping?

That's possible...its just at other times she latches on and is good for quite awhile. I was really nervous because yesterday we flew home and my mom fed her 3 bottles of breastmilk and 2 bottles of formula (ugh, the formula is kept for emergency situations but apparently my daughter decided the flight was a good time to pig out!) and then when we came home she was extremely frantic and would only take the bottle...then last night I breastfed her a bit from one breast until she started fussing again. I kept at it for a good 10 minutes but she got so upset and wasn't latching at all so I fed her BM from a bottle...I know I'm not supposed to feed her from a bottle at all but my family was all asleep and I didn't want to wake them.

THEN this morning I slept in while my mom and dad fed her BM from a bottle. I thought our BFing days were certainly over.

But today I BF 3 times, very successfully

...she wasn't fussy, she did pull off occasionally and I had to latch her back on (your post made me feel better about when she does that, thanks!), so I'm very hopeful!! Tomorrow I'm going to a BF support group with a lactation consultant, so wish us luck!!

moon~maiden · #10 July 30th, 2010, 06:45 AM

one of the keys is to make it harder for her if she is eating from a bottle- you have to move it around and take it out often, things like that. So it still requires some work.