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551604 tn?1333983135

needing a little help ladies......

So, I'm back to work already...... I know is too soon but we need the money.

Anywhoo, my mom is watching Nicole and everything is going great. The problem comes when we go home.  She satrts crying nonstop (is actually everytime we go out).  I feed her and change her diaper and burp her but she still cries.  I carry her and she stops.  I leave her with daddy and she doesn't cry with daddy.  she is very content in her crib but as soon as I go in the room and start talking, she starts to cry and moves her head.  I also see her like trying to bite her hand off.  She puts her little fist in her mouth and starts making these sounds.  Of course I think she's hungry, but when I put the bottle in she just bites on it she's not sucking.  My question is do you guys think she could be teething so soon? She drools a lot with little bubbles and when she puts her fist in her mouth the crying stops but when she takes it out she starts crying again.  

What could this be??
27 Responses
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284738 tn?1283106819
my daughter was on soy formula and i hated it.. she did wonderful on it but i just didn't like her being on soy.. my doctor did a study on soy formula and babies on soy formula are in higher percentiles ( weight wise) than babies on milk based.. soy has more calories. my daughter is now on whole milk and since she has been off soy formula she has dropped 2 whole lbs.  there isn't enough research out there about soy formula.. they don't know all of the affects it has on our little ones.. and thats a bit scary..  

with that being said.. my daughter was on soy formula it was the only formula she could tolerate. so we had to give her soy formula... i wish she would have been able to tolerate milk based.. so please make sure its her formula before switching her to soy formula. i don;t think parents should give soy formula unless its the only option..
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145992 tn?1341345074
All she needed was a little mommy time.  It seems like you found what works.  The cuddling and carrying and soothing singing is what probably helped.  Plus, the fact that you didn't get overwhelmed by it this time and worked with it, it made such a difference.  Glad the advice helped.  Keep us posted, I guarantee you by 3 months, she will be so much better.
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304970 tn?1331425994
I think you have been alrady been given a lot of great information!

And kudos to you girl for going back to work so fast! Best of luck and I am glad today was a better day!
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171768 tn?1324230099
sounds like you had a wonderful evening :)
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551604 tn?1333983135
Well, I went to pick her up at my mom's house and she was laying next to my mom in her bed awake watching tv.  As soon as I got in front of her and started talking she starting moving her arms and head and was almost starting to cry.  I think is what you said Joy, she is telling me how long of a day she had, :-).  When we got home I breast fed heard and she was doing good then she had one oz of formula.  I carried her for a while and was talking to her and singing, and now she's sleeping.  This is the earliest she has fallen asleep the last couple of days.  Usually she goes to sleep at 11 or 12pm.

Regarding the formula, I'm going to give it another week with the Enfamil.  If I feel she's not improving, I will introduce something else.  Thanks guys, you are all life savers.  I was going crazy, hopefully she will get more better with time.
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765070 tn?1384869794
I know that when my son was little he could not take the formula that had the added iron to it.  He was very fussy and always spit up.  When we switched to the regular formula then he was fine.  We did try the soy but he had constant diarrhea from it but It is definitely worth a try.  Maybe he is lactose intolerant.  
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171768 tn?1324230099

I found the following on the AAP's website...
"In term infants whose nutritional needs are not being met from maternal breast milk or cow milk-based formulas, isolated soy protein-based formulas are safe and effective alternatives to provide appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development. Isolated soy protein-based formula has no advantage over cow milk protein-based formula as a supplement for the breastfed infant.
Because soy protein-based formulas are lactose-free, they are appropriate for use in infants with galactosemia and hereditary lactase deficiency.
...
The routine use of isolated soy protein-based formula has no proven value in the prevention or management of infantile colic.
What was also interesting was that the article stated about colic "Colicky discomfort, apparently abdominal in origin, is described by the parents of 10% to 20% of infants during the first 3 months of age.91 Although many factors have been implicated, parents frequently seek relief by changing infant formula. Although some calming benefit can be attributed to the sucrose92,93 and fiber content,13 controlled trials of cow milk and soy protein-based formulas have not demonstrated a significant benefit from soy.94,95 The value of parental counseling as to the cause and duration of colic seems greater than the value of switching to soy formula.96 Because most colicky behavior diminishes spontaneously between 4 and 6 months of age, any intervention at that time can be credited anecdotally. "

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;101/1/148

As the article shows, soy is not harmful, just not the best option unless the baby has a true milk intolerance.

