Fussy fussy fussy

[New mom]

Hi! I'm a new mom and had a healthy baby boy 5 weeks ago. I feel like I'm not enjoying our son because all he does is cry and fuss (not actively wailing but ramping up to it). I am going crazy wondering if it's a medical issue like gerd or some sort of allergy. He's bf so I'm trying to cut out caffine which is super terrible. I feel so disappointed that this is our experience and then guilty for feeling that way. The only way he'll stop crying is when we turn the vacuum cleaner on. I am so jealous of moms with happy babies and easy babies. I'm worried about what kind of child he'll turn into.. Will he always be so demanding and fussy? Will he have emotional or behavioral problems down the line? It's really taking a toll on me and I feel like no one understands. Just wanted to vent and commiserate with anyone else who hears me...

[ariasmom]

He will be a great kid. Colic babies DO grow out of it. I absolutely love my daughter now and everyone thinks she is the happiest baby ( cracks me up)
Also try the blow dryer
Get yourself some coffee a big fat cup. You deserve it and I bet you he will cry whether you drink it of not. Your gonna be sleep deprived anyway, at least have some caffeine. I did elimination diet. Did not work for me
You have to find the humor in it as sick as it is.
It'll end it'll end I swear it!!!!!
Take a walk, babies love fresh air.
Earplugs!!!!!
This is temporary.

[New mom]

Thanks for the encouragement. It helps to know that things will get better. It's just so hard right now... Trying to stay positive! We have him on Zantac but I don't think it's really doing anything..

[ariasmom]

Have you ever seen the show Portlandia?
No links on here, so on you tube search "Portlandia baby books" for a good laugh.

[ariasmom]

It is hard going through it, to even think about the 3 month mark or even a week seems like an eternity. Try to only focus on the day you are in and don't think too much about the future, it really will all work out eventually trust me.

[OceanJulie]

Sister, I TOTALLY hear you. My son had SEVERE colic (if you could even call it that). He cried from the time he woke up in the morning until the time he went to sleep at night. He was soooo uncomfortable and NOTHING I did helped him. I literally paced around the house, shushing, rocking, swaying, singing, wearing, everything I could for the first 4.5 months. I was MISERABLE. Especially since I had waited so long to have him. I too, worried, was this going to be his temperament? Was he just a miserable soul? But after 5 months, all of a sudden, his tummy got settled and he is truly a COMPLETELY different boy!!! What worked for us was: 1) switching from breastfeeding (even though I was doing a VERY strict dairy-free diet) to a hypoallergenic formula (Similac Alimentum) 2) having him sleep in a "nap nanny" (it's like a baby lounger chair but for use on a secure place or floor only) and 3) baby acupuncture. He was a COMPLETELY new baby within 48 hours. It was CRAZY. The nap nanny helps with reflux because they are elevated. Just make sure you are placing the nap nanny on the floor or in a very secure place where baby can not tip off of it. We used ours until 5.5 months old and he slept 11 hours a night! I have heard that some babies do not grow out of stomach issues until a year. We tried to switch our guy to a less expensive formula at 6.5 months but he is still not able to tolerate it yet. So we will wait a few more months and try again. It is expensive but sooooooo worth it!
Please know you are not alone. I remember reading these threads all day and night just looking to see if ANYONE understood what I was going through. Also, the book "Happiest baby on the block" helped me. If you want the book or a nap nanny, let me know. I bought a few of each to help other moms in need! I will mail either or both to you just because I have been in your shoes. I REALLY promise it will get better. And even though it seems SOOOOO far away, it will one day be the day. I marked the calendar every day knowing we were getting closer to the 3-4 month mark!