When good babies go BAD

[Rainbowbrite]

Hi again all,

I'm at the end of my tether :confused: MJ used to be the most placid, contented bub anyone had ever met but the last couple of days she has been the complete opposite. I don't know whether it could be a growth spurt or what but she has been screaming so much lately. She never used to more than just whinge, but lately its turned intoscreaming at the top of her lungs, tears streaming down her face and sobbing for ages afterwards. It kills me every time and I end up in tears :(

She's just over 10 weeks old. Its never the same thing twice though, its been when she's in the pram, when she's in the bouncer, even in the car. It has also happened when she's woken up - which is strange cause she normally lays in her basinette and talks to herself. The times in the bouncer, she was laughing and smiling at me and when i left her for 2 minutes as I do if I have to go to the toilet or anything, she gets hysterical. In the car she was fine then just started screaming and i had to pull over to the side of the rad and attempt to calm her down.

Could it be some kind of seperation anxiety? It takes ages to settle her down when she's like it. Oh and she is dribbling alot, so may also be that?

Its happening again, gotta go

HELP

[TLCC]

Oh you poor thing.

It sounds a bit like seperation anxiety although I would have thought she was maybe a bit too young for that. She is probably too young to realise your coming back so that my intensify the screaming. In the car she is probably facing backwards so can't see you so that my frighten her.

The dribbling is natural - they all do it.

If your really concerned though head off to your GP for a check up - it can't hurt. There is nothing worse than your precious child screaming - especially when you get tears.

Having said that, a friend of ours had similar trouble with her little one, she grew 5 cm's in a week!! She was screaming because her arms and legs were hurting.

Keep doing what your doing - reassuring her. Sorry I can't be much more help.

Best wishes I hope she settles down soon for you.

[Baby Girl]

Hi RB,

At about this age bubs seem to start noticing things around them and need a little less sleep and a little more play time (only a little). Try putting her in different parts of the house so she can look at new things or hanging toys from the pram or bassinet/cot so she has bright things to look at - she may just be bored and when you are close by she has something interesting to look at.

Up until about 6 months of age babies only cry if they need something, not because they think you have disappeared. They pretty much totally forget about you as soon as you are out of sight!! UNTIL, they need you and then they cry, it is the only way they can call out to you. So, highly unlikely it is separation anxiety.

Neither of my girls have been dribblers unless teething. Could this be a possibility? Would also account for the unnatural screaming.

One thing I always remember when my girls are getting a bit worked up on a regular basis throughout the day is something my grandma told me....

The more time you give your bub, the more time you will have to yourself

It really works. If I am rushing to do things with them and not relaxing and letting it happen easily, when I slow down and take my time and go by their pace they both respond really well and I find they are both more settled and yes, I have more time for me!!

Don't worry too much about it as at MJ's age they change so quickly and go through many different stages of behaviour. This too will pass.

Good Luck!!

[Rainbowbrite]

Thanks for that :)


Neither of my girls have been dribblers unless teething. Could this be a possibility? Would also account for the unnatural screaming.

I'm thinking this may be the case as MJ has never dribbled other than the last couple of days. She has had a tooth showing for a couple of weeks now and after checking last night (started screaming again after her bath which she loves) its getting sharper. No redness to speak of but definately feels like its cutting through. Also feels like she may have another one coming through closer to the side of her mouth.

So far today she has been good, not settling as easy but. I've got her asleep in the portable cot out her in the lounge so she can hear and see me and it seems to be helping.

Thanks again

[Baby Girl]

Hi RB,

Sounds like her teeth are bothering her to me. They are really early aren't they?

Tooth pain seems to be at the worst when the tooth is actually cutting through the gum. Have you tried Bonjela on her gums or some other sort of soothing gel. I always used Bonjela (and occasionally Panadol if she was really worked up from her teeth moving around) with DD1 and I found it would sort of numb the area for a while so she was able to settle and get some sleep/rest. I am not sure how old bub needs to be before you can put anything like that in their mouths but it might be worth a look.

I am sure there are plenty of other things you can use, and I am sure one of the other mum's on bubhub has tried something else and got good results. Maybe ask your chemist or GP what might help her with the pain.

I know MJ is still tiny but maybe a little teething ring or a clean, wet face washer that has been in the fridge for her to suck/chew on might help too. The coolness seems to sooth those pesky teeth affected gums.

[Terrible2+1cutie]

My bub is going through that now at almost 8 months old, everytime i leave the room he screams and screams and moment i walk into room he is really happy. It might be too young for your bub to be going through Seperation anxiety as i have been told it doesn't normally set in till about 6 months. My kids started dribbling heaps when they started Teething so try her with some Bonjela or something if she is teething it might help, if not most babies like the taste of it.

Catherine