un-contented 6 week old, please come and tell me it will get better!

[pinkrangernowwobbles]

DS2 is nearly 6 weeks old and so much hard work, DS1 was a breeze compared to him and i truly feel that im going out of my mind, getting upset and stressed on a daily basis.

Since birth he has never seemed contented, always wriggling around and " growling/whinging noises if not asleep!

I could not BF so we have FF and he has seemed fine with this but the last couple of week he has been having 5oz EVERY 2-3 hours ( 3 is the absolute max!) so we have tried him on the hungry milk but he still wants loads of that. I have him on the Aptimail but someone has suggested trying a different type of milk but have no idea if this will do anything to help him settle. He screams to go to sleep, this is with all methods! and only sleeps for a small amount of time but when he wakes he is clearly still tired!

Am also going to try and book him in with a cranial osteopath as ive heard that can help some unsettled babies!

Feel really down and upset about it all and i really want to enjoy my new baby but feel that im going crazy with it!

Please any advice would be highly appreciated, will talk to Hv over the next couple of days but mine are a bit crap and i know that they are going to tell me that " he is only 6 weeks, feeding still not established to well, blah blah" want REAL parents to help

[pinkrangernowwobbles]

anyone - He has just woke up after 40 mins sleep! He has not slept since 4pm

[fangsandflash]

You poor thing - its tough - has he got wind or colicky pains? Maybe some infacol would help. Mine made noises when they had wind and once passed in whichever direction (!) they were fine. It could also be waking him up.

It sounds like he does need a really good sleep. Have you tried putting him back down when he wakes up and see if he goes back to sleep?

Cranial osteopaths are good.

I would recommend chamomilla for grumpy babies too - safe at any age - its the teetha powders basically - just sprinkle in his mouth and will calm him.

I wouldn't say it was a feeding issue tbh - lots of babies feed every 2-3hours - mine does at 6 months. He still wakes twice a night for a feed too.

something is obviously unsettling him - personally I would try to winding/homeopathic route first.

Good luck and keep going - you are doing a fab job xxx

[lizziemun]

pinkrangernowwobbles

I can't realy help as my dd2 is the same, except dd2 is nearly 4wks and will only take 3 - 4oz in 2 - 3 hours.

I have had to FF dd as well. My HV did suggest a course of cranial osteopath as dd2 had a quick delivery so maybe why she is unsettled.

I can relate to "Feel really down and upset about it all and i really want to enjoy my new baby but feel that im going crazy with it!" i am realy doubting having a second child was a mistake .

None of this has been useful, but i hope it helps to feel that you are not alone .

[pinkrangernowwobbles]

Thank you ladies

• Lizzemum, feel so much the same, as you say nice to know we are not the only ones!
  
  Thanks Fangs, he has infacol most feeds and is windy at times but generally brings it up ok ( we do try gripe water time to time aswell)
  
  Am going to try and book him appointment for the CO now

[Acinonyx]

Common fussiness peaks at 6 wks (as opposed to colic which goes on longer). I remember at 6 wks I was about to take dd to the dr as I thought surely something must be wrong with her. It was a bank holiday weekend and by the time Tues came she seemed to be turning the corner and sure enough she started to calm down over the next weeks. So hopefully your dc will too. Jill

[pinkrangernowwobbles]

Thats good to know!

Have just him an appointment for Monday morning so will let you know how it goes

Lizzie did you try the cranial opsteopath for you DD ?

[MrsPuddleduck]

My second was like this, and it turned out that he had reflux. It may be worth having a word with your hv.

Do you sit him in a babychair - if so try elevating it slightly and see if it makes a difference. Also raising the end of his crib/cot slightly may help.

[lizziemun]

pink

not yet, i can't decide if she just bit young. I keep thinking i give it a few more weeks to see if she settles .

P.S I'm also a Librain (birthday on monday) and making decision takes me a while.

[pinkrangernowwobbles]

i can never make a decision either!

[Dinosaur]

it will get better, really it will

I can't remember the details but I seem to recall that all three of mine went through an unsettled sort of phase at about six weeks

it will pass

and before you know it, you will be into the next unsettled phase

[miniegg]

i had the same experience with my DS who is now ten weeks old. everything improved dramatically when I started trying to get into a bit of a routine. nothing too strict or rigid, but following the same feeding times and bedtime routines every day. it has made the world of difference, and restored my sanity. Perhaps he would have got better anyway, as time passed, but might be worth a try?

[haychEebeeJeebees]

Isnt it an expected growth spurt at 6weeks?

[haychEebeeJeebees]

Oh, and it does get better.

[haychEebeeJeebees]

It is true, that you move on from one drama to the next with them darned dc. From growth spurts to weaning to teething to sleeping to tumbling to tantrums and so it goes on and on and on.
I am currently struggling with whinging with dd2 (4) and general backchat with dd1 (7).
Its great this parenting lark . It is worth it though, youll see.

[victoriabean]

Have you tried carrying him in a sling? IME the closeness, and the womb-like feeling really helps settle a fractious baby, especially if you get out for a walk (that can also make YOU feel tins better! Have a look at www.baby-bean.com/reasons-to-carry-your-baby-a-4.html for more information. HTH x