My time is limited, so I don't have time to find the most recent update on the AAP's position. However, this article indicates that it did change it's position a bit in the past year.
http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/574189 outlines some of the changes (I much prefer to go straight to the source, but I am having a terrible week and need to get back to things).
This update reviews the limited indications and contraindications of soy formulas as well as the potential harmful effects of soy protein-based formulas and the phytoestrogens they contain.

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Avatar universal
Looks to be like there are still studies going around that have not confirmed much either way (this article is a few years old).  Certain formulas work good for one baby and another works better for another.  Your baby will likely tell you which direction to go, in the long run.......

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jan04/soy0104.htm
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Avatar universal
tiredbuthappy- what have you heard about soy formula? The only thing I have heard is that soy naturally contains estrogen. In recent news there have been jet fuel ingredients found in cow-based formulas and none in the soy-based formulas. So I was interested to hear what information you know of because we will most likely go straight to soy formula with this baby in the event I can't nurse.
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171768 tn?1324230099
I agree with Grandmatobe. I would hold off before switching to soy. There is mixed research about soy and what is best for baby.
My little one also had breastmilk and formula, although she was older when we introduced formula. Despite being older, she had some difficulty with Similac and Enfamil at first. However, she did wonderfully on Good Start. After a couple of months of the Good Start, she was able to take any formula no problem.

Breastmilk is highly digestable, which may be why she has trouble with some formulas. For this reason, I would not jump to anything with rice added though. I suspect it would upset/confuse her digestive system, since breastmilk is digested quickly and formula, especially formula with rice added, is digested much slower.

Are you breastfeeding or bottlefeeding the breastmilk? Honestly, if you are still nursing at times, it sounds like she may be rooting with her fist, and she may be looking to breastfeed. This could explain why she is not taking the bottle well from you. I have heard countless stories of babies who take bottles from everyone except mom. If this sounds like it may be the situation, you may want to post on the breastfeeding forum for suggestions on what people did in these situations. If she is feeding and behaving well for others, it is very possible that this is the reason.

It is also possible that you happen to be home during the witching hour that so many infants have. My dr explained that many babies have rough evenings because they just reach a point of overstimulation. How is she with you on the weekends or days when you're together all day?
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Avatar universal
I would like to make another suggestion.........

Since she has only tried this one milk-based formula, you may want to consider trying a different one before moving on to soy.  My granddaughter didn't do well on Similac, so we changed her to Good Start and she did GREAT.  Once you go over to Soy, you don't have any options left if she doesn't do well there, so perhaps trying one more version of a milk-based product before "going soy" might do the trick.
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497950 tn?1255863927
maybe she is just really hungry and needs more than she's getting...maybe try adding some cereal...just a thought
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202436 tn?1326474333
I agree with joy.  Unless it's a WIC issue OR there are other health related issues that need to be addressed (ie: allergies) Ultimately she is YOUR child and you don't need anyones permission to change her food.  I also agree with Joy on how to change formulas.  A sudden change can her system all out of whack.  A gradual change lets her adjust.  Also by giving it around mid day....not first in the morning or last at night....it gives you opportunity to watch for allergic reactions or any other adverse side affect.  

As I said before, you could just have a very tempermental baby.  My Abby was like that...i spent HOURS walking a groove in the floor or sitting on the balcony in the middle of the night to keep her quiet.  NOTHING worked with her...it eventually got better though.  She is still high strung however.
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Avatar universal
I may be wrong but I don't see why you'd have to tell the doctor. I'd mention it in passing, just say you have switched her to such-n-such formula. Ultimately you're her mother. I don't ask the doctor if I can feed my toddlers cheese or anything like that, so I don't see why you'd need permission unless you were on WIC and needed approval for them to make your vouchers for a different brand/kind.

