Baby arching back/stiffening legs

[DaisyDreamer]

Hi all,

My LO is 2 months (where does the time go??) and has been for the most part wakeful since 2 AM with I'm pretty sure is gas and general fussiness, I think he's maybe gotten 90 minutes actual rest in than 12 hr span (it's 14.00 now)

Anywho I've done everything I can this morning and midi to try to soothe him to sleep: black out curtains, perfect temp in room, swaddling, ski to skin, walking around the house, taking a shower, baby massage, burping, singing, swaying, bouncing, rubbing his belly for gas, letting him be in his Pack n Play, let him cry for a few minutes to get some steam out, patting him while nursing, cycling his legs, nursing, everything I can think of. I know he's gassy because that's usually how it goes when he's got gas, but now he's really overtired.

He will calm down and nurse until his eyes are closed but he wakes so easily I don't think he's asleep? And pretty soon maybe 20 min into the nap he will start kicking and crying. Sometimes he arches his back and stiffens his legs when nursing, even in side-lying , reclining, and cradle positions.

Any advice to help the little guy get to sleep and STAY asleep would be greatly appreciated



ETA: Medications are not an option for me! Tyia

 

[happynewmom1]

The only thing that works for me in that kind of situation is to put her I a wrap and walk around.. Usually if I can get her one long stretch of sleep then at least she isn't so overtired so when I get her asleep again she is more likely to stay asleep longer. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I'm sorry you lo is having a rough time! And you as well. I hope you both are able to get some good rest soon

 

[medic76097]

Curious why you wouldn't consider a medication that would help? If it was beneficial to you're LO then why wouldn't you relive the pain?

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Curious why you wouldn't consider a medication that would help? If it was beneficial to you're LO then why wouldn't you relive the pain?

Personal reasons. OTC/Rx meds aren't the only way to relieve his pain.

The only thing that works for me in that kind of situation is to put her I a wrap and walk around.. Usually if I can get her one long stretch of sleep then at least she isn't so overtired so when I get her asleep again she is more likely to stay asleep longer. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I'm sorry you lo is having a rough time! And you as well. I hope you both are able to get some good rest soon

That seems to work for him as well, though agitated enough he won't settle in the Boba. Last night at some point he dozed off over my shoulder, and stayed asleep a good while. Today has been better but still high needs today. I wonder if he is just not feeling well?
The tummy and foot massages seemed to help his gas for today, it looks like he gets gassy in the wee hours of AM. (probably b/c I'm a little crap at burping him at night )

 

[medic76097]

Does the whole family avoid the use of medication?

 

[happynewmom1]

Curious why you wouldn't consider a medication that would help? If it was beneficial to you're LO then why wouldn't you relive the pain?

Personal reasons. OTC/Rx meds aren't the only way to relieve his pain.

The only thing that works for me in that kind of situation is to put her I a wrap and walk around.. Usually if I can get her one long stretch of sleep then at least she isn't so overtired so when I get her asleep again she is more likely to stay asleep longer. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. I'm sorry you lo is having a rough time! And you as well. I hope you both are able to get some good rest soon

That seems to work for him as well, though agitated enough he won't settle in the Boba. Last night at some point he dozed off over my shoulder, and stayed asleep a good while. Today has been better but still high needs today. I wonder if he is just not feeling well?
The tummy and foot massages seemed to help his gas for today, it looks like he gets gassy in the wee hours of AM. (probably b/c I'm a little crap at burping him at night )

Haha I'm bad about burping her at night too. I understand not wanting to use medications. Those are our last resorts too. I'm glad the messages are helping him some! Instead of the bicycle thing with the legs sometimes I take both legs and bring them up at the same time and this helps her more.. Bring them up and hold a bit and down and then up again. You may have tried that too but it seems to help Aliya. That's a bummer the carrier isn't working well yet! Hopefully he adjusts to it some. Aliya didn't like it at first but she wanted held all the time which just isn't feasible with two other little ones to look after. If she is fussy when I put her in, I will dance her around with a small bounce. Sorry it sounds like you have tried it so this might not be helpful lol it sounds like what you are doing is helping him feel better! I wouldn't have a completely closed mind to medicine if later it gets worse again and doesn't improve but I also know there are more natural ways to help them. It could just be he's a little under the weather.. If that's the case you should keep seeing more improvement. You are doing a great job.. Just keep on giving him cuddles and the massages are good too

 

[DaisyDreamer]

Thanks happynewmom. We do "toes on your nose" (kind of like you were saying) and then extending his hips again, a few times. But what really helps is rubbing his belly button in a clockwise motion. He just woke up to yell and I rubbed his belly that way and he groaned out some toots and went back to sleep Also rubbing his tummy in the "I love you" fashion

https://www.reallyareyouserious.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/How-to-do-the-I-love-you-massage-for-inants-and-babies-with-gas.png

And pedal accupressure

https://acupressurepointsfor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Foot-Reflexology-Chart.jpg

Perhaps this is a growth spurt

 

[happynewmom1]

Thanks happynewmom. We do "toes on your nose" (kind of like you were saying) and then extending his hips again, a few times. But what really helps is rubbing his belly button in a clockwise motion. He just woke up to yell and I rubbed his belly that way and he groaned out some toots and went back to sleep Also rubbing his tummy in the "I love you" fashion

https://www.reallyareyouserious.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/How-to-do-the-I-love-you-massage-for-inants-and-babies-with-gas.png

And pedal accupressure

https://acupressurepointsfor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Foot-Reflexology-Chart.jpg

Perhaps this is a growth spurt

It could be!! I'm really glad you were able to find something that helps him feel better!! Maybe now you both can get a little rest too