Help!!!! Baby temper tantrum

Well Quinn is now 3 weeks old and for the past few nights from 11:00PM until 3:00 in the morning she is inconsolable. She throws an absolute fit and screams at the top of her lungs. Nothing I do works, I feed her and she feeds real frantically and ends up spitting up as she takes in too much air, I change her, rock her, walk with her... etc...   This is killing me, I can understand crying fits but ones that last this long are pretty excessive.
Then all of a sudden she falls asleep for 4 hours and is a sweetheart during the day.
Any suggestions or tips???

[jd1419]

Just a quick question---what time is she going to bed?  Maybe she is exhausted cause she is up to late and then it sets the tantrum off--or she is now going thru a growth spurt--both my little guys did this at three weeks old--I felt like a cow because all I did was nurse--it lasted about four or five days where at night I would nurse every hour--first one freaked me out--second one I knew what was going on--

[stephd]

You could try taking her for a ride in the car to get her back to sleep.  I know my DS STILL falls asleep in the car.  Good luck!!

[coreysmom]

My DD did the same thing! (She is now 6 months old) The cause gas bubbles! Once I figured it out things got better, I had to pat her back for 30 minutes sometimes (even if she all reay burped) and I would get the loudest burp I ever heard! I know it sounds crazy, but try it. She would fall right asleep after that. At times I thought she migh have colic, but it was built up gas

[Trentonsmom]

My son had Colic for about 3 months and it started when he was about 2 weeks old. He cried from about 3 in the afternoon until about 9 at night. he would take short breaks in between, but I know how frustrating it can be. You just always have to know when to put the baby down and walk away for a few minutes that way you don't go too nuts!!!

[2songbirds]

you said she feeds frantically then spits up. Are you breast or bottle? If your bottle, try a nipple with a smaller hole, less flow. Breast...I have no idea.

[Me2mommy2b]

Hi, hon...I just went through this and I know exactly what you're talking about.  DD was exactly the same and it started for her around 2 weeks.  She would start screaming around 7 pm and would not stop until 3-4 am.  It was terrible.  Everyone told me that it's colic but later on she was diagnosed with reflux.  She is now on med for it and even though she's still fussy during the day, she is MUCH better at night.  Sorry I can't tell you what worked for us b/c it seemed that what was a miracle solution for others, didn't work for us at all.  Every child is different.  Did you try putting a warm towel or blanket on her tummy?  I would iron the receiving blanket and keep it on her tummy..that would calm her down for a minute or so.  DH would gently rock her.  We would shhh in her ear.  Also look for signs of reflux.  Most babies have it but it bothers some more than others.  This is the list of signs from infantreflux.org (i'm not suggesting Quinn has it, it's just something worth looking into):
Projectile vomiting
Excessive spitting-up
Screaming and/or crying during and after feedings
Painful and excessive gas
Arching of the back
Legs stay drawn up
Inconsolable
Turns head to the left frequently
Pulls away from bottle or breast while feeding and is obviously still hungry
Chronic ear or respiratory infections (bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia)
Going a substantial amount of time without bowel movements (for us it was every 1-2 weeks)
Continuous cycle of eating, spitting/vomit, eating, spitting, eating.  (feels good going down, but burns coming back up so infant eats more to soothe only to burn again)
Stops breathing
Loud and persistent grunting
Frequent hiccups
Constant runny nose
Bad breath
Other noises associated with ruminating ( ruminating = the voluntary or involuntary regurgitation and re-chewing of partially digested food that is either re-swallowed or expelled )
Very irritable and easy to agitate ( by knocks on doors, ringing, etc. )
Frequent screaming episodes with eyes shut and brows furrowed
Very tense during feeding with fists clenched tightly and legs drawn up
No sleep or only short naps
Sudden screaming during sleep and wakes up frequently crying
Constantly hungry and still feeds even after being overfed
Moaning, groaning, and straining during and after feedings as if trying to pass gas or a bowel movement

Remember, it is all temporary and it does go away.  

