Josh has always been such a good baby, but starting this week he is crying it seems non-stop. I don't know if it is because he got out of his routine when my stepmom came to visit over the weekend, or because I am not BF as much as I was because my nipples are SO sore! He seems to want to nurse constantly and is not happy with the bottle (which is nice since he used to perfer the bottle over me). I just don't know what to do, I don't know if it is colic or if he is upset about not BF as much as he would like or is just upset about whatever.

Well..I think I may have more insight to your sore nipples/latch on problems. He's awfully young to be going between bottle and breast. *Some* babies can do that without issue, but the majority can't.
But why he's now preferring you to the bottle ... who knows ... that's babies for ya ; )

Anywho..if he had settled into a routine and it was recently disrupted, sure, that could have him askew and fussy. He could just be entering a growth spurt (it's that time) and therefore just generally a fuss bucket and that could possibly explain his preference for the breast. Just that extra comfort and coziness from mom. ??

Just my thoughts.

Sorry. Hang in there, you'll get through it : )

He could also be having reflux issues....causes crying, doesn't always cause spitup...just pain if laying down with the acid rising.....

I remember that at around 6 weeks ds got really cryie and we couldn't do anything to stop him. I read that 6 weeks is the peak of the crying and can be caused by over stimulation...just a thought...

ok I had a thought, I have noticed that around this time he has had drooling. I checked for teeth....yes a little early and mom a little paranoid and at her wits end...but I didn't feel any. could that be related to upset tummy. I am still thinking maybe just out of routine and growing like Tara said.

Just wondering, are you not usng the nipple shield anymore? My LC said there was no harm in continuing with it, and that it may even help to reduce confusion when it comes to eating from the bottle when it comes time to go back and forth... as I will be doing starting two weeks from now. Anyway, the shield has made all the difference for our BF issues.

Praying 4 U and Baby Josh.

I would second trying a nipple shield if you aren't already. It was so helpful with our BF babies in the beginning. Weeks 6-12 were also the fussiest phase for our babies. Unexplained crying (dry diaper, not hungry, etc) decreased noticeably after this point. Disruptions in routine can cause fussiness also. Try keeping him upright for 20-30 mins after feeding and see if this helps. This will help you figure out if it's a reflux issue. Hang in there!
Beth

Josh ended up weening himself off the nipple sheild he really seems to hate anything fake (NS, paci, bottle) when I try to use the NS he will slide himself down to the very tip and that is even more painful since all the pain is already on the tip. I went to a parenting conference today and took Josh with me and BF him only. He actually did pretty good, my nipples are still sore but I just pray through it. He is less fussy today and I think it is because I held him all day. I had been trying to put him down more during the day so I could do things, and I think that had upset him and maybe caused him to be fussy. Holding him all day really seemed to calm him down (he didn't even cry during the conference and it was 7 hours long!!!) and then tonight he wouldn't fall into a deep sleep (he kept peeking at me to see if I was still there) for a few hours because I think he was worried I would put him down. So I don't know, maybe thats it maybe it's not...I don't know how I am going to get anything done during the day if it is. oh well I guess I should just enjoy it.

Forgive me if you've answered this already, but have you tried a sling with him yet? Since you get some extended time off, the sling may be perfect for working around the house and still having him with you. Just wondering.

Just sent you a PM as well. ; )

That's interesting about the NS, that he would keep moving to the tip... : / That's a tough one.

As for survival at the conference, WOW, he didn't cry the whole 7 hours?!? Awesome! We'll pray for some more time like that. ; )

Alison

I have been thinking about a sling, don't have the money for one though and don't feel like I have the time to make one. I do have an ERGO (a carrier) but since it is in the front it is hard to do dishes which stinks. Also I tend to forget to take him out after a while because he would sleep all day in it if I let him, but I think I am going to try it again tomorrow and set a timer so I get his playtime in.

Both my boys started getting teeth really early - it took me a while to figure out what was going on with Alex bec he was my first, but with Sebastian I knew right away what all the drooling and fussin was about, even though I didn't feel the bumps in his gums until a few weeks later - he is "nursing" on my elbow for comfort right now, lol. Have you changed anything in your diet lately? That could also irritate him, but so could any of the other things mentioned. It can be so frustrating not to know - praying everything is ok and that you either figure it out or he outgrows it soon.

Whatever it turns out to be, I am glad babywearing is working to soothe the both of you : )

Sorry you're going through a rough time - I know how frustrating it is when you can't seem to figure out what's wrong and can't get into a sense of "normalcy". hang in there! - and make sure you get a break away from your baby now and then! I know it's tough to do! but really necessary for your own sanity.

I think you are ok on letting him go back and forth at this age. My doctor told me at 4 weeks to give DS a bottle and even though we cried thru the whole first one I was glad I did because at week six I had gallbladder issues and couldn't nurse for several days and then had surgery and we had to get back together on the nursing after that.

DS would cry about and hour after he had finished eating and the only thing that seemed to help was me pounding him on the back, singing and dancing around the whole time. I also gave him some gas drops. The Dr. said he could have them every time he had eaten. I was not aware of them while this was going on, but I heard that there are some really good pricey drops to dry. I think it is called Collic Calm or Gripe Water. I think Lady Lavender may have been the one to use them on her first child. I can't remember.

It may be worth looking into. If we ever had a second child, I would invest in those.

Good luck!

I love gripe water! such a life saver. Josh's crying has goten better these last couple days. I think it was in part because of gas and I was trying to do things and not hold him. so between babywearing and gripe water things are going better.