I would start off with one bottle one day, then two bottles the second day to see how she does. I wouldn't do the first bottle of the day with the new formula. I'd say mid-day or noon bottle to try the new formula. So definitely make it gradual because simply switching without giving her tummy time to adjust could make it worst, if this is indeed the problem.
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551604 tn?1333983135
Her skin is not red or blotchy.  I am changing her pediatrician.  But can I just change her milk like that without telling him?  If so, how do I start her on a new one?  Do I just stop giving her the old one in one day and start her on the new the next? I hear goodstart is good, but there are so many different types of milk, I just don't know, so confusing....
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551604 tn?1333983135
I've tried Mylicon, gripe water and nothing seems to help.  My mom doesn't hold her at all,only to give her her bottle and when she's with her father she doesn't cry. Another thing my mom had to do was put dark curtains in her room because Ms. Nicole will not sleep when she sees daylight.  She's a very complicated little person
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Avatar universal
Well it doesn't matter if the formula is making her stool soft or pebbly or even making her constipated. If it is *hurting* her then it needs to be changed. I would find a new pediatrician. The pediatrician I found for my daughters is younger and female, so she stays on top of the most recent medical information out there and respects me as a parent. And being a woman she seems to have more sympathy, though not all male doctors are bad at all!

So definitely switch if you are not comfortable with him. I have found that ratemds.com is a WONDERFUL site to find a pediatrician in your area. And you can rate the ped you currently have so others can steer clear of him.

If you are on WIC, then you will need permission from the doctor to switch. If you're not on WIC you can just buy a can of something else and try it out, gradually. Also, make sure Grandma isn't putting too much formula in the bottles!

Just tell the doctor that you think the formula is causing an upset stomach and you'd like to try a soy-based formula or something else.

Is your daughter's skin blotchy? Red? That could be a sign of milk allergy/sensitivity and then soy formula would definitely help.
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551604 tn?1333983135
That sounds too cute!! "She's telling her momma how her day was", I didn't think about that.  I am going to tell her pediatrician to see if he can change her milk.  But how can I tell them to change it.  I told her pediatrician that she doesn't go as much and he says that's normal as long as the poopie is soft.  Somedays she will eat and eat and not go until the nightime. He is a very weird pediatrician.
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202436 tn?1326474333
Another thing, if you think it's becuase she's hungry...possibly metabolizing the formula/breastmilk too fast.  Try Enfamil AR lipil.  It has added rice starch so it makes it a bit heavier on the stomach.  

Another question....is she held all day at gramas? It could be she's content until she feels a female presence and then she wants the comfort of being held.  I assume she calms down when you hold her?

On another note.  Some babies are just cranky.  My youngest girl (I have 2 girls 2 boys) was a cranky baby from the get go.  She is STILL a cranky child and will be 6 next month.   Colic or not....some babies just express themselves much louder and longer than others.  

Has anyone else mentioned gas?  Have you tried the mylicon?  Or the Gentle NAturals Tummy soothers?  

I do agree with trying either a soy based formula or the Gentlease type as well.  Just remember that if you try a new one...you have to give it a week or two to really see if it helps.  
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Avatar universal
And I want to say- be careful about any parenting book you read. You don't have to follow them religiously and Happiest Baby on the Block has gotten a lot of bad reviews. It does have some gems of information, so I'm not saying it's an awful book. Just telling you to be careful about anything you read. Not every baby is the same nor will respond the same ways. It's all trial-and-error until you find what works for little Nicole.
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Avatar universal
Awww- I think it's a combination of things. First, teething can start and stop at anytime (some babies are BORN with teeth!). My daughters were start teething so very early on but no teeth ever popped through until they were older. The teething seemed to just come and go. So check her gums to see if they're swollen and red. I don't like orajel and most babies don't like it either because they don't like the numb feeling.

The formula can definitely cause stomach upset. I had to change to Prosobee Lipil with Iron (soy based formula) because the cow milk is a lot harsher on baby's tummy. My girls did WONDERFUL on that formula. So you may need to switch formulas until you find one that's just right for her.