[twiceadopt]

if she spits up fairly soon after eating, reliably, reflux is a good thing to check. my oldest has it (still, she just turned 8) and a diagnosis/medication made a world of difference.

[lucky mom of 2]

My daughter had the samething. She is 6 now and is still kind of one the tempermental side, my other daughter who is 4 was not fussy like that and is still more easy going. Some say it's colic, some say it's gas, some say it's nervous system related-i.e.-I have heard that some babies have an underdeveloped nervous system at birth and will grow out of it. All I can say is do not let it drive you crazy, you are not doing anything wrong, she will get better, and know when to walk away. My daughter improved huge at 3 months. She was like a different baby. Just look forward to that. My girlfriend did have slight improvements with changing formula, I couldn't try that because I breastfeed. I changed my diet, no luck. I have often thought maybe it was reflux, my doctor said it was just colic. I still wonder-1. What is colic? and 2. Why did she spit up so much?- My other daughter never spit up, both breastfed. Who knows? Maybe just a sensitive stomach? Just try to relax and get help from family. You need a break.

[brentlie]

My DD had acid refulx and had alot of the same symptoms as Quinn.  Dr. said if the spitting up is projectile then that is a definates sign.  When she would spit up it would always be very hot and already curdled even if she was still eating when she spit up.  The frantic eating is also a sign.  Her throught and chest is probley burning and she thinks drinking will help but then it dosen't. My Dr. suggested giving her water in between feedings until the meds kicked in to cool her burn off.  My DD is still a very firey 5 year old now and I think that was some of the problem, but the acid reflux was driving my crazy.  Also she didn't nap well durning the day because of the burning and she was so tired at night it made it worse.  I hope things get better for you.  I know what you are going through, just hang in there.

[girlybuff]

I would defnintely check out reflux or colic but if after checking wih our dr it's not anything medical, you might want to try the vacuum or hairdryer.  Noise distracts them sometimes!
Good luck.

[BusyMom92960206]

Yep, it is probably the reflux and a tad bit of colic.  My DS had that too!

[npd]

Just a suggestion - our Quin (short for Quinton) had the same problem at 3 weeks or so until about 12 weeks.  I found that Ovol (simethicone drops) helped tremendously - we'd give him a dose with the first evening feeding (after which he would start his difficult period) and it really helped him bring up the gas that was causing all of the anxiety.  He also did have some mild reflux, so at our doctor's suggestion he napped at a slight incline in the car seat or stroller (and using a crib wedge at night in his crib).  Just remember it's temporary, whatever the cause.  Is Quinn breastfed?  If not, the type of formula you're using could be part of the problem - if she's lactose intolerant, it could be causing colic-like symptoms.  I'd talk to your pediatrician...  Good luck!

[Harley-girl]

To answer all the questions we put her to bed at 8:00PM. She is breastfed during the day and does a bottle at night. During her most fussy times though she is back on the breast. She NEVER throws up during the day but does on occasion at night. I think she just gets very gassy and cranky. It is weird though as soon as this fussy 4 hours is over she is out like a light and sleeps for 4 hours. I hope it is just a growth period and goes away soon. It has been 3 very bad nights in a row and I am tired and DH is being a jerk which does not help. He gets upset during her crying at night and yells at me.  Like it is my fault..

[ImmortalOne]

Harley, it sounds like Colic to me.  Talk to your pediatrician about it hun.  It's normal and I know it's hard.  Hang in there.

