Is this screaming normal?

[Feisty Fidget]

My DD is 11 weeks old and seems to scream and cry constantly. We suspected colic and both the GP and health visitor just said if it is she'll outgrow it, but now I'm worried it may be something else.
She will go from fine to full blown melt down in a nano second and screams so violently we're sure she is going to hurt herself.
I'm getting to the point where I don't want to take her out as I'm sick of all the staring and "advice" from strangers.
Friends babies are so quiet in comparison! When my LO starts with a melt down the other babies will look at her in shock as it's so intense and often.
We've treated her for colic, but nothing seems to help or stop the screaming. I can sometimes get her to settle, but only if it's me holding her and constantly bouncing on her yoga ball. She sleeps really well over night which is why I'm starting to question colic. I have to work from home and at the moment this is impossible as when she's passed go anyone else she meltdowns within 10 minutes. DH is becoming increasingly frustrated and has started raising his voice at her which just stresses me out even more. She will only tolerate the sling if she's content, which is hardly ever.
I'm scared that this angry, screaming, quick temper is her permenant personality.

 

[Take2]

Are you breastfeeding?

 

[Feisty Fidget]

Are you breastfeeding?

Yes we are. Weve had a few issues with BF but things are finally settled.

 

[loeylo]

Could it maybe be an allergy to something in your diet?

Is she screaming during feeds?

The reason I ask is because around the same age my wee one was the exact same, she was bottle fed and not breast but it turns out she was allergic to cows milk which is used in the formula.

 

[Take2]

I asked for the same reason, I'm breastfeeding my 5 week old and since giving up dairy she has stopped her all day screaming..worth a try?

 

[happynewmom1]

I've also given up dairy and caffeine because my dd was crying so much and screaming in the evenings. It was exhausting and I felt so badly for her. Thankfully cutting these two things out has made her much calmer and happier! I definitely think it would be worth a shot to give up dairy for a bit and see if it helps.

 

[Feisty Fidget]

Thanks everyone for the dairy advice. I did raise this with a lactation consultant a month ago and she doesn't feel it is this as there are no other signs and there seems to be no link with her crying and feeding schedule.

I've finally given in and decided to see a chiropractor with her Thursday to get her checked over. I really hope they can shed some light on this as it's becoming soul destroying. I want to be able to bond and enjoy my baby, not fear she is going to go off every five seconds.

 

[noon_child]

My LO screamed because she was overtired. She never seemed tired but breastfeeding was difficult at first and it used to take a long time. By the time she was finished she was almost already too tired, and I thought I was supposed to spend some time playing with her/talking to her (I didn't realise how frequently some babies were napping).

She also wouldn't tolerate the sling if she was upset before she went in. Idon't have any advice how to encourage more naps though as my LO was a fighter to the end, however she did seem to learn to cope a bit better with over tiredness, and I used to give her "rest" time in the sling (made sure I put her in when she was already calm) even if she wouldn't sleep I would limit her stimulation.

 

[Feisty Fidget]

My LO screamed because she was overtired. She never seemed tired but breastfeeding was difficult at first and it used to take a long time. By the time she was finished she was almost already too tired, and I thought I was supposed to spend some time playing with her/talking to her (I didn't realise how frequently some babies were napping).

She also wouldn't tolerate the sling if she was upset before she went in. Idon't have any advice how to encourage more naps though as my LO was a fighter to the end, however she did seem to learn to cope a bit better with over tiredness, and I used to give her "rest" time in the sling (made sure I put her in when she was already calm) even if she wouldn't sleep I would limit her stimulation.

Great minds! I took her upstairs to the nursery this afternoon and closed the blinds. I then sat us in the rocking chair and read to her. She was fighting, but eventually settled down to nap. I couldn't move her (sneakily tried and she woke up) but at least she was silent!

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get anything done, but at least the house has been a tiny bit quieter and calmer today.

 

[SpringCrane]

My first was like this. Gosh, it was awful. I feel for you! We would have to be in a dark room, swaddle him tightly, "shush" VERY loudly, and bounce aggressively on the ball to settle him. I would spend the entire day on that damn ball.

We never really found a solution or cause. It was just deemed to be colic. But perhaps it was because he did outgrow it. I'd be making something up if I gave you the age he outgrew it because I honestly have no clue... seems like something I'd remember, but I guess my brain was fried by then.

I was also working from home and it was so, so hard. No advice, I'm sorry! But I really feel for you and for how hard it is. Hang in there, and I hope you find a solution soon!

 

[MindUtopia]

I can't recommend enough another try with the wrap. Maybe get yourself to a sling meet or get some help with it as it could be she's uncomfortable because the fit isn't right? The wrap was a godsend for us when our daughter went through a time like this around that age. The key really is to try to get them in while they are still content, go outside and walk around for a bit. That usually always settled her eventually. Then I could come inside and get some work done while she dozed.