And as another person said- that is the fussy time of day. It's kind of her time to "vent" and cry after a long, stimulating day. Much like you want need some alone time after a long, hard day at work.

Finally I think she cries most with you because she is trying to tell you how hard her little day was (LOL). I know I probably sound kooky but she's probably just trying to let her Momma know how much she missed you. Kind of like when you leave for vacation and your dog/cat pees and poos everywhere. Not because they hate you but because they're upset you were gone all day/week.
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551604 tn?1333983135
she goes poopie maybe 2-3 times a day.  On some days maybe 4.  she does get canky only towards the evening, so maybe it is a stage.  Thanks mami, I will be buying that book!
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145992 tn?1341345074
Here Jen, I found this for you.

Normal Fussing
Regardless of gestational age at birth, fussing usually increases at about two weeks after the due date, peaks at six weeks and gradually decreases till stable at three to four months. At this age babies are better able to calm themselves. Some crying is normal. However, if you feel your baby is crying too much, check with your baby's doctor to make sure that it is not due to some controllable discomfort, such as food sensitivities, or GERD (acid indigestion).

Many healthy babies have at least one fussy period a day. This period may start out to be in the middle of the night but usually moves to the late afternoon or evening. During this time the baby will probably want to feed frequently, and be held constantly when not feeding. Swaddling and cuddling are great ways to help your baby when s/he is feeling unsettled.

You may worry your baby has colic. The difference between colic and normal fussing is one of degree, not kind. Colic is a description used when a baby is clearly thriving but the parents report the baby spends much more time crying than is typical. Check with your baby's doctor if your baby frequently cries hard and is difficult to soothe.

A crying baby may appear gassy as they are likely to pass gas when crying hard. In other words, the crying causes the baby to pass gas, not vice versa. However, sometimes you can tell that gas is the cause.

Occasionally the diet of a breastfeeding may affect her baby. The most common "problem foods" are milk and dairy products, soy, citrus fruit, and tomatoes. The list is endless so it can help to keep a food diary and see if you can spot a relationship. Some babies are fussy regardless of what is in the breast or bottle.

Some very healthy babies seem to need almost constant attention in the early weeks. This is tough on the parents, especially those that have little help. Sometimes you may feel like a caretaker rather than a loving parent, and may even resent the seemingly endless demands. Don't worry. In the second month your baby will begin to settle into a pattern, will fuss less and, so wonderfully, will start smiling at you. What a difference!
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Some steps you can take to reduce fussing
Babies who are carried more cry less. One study found that babies who spent more time being held or carried, even while content or asleep, cried less. The younger the baby, the more dramatic the results: three extra hours of carrying a day reduced the amount of crying in a four-week-old baby by forty-five percent.

Quick responses reduce fussing. Some parents may be told that babies can be spoiled if mom and dad respond too quickly. In fact research shows that responding promptly to baby's signals in the early months results in a more confident, independent child. Holding, rocking or feeding your baby as often as needed is exactly the right approach, and confirmed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If endless breastfeeding seems to be the only way to calm your baby you might want to see a Lactation Consultant to confirm breastfeeding is going well. (A little hunger can cause a lot of fussing.) If all is fine, take advantage of breastfeeding as a convenient, easy way to calm your baby. This stage will not last forever.

An excellent book on soothing techniques for the newborn is The Happiest Baby on the Block, by Harvey Karp, MD. Most parenting books contain a section with many suggestions for calming a newborn. However, there is no approach that will totally erase all crying from your baby's life.

Take time for yourself. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by your baby's needs a little break is all you need to recharge your batteries.

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145992 tn?1341345074
Any formula with added iron is harsh on a baby's belly.  Does she go poopie on a regular basis?  I would switch to a more gentle formula.  Seven weeks is the evening fussing stage.  You can google it or read a book that really helped me during that time period.  It's called "The Baby Book", it tells you all about this evening hours between 5 and 9 pm when babies are at their fussiest.  Either overstimulation from the day or additional gasiness, they don't know why it happens.  But if she's soothed by being carried then I suggest getting a carrier or a sling and just walk around with her.  Good luck hon, this will soon pass.
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