[decogrl]

Hate to say if it is colic, this is the time it starts.  We tried EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING!!! Nothing works but time.  We always thought DD had a tummy ache, but not true.  It is VERY tough on parents to watch a helpless infant but it will get better.  Good luck to you and hopefully, this is just a one time thing with your baby

[cutiemama]

Hey girl! I think everyone's given you some geat advice but I was laughing when I read your post and all the comments because I went through the exact same thing with both my girls and sometimes it makes the crying a little easier when we can pinpoint the cause and chalk it up to colic or reflux but sometimes its just pure fussiness and fatigue. At least that's been my experience.  Like clockwork at around 10:30 or 11 pm both my girls would turn from little angels to little terrors. Both were inconsolible no matter what I did and it could last for an hours straight to 3 hours. But the good part is that it lasted from about week 2 until about week 8 or 9 when they outgrew this fussiness and began sleeping through the night. Good luck. It does get easier.

[lovefamily]

Stop the bottle and try just keeping her on the breast at night.  This will be easier on you too.  No preparation, pull up the shirt and "presto"...milk is ready.   That is what I liked about breastfeeding, it is much easier in the night. Also, you have no nipple confusion that way either and the bottle may be putting to much gas on her little tummy.  Watch your diet.  I found my boy's would be little monster when I had a lot of spicy italian food loaded with garlic.  You didn't say if night time feeding was pumped breast milk or formula. Formula may not agree with her.

[Harley-girl]

Thanks for all the info ladies. I just pumped 4oz's for her nite time feed and will use that instead of formula. Wish me luck, hopefully the similac was not agreeing with her.

[twiceadopt]

if it helps, all 3 of ours had a "witching hour" where they just turned into beasts - irregardless of the reflux. they outgrow it by about age 5 :)

[RockRose]

Harley - it certainly sounds like the bottle may be a huge contributing factor!!

Are you feeding her formula,  or pumped breast milk?  If it's formula,  have you tried a specialty formula like Nutramegen (sp?) or something else that might be easier for her to digest?

[milkmommy]

Take the baby off the bottle. Formula is made from cows milk and there may be be allergy. Allergies can come from soy as well.

Look at your diet. My son did the same thing and I eventually figured out he was allergic to the peanut butter I was eating.

Tell hubby to grow up or sleep in the other room. Go stay with mom for a few days if you can...only if she's the helping type.

Babies are a lot of work. This will pass.

[amy524]

I also wanted to point out about acid reflux that you don't have to spit up to still be in discomfort from the acid.  That's called silent reflux.  My DD was diagnosed at 2.5 weeks old.  She was a spitter and that (combined with her constant fussing) was what triggered us to have it looked into.  Keep an eye on her patterns of behavior and see if you can piece anything together.  I also recommend infantreflux.org.  It's a great forum with lots of helpful moms!  Good luck!  I know how stressful it can be!

Amy

[bensgran]

First, congrats on Quinn's birth.  I started looking at this forum about 18 months ago when you and Greenpixie were TTC and I have always enjoyed your posts.  I am a 50-something grandmother and your post brought back such memories!  When my now 29 year old daughter was about 2 weeks old she suddenly developed her "crazy" times which usually started around 10 or 11pm and sometimes went until dawn but could also start at 4pm and go till 2am.  She screamed, she spit up, she passed gas, she nursed and screamed at the same time and generally caused me great anxiety.  Reflux was unknown back then and I was convinced that she was starving(she was 100%breastfed) or deathly ill or something.  I rushed her to the doctor's and he calmly weighed her and she had gained 2 lbs and was thriving.  He said she had "colic" or an "underdeveloped nervous system" and not to worry.  He said he would medicate me before he medicated her.  I couldn't believe it, she was two weeks late, weighed 7lbs 10 oz and was perfect at birth.  How could she be underdeveloped!?!  I proceeded to drive myself crazy reading (no internet in those days)and asking questions, trying to figure it all out.  Luckily I have a very calm and patient husband who would take her as soon as he came home from work.  I would greet him at the door with both of us crying, me from fatigue and my daughter from whatever baby devil had taken over that adorable little strawberry-blond head.  One weekend day I couldn't take it anymore and I told him to take her away.  He calmly put her in her carseat and drove away.  Later he told me that he had taken her all the way to Foxboro, MA (we live in New England)and when he came back much later she was calm and so was I.  Now the phrase "take her to Foxboro" is a family joke but it sure wasn't funny then.  I literally thought I would never sleep again.  You have gotten good advice from the other posters and I can only agree...Stop giving her the bottle on the chance that the formula is upsetting her, nurse more often during the day even if you have to wake her up.  Your milk is at its weakest in the evening and maybe you need to build it up a bit by more frequent nursing.  Really tank her up during the day.  I also recommend putting on some lullaby CD's and also Raffi's Quiet Time CD.  It has words to the songs and it is a distraction to babies. You sing along with it and it will calm both you and her.  When my daughter had her son last May my biggest advice to her was to go with the flow, no matter how bad it gets.  If you are sure that she is healthy (her better behavior the rest of the time indicates this) then chalk it up to "baby demons" and know that this too shall pass.  At about 3 months my daughter morphed into an easy and wonderful child.  I never knew what had changed and now I wish I had been more accepting and patient with both her and myself.  Most of all stay calm and put it in perspective and if all else fails get your husband to "take her to Foxboro" or Peoria or wherever else is a fair distance from Chicago.  Sorry to be so longwinded but I so remember those crazy days and the helplessness I felt.  Keep us posted  bensgran