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

She sounds EXACTLY like my DD2.

We were diagnosed with colic & constipation around 3 weeks old. She screamed from 4pm everyday without fail and when she would stop was anybody's guess. In the times that she screamed she didn't feed. On more than one occasion she would go 12+ hours on an oz here or there. Slight difference to your situation in that we're formula feeders but her flatulance stunk to high heaven and caused her pain, she wouldn't settle with anyone me included and everytime she finally went to sleep it was only becuase she'd screamed for so long she wore herself out. Aside from the flatulance and struggling to poo we had no other symptoms. My DH was getting frustrated with me because all I did was cry so he marched her down to the Drs and ran through everything. He came out of the appointment with a prescription for nutramigen formula and an diagnosises of lactose intolerance/dairy allergy.

That was nearly 2 weeks ago and we haven't had a screaming fit since. I don't know how it works with BFing as of course it's totally different but please don't think that just because there aren't any symptoms that there isn't an intolerance or allergy of some type. I know that sounds patronising and I honestly don't mean it to be but I did the exact same thing. My niece is on the same milk for CMPA and my SIL kept telling me that what was happening wasn't right but I was like you, I didn't see any symptoms so I didn't think there was a problem other than I just had a vocal baby. Even when the Dr did an examination, physically she was fine.

For us the nutramigen has been a complete and utter miracle. DD is a different baby, the whole family is much happier and after 3 days on the milk she started smiling

 

[noon_child]

My LO screamed because she was overtired. She never seemed tired but breastfeeding was difficult at first and it used to take a long time. By the time she was finished she was almost already too tired, and I thought I was supposed to spend some time playing with her/talking to her (I didn't realise how frequently some babies were napping).

She also wouldn't tolerate the sling if she was upset before she went in. Idon't have any advice how to encourage more naps though as my LO was a fighter to the end, however she did seem to learn to cope a bit better with over tiredness, and I used to give her "rest" time in the sling (made sure I put her in when she was already calm) even if she wouldn't sleep I would limit her stimulation.

Great minds! I took her upstairs to the nursery this afternoon and closed the blinds. I then sat us in the rocking chair and read to her. She was fighting, but eventually settled down to nap. I couldn't move her (sneakily tried and she woke up) but at least she was silent!

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to get anything done, but at least the house has been a tiny bit quieter and calmer today.

Get anything done! haha that made me laugh, you joker

No but seriously it doesn't last forever. Right now she IS your job, and you don't get sick leave, holiday pay, or to clock of at 5pm. So if anyone asks you what you have done all day you can tell them "I kept two human beings alive!"

 

[Feisty Fidget]

I can't recommend enough another try with the wrap. Maybe get yourself to a sling meet or get some help with it as it could be she's uncomfortable because the fit isn't right? The wrap was a godsend for us when our daughter went through a time like this around that age. The key really is to try to get them in while they are still content, go outside and walk around for a bit. That usually always settled her eventually. Then I could come inside and get some work done while she dozed.

We've started to try a new routine with her in the sling for early afternoon nap (she sleeps until 9/10am) and then upstairs in nursery for late afternoon/early evening nap. Sadly she only managed 40 minutes of napping in the sling, although she was wide awake in it for 30 minutes before that. I had to bounce on that bloody ball to get her off to sleep. I am going to look up my next sling meet as I'm not sure she's comfy in there! x

 

[Feisty Fidget]

I just wanted to update this thread incase anyone came upon it via google or the sites search. It turns out there was a very valid reason for the screaming and sadly it had nothing to do with being over-tired. She screamed so much because she was in constant pain. Our beautiful daughter has an extreme milk protein allergy, she's also sensitive to soy and beef.

My diet was made up mainly of dairy (it's my favourite food group!) and so I was unwittingly hurting her every time she breastfed

We saw a chiropractor who took one look at her green nappy (originally we were told it was a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance) and listened to our description of her screaming, along with a GP, HV and midwife 'diagnosis' as colic and said it was probably a sensitivity to dairy.

I took it out of my diet completely and we saw a huge improvement within a day or two. At 11 weeks old we finally managed to sit on the floor with her and play for more than two minutes, I seriously could have cried at just how amazing it was to be able to finally enjoy precious playtime with her.

Her constant sorrowful look disappeared and she is no so smiley and vocal! She had a minor relapse when I had a week with a lot of beef and soy, we then realised she could be sensitive to this too (the dairy protein structure is similar to what is found in these two foods) and I've cut those out and she's fine.

I know it isn't always a dairy sensitivity that causes these things, but I would say that if you are at all struggling like us and are just told it's colic then perhaps think about cutting out dairy from your diet for two weeks or seek advice about trialing a milk protein free formula.

 

[noon_child]

So glad you managed to find a reason for her unhappiness