Help!! DD crys all day!

My DD is fussy almost all day no matter what I do. I am so sad and frustrated. I also have a DS who is almost 3. I feel like the worst mother ever. I am trying to comfort/soothe her all day and he is not getting as much attention and I feel less patient with his whining. This is a nightmare. My ped called in prevacid for my DD as he thinks maybe she has acid reflux, she has been on the med for 2 days but still crying. I had a horrible pregnancy, then she was born at 35 weeks, had to be transfered to childrens hospital for heart surgery, then she came home not eating well and I had to breastfeed, then bottle then pump. Now she is 7 weeks old and just breastfeeding, but not so cranky. She is gassy and almost sounds like her cry is becoming raspy (sp?) like she is losing her voice (maybe from crying so much or is she sick??). Mostly I am just venting, but would also like any advice on....acid reflux, colic, reducing gas in babies, or surviving 2 kids when your baby is fussy. Please help before I lose my mind.

[AnnieBrooke]

Is she on breast milk now or formula?  Infant probiotics have been shown to be helpful for colic from formula.

[AndiJ78]

While I didn't have the medical issues, my middle son was very difficult, still is actually. I was running myself ragged when he was an infant with nursing and caring for a 2.5 year old as well. My simplest advice...stop and take a deep breath. Ask for help, be patient yourself, you are all adjusting to a major change in your lives and it is expected to be experiencing chaos right now.

My middle son responded really well to loud white noise. There was a significant period of time where my dh had to turn a vaccum on while he nursed just so he would settle enough to eat. It will get better as your baby grows, they will be better able to entertain themselves, interact with siblings, etc. Include your ds as much as possible, give him jobs to do like getting a fresh diaper, a burp rag, etc. When nursing your baby, invite him up into your lap and read a story, always maintain conversations with him, even if you don't have him in your lap with the baby. Keep him engaged. It is tough, I know. I now have three boys, ages 5, 3, and almost 10 mos and have nursed all of them. It will get better.

[Crritter]

I'm sorry you are having a rough time.  Sounds like me a few months ago.  My first son was 3 1/2 and my little one was colicky, reacted to several formulas and was finally put on Nutramigen, has bad acid reflux, and would cry all night till about 5 am and then conk out for an hour or 2 just enough time for me to craswh before my other son woke me up for the day.  Even during the day Cam would wake up from a deep sleep screaming and making a funny face like he had a bad taste in his mouth.  His voice would get hoarse from screaming so much.  I had a colicky baby trhe first time around, so I wasn't too shocked, but the faces and projectile vomiting were a big tip off.  Sometimes baby's don't have any signs of reflux though.  It can take a few days for the Prevacid to kick in fully.  I was told to give it a week, but in a few days I noticed it got better.  He has outgrown the colic, but we are still battling the acid reflux and he keeps getting his meds upped.  I can tell when he outgrows them though, he will gag when he's eating.  Give it a little longer on the meds and call your Dr. to report what's going on.  Could also just be a difficult baby.  They aren't a lot of fun, but they do get better in time.  Andi has some great advice.  My first baby loved white noise too, also both loved to be held on their side and bounced lightly and shushed.  Could not sit and rock either one.  Once you are getting more rest and baby calms down you will feel better.  My older son has been a saint through the while process and helps alot, I still felt bad that he was getting less attention and having to deal with stressed out parents and a screaming baby.  He handled it like a pro.  I did take him to daycare twice a week though so he could play with his friends and keep some of his normal life.  He looked forward to going, and I got to rest a little on those days, even clean the house.  My older son lovs the baby so much, he even sits down and "reads" his baby brother books while Cam eats.  It's amazing how they can empathize and understand that the baby doesn't feel well and try to comfort them.  Good luck, you are a great mom and this fussiness will pass soon.

[Me2mommy2b]

It can take up to a week for Prevacid to kick in.  Don't lose hope b/c it's been only 2 days since she's been on Prevacid.  You're doing a great job and it's not easy to deal with a reflux baby AND a toddler.  Try to take it easy (I know, easier said than done) but it will be over soon and DD will feel better in no time.  You're lucky you got her on meds so soon.  I had to fight drs until my DD was 4 months so we went through 4 months of pure hell.  I know what you're going through.  Hugs to you and make sure you take a few minutes a day just for yourself.  You need to take care of you too.  As for your DD goes, try to burp her as many times as possible during feedings and try to hold her 15 minutes after you've fed her.  Also, Crriter mentioned white noise...even though it did nothing for my DD I've heard good things about it for other kids.  Good luck and you're doing a great job.

[ma2isiah]

Thank you so much for all of your advice!  Your comments and support made me feel so much better.  She seemed a little less cranky today. Maybe the meds or maybe just luck! I took both the kids to a friends house and it was nice to get out for a little while. It is reassuring to hear that other moms have been through similar tough times and survived. Thanks again!