[petanka]

I hear you! My little girl goes through a similar thing. The only difference is she gets her tendrom around 6pm and goes like that till 9, 10 or 11pm. She does not necessary scream her lungs out, but she is very upset, cries while I am nursing her and no matter what, if we hold her, swing her, she stays upset. Once we get through this time she usually falls a sleep and sleeps for good 4-5 and 1/2 hours. We have been using the gas drops, hoping that will do the magic. Also, the other night, she was upset and when I finished feeding her, I would lay her down next to me as I do every night and she got all upset. She then cried for about 5 minutes until I put her on her side, her back against a pillow and just like that...she was gone...snoozing away! Tried the same thing last night...did not work, but still got her fall a sleep but breastfeeding her while she was laying next to me! Anyway, I guess I do not have much advise, but I agree that it is temporary and it will go away. I, unlike you, have a very patient husband and he takes her as soon as he gets home, so if I need a nap, he will help. He also gets up in the middle of the night and if needed, he will stay up for a couple of hours so I can sleep. It certainly HELPS a lot!

[girlybuff]

Men are jerks.  I'm sorry but the have absolutely no idea.  My DH is great but he sometimes asks me to quiet our 5 month old DD when she's "speakng" and playing.  I tell him to shut up.

[newlywed05]

Harley, have you tried those wedge pillows or positioning cushions for her to lie on when she is sleeping? My friends 2 kids both had a mixture of reflux and colic and they swear by them. Keeps the head and belly elevated just enough to help with the "natural flow" of things in baby's body. Unfortunately I haven't had experience with them myself yet bc my little guy is stubborn already and won't come out.....but I have heard wonderful things about them. Just a thought.

[Trialanderror]

At 3 weeks my son had a cranky hour each afternoon for a short while until I realized I had consumed tons of yoghurt and milk. This must have gotten to him via breastmilk. I controlled my own dairy urges and he was fine within two days. He hardly ever cried before or after that incidence again as long as I made sure he was not overstimulated. He has never liked any dairy products to date. Maybe it`s just that.

[AnnieBrooke]

I like everyone's advice here.  My baby is fussy after eating some meals.  I find he calms if I burp him a LOT, then put him to sleep in some new position (as long as I'm watching him) before on his back to sleep at night.  In other words, I'll lie him on a pillow on his side if it is daytime and I can check him every few minutes to be sure his nose is clear and he is breathing normally.  I think the back-sleeping rule is great for preventing SIDS but does nothing for preventing gassiness.  The other thing that might help is if you take something for gas yourself, to let it get into your breast milk.  Ask the doc about this, though.  (I hate it when Augie cries after eating, it makes me feel like I'm making him sick.)