Uncontrollable screaming every night

[*Sparkles*]

My bub is almost 8 weeks old and he screams every night starting around 6-7pm, which is usually after a feed. In my baby book it says this is quite common and refers to it as "arsenic hour". Nothing we do will stop him. Sometimes we put him to bed, or in his rocker with music playing. But nothing works. He refuses to be cuddled, just screams more and wriggles around. So we make sure he is safe and secure and not too hot and let him get on with it. He usually stops when he has his bath around 8.30pm followed by his bedtime feed. Then he goes to bed and sleeps well thru the night. The book also says that babies will usually grow out of this around 3 months of age and the reason they do it is for brain development. Many parents consider it to be "colic" and give the baby medicine. But I know our bub does not have anything physically wrong, it's just something he does :confused: . It does upset and distress us night after night, even though we know the reasons why.

I am wondering if anyone else has or had the same experience and how did you deal with it? and also how long did it last for? Any advice would be appreciated.

[tru]

Been there not so long ago Hels. :hugs: The book is right. It is quite common and they do grow out of it. We tried everything with DS and nothing would stop his screaming which would sometimes last anywhere from 4pm to 10pm. I think he grew out of it at about 12 weeks. We tried all the colic relief formulas and some seemed to help for a little bit sometimes, but it was really just time that made the difference. Try to remain calm yourselves and don't get upset as you are doing all that you can. Just keep thinking "This too will pass" and think of the good times. Perhaps see your GP too if you think that could help? We thought DS might have reflux as he threw up about once a day for the first few weeks. Im glad the GP didn't put him on medication though because the screaming (and vomiting) did eventually stop on it's own. Now, at 5 months of age he still gets a bit crazy in the afternoon/evening but nothing like those early weeks. You're doing a great job as parents. Hugs for you. You'll be right :thumbsup:

[bigglet]

It could be wind issues - my SIL found this out with her kids that by the end of the day there was a fair buildup of wind which caused them pain.
Does he sometimes pull his legs up towards his stomach?

With my little one sometimes we pushed her legs up and down (like a bicycle movement) to get her to f@rt - it usually helped! And during the day I made sure she burped every during feeds to try and minimise the wind buildup.

I think my SIL also used gripe water to help with the colic.

[mim1]

If he is going rigid and arching his back then it's probably reflux. If he's pulling his legs up to his tummy then it is tummy pain (wind). But, it is normal for a baby of this age to cry for 3 hours a day ... all I can see, is 3 hours is an awfully long time isn't it?

I suggest trying to get plenty of rest during the day and that will help you cope with the crying in the evening much better.

[Africamum]

I know this is going to sound silly and I'm sorry. And I have never had this problem so I dont really know the answer! My niece had this problem and it was terrible for SIL.

You said that bub is better around his bath time. If you bring his bath earlier does that sooth him?

[tru]

...You said that bub is better around his bath time. If you bring his bath earlier does that sooth him?

I just remembered the one thing that would usually always stop DS screaming for a few minutes is a shower with us. The midwives at the hospital told us before we left to just take him in the shower with us instead of baths. He has always prefered showers over baths - but whichever works for you. Might just give you a bit of a break for a few minutes :thumbsup:

[*Sparkles*]

Thanks for the advice. I haven't tried showers so I will give that a go. I'm going to get one of those plastic seats from the baby shop that are for using in a bath or shower.

[Dooce83]

My bubs is 9 weeks old and we are going through the same thing! She definitely soothes in a shower with me, but she will generally just start up again when she is out. It tends to go on and off from 7 til 10 then she will finally feed and sleep, or worst case scenario i have to feed her to sleep. I don't know why it happens, but i hope it really does stop at 3 months!!

[mim1]

Those bath seats for in the bath are fantastic! Josh loves his and I love it cause it saves my back and saves me from worrying that I'm going to have him slip out of my hands!

[dragonflyblu]

Yep, been there not long ago. All I can say is to try white-noise. The shower is a form of white noise, but you can get cd's. We used this for a few weeks and worked almost everytime.

[Mother Duck]

There are few things more grating on your whole self than the sound of your precious one screaming!

So
:hugs:
For you!!!

So much that could be said on this one but to stay short (yeah right) these are the main bits (IMO of course!)...

If it is wind related at all try putting the cot (the bub) up on a bit of an angle

If bubba is one of 'these' (like my DS) that doesn't want to be held then just pop him down in a dark and quiet (ahem, sorry about the punn :o ) place. Make yourself a cuppa and just resolve to sit nearby until he is finished. Don't touch or look into his face etc - just be there in the background and quietly let him know that

There really is a trick to switching the sound off - just think of it as an alarm (fire alarm) - it has gone off, it is loud, it will be a while before you can stop it - but you have checked all that you can and there is no fire! (nappy fine, baby fed, etc etc)

THE BATH - oh yes, yes and yes

Run a bath (if you have one) - in a candle lit room, a few drops of lavender oil in said bath - soothing, calming, a relaxing bath

If you can get in do - but don't overfeed as this will make it worse. Don't even think about poo poos etc, if he does, no big deal just rinse off and no problem

I really believe that this type of screaming and pushing you away is from overstimulation (bubs can't switch off until about 3months old - so cooing and jiggling etc would just make it worse)

Good luck, and as Tru said (never a 'Truer' word!) It will end!

You are doing A WONDERFUL job!!!

:kiss: