At wits end with my screaming 6 month old

I see that you tried PPIs. Didn’t they work? It sounds like he needs one to me. If he is screaming that much he sounds like he is in pain to me. I hope you get some relief soon!

Zantac is super weight-sensitive. The second a baby gains weight, they outgrow the dose. They also get to a point where they plateau on it, and can’t get a dose high enough. As far as PPI’s go, I don’t know why they would hurt him. I have seen on here that the Solutabs have lactose in them. I wonder if other PPIs have hidden lactose in them, and if Zaine can’t handle lactose, that could explain it. I’d look into that end of it if I were you. Also, do you have a GI? They know all about this stuff.

Good Luck!

My son screamed all day long until he was 3.5 months old and I just put him in his crib and walked away. He screamed for 1 hour straight and then FINALLY slept for 2 hours!!!

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE WHAT LACK OF SLEEP CAN DO TO A CHILD.

You must do all you can to get them to sleep. I don’t believe it is the reflux….The reflux may have started the sleep deficit, but I’d bet anything he’s screaming in anger, because he’s over-tired. (the not wanting to be held is a big tip off to being over-tired and over-stimulated)

There is definitley a link between reflux and the inability to FALL asleep. The only thing that I’ve found that works it “cry it out” (sometimes that applies to the mom too-I know it did for me). But after he sleeps, he’ll be a completely different happy baby. Once they get over-tired, it’s hard to reverse, because their systems gets so wound up – it’s like their on crack or something. I know I’m an angry screaming mess when I’m over-tired. I think the same thing applies to our children.

Just my 2 cents…I don’t think letting a child w/ reflux issues at 6 months just let it cry it out is the answer. I’d at least wait & talk to my doctor to see what their opinion is. I would get to the root of the issue, it seems like the Zantac is no longer working…there was relief for some time. So, try a new med. With the other PPI’s, how long was he on them? It can take up to 2 weeks to see changes.

Another thought could also be the Alimentum, how is the rest of his GI tract doing? Excess gas, odd bm’s, etc. anything like that going on?

Once you feel like he is comfortable, meds & all are again working, then go for the sleep training, IF you are comfortable with it. Here is a link on Ferber info (I did it with my now 5 year old when she was around a year old & it went great). http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/7755.html. The Ferber method stresses offering reassurance during the hour(s) it may take for your child to fall asleep–even while they are screaming. I don’t think it is healthy to let your child (any age) scream for one hour by themselves. Yes, lack of sleep can lead to many problems, but the screaming can lead to more, in my opinion. Aside from emotional issues, it can give the baby gas, a sore throat, & cause them to throw up. For a child with reflux, that’s just adding insult to injury. Until I was 100% certain the reflux was taken care of, I’d try to get by as best I could (invest in a sling!! an exercise ball to hold your baby while you sit, bouncing on the ball…try different types of music, vibration, heat pads, walks outside do some babies wonder, massage, etc.). If you are at your wit’s end, it is okay to put your child down for a while (15 mins or so) so you can have a break. Do you have a good support system? If you have family or friends around, ask them to help you out. Make sure you are taking some mommy time & rest.

Thinking of you & hoping you get some answers SOON! Hope Zaine feels better! (((HUGS)))

Zaine’sMommy wrote: His GI already told me not to let him CIO.As he cries until he coughs and throws up.And yes this child has the worse gas he will grunt ALL night long.But his GI said ohhh he’ll outgrow that and that’s it.Which I HATE because you would think something could be done about that.The grunting keeps everyone up at night.It’s really sad

First, let me say I’m SOOO glad your doc advised you against CIO. I did not want to come out 100% against it (touchy topic here!! LOL!), but for refluxers & other special needs kiddos, I am. There have been reports/studies that letting babies w/ GERD CIO only makes their condition worse. I believe it…after Emma has a test or something & is crying for a little bit, she’ll wretch & be so uncomfortable (post-fundo, so usually no vomiting).

With the gas, if it continues, I would trial Neocate. Our GI put Emma on it at 4 mos & didn’t have us bother with the Alimentum & Nutramigen trials. I’m so thankful–it saved us a lot of time & brought relief much sooner to Emma. Are you doing solids? Emma’s reflux always worsened when we trialed solids. When you see your GI stress to him how bad the gas is & the screaming. You may even straight out ask him about Neocate & see what he says. At this point, I’d think it’s worth a shot.

Sorry to hear it’s just you & dh, and that dh can’t handle the crying. The days are long & tedious, I remember them well. I hope you find an answer soon & that maybe some of our ideas here will help some. I mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again–SLINGS! I love my hotslings…they are GREAT! Baby loves them, but also they ease your back & let you get a few things done. (((HUGS)))

hi there,

I’m late chiming in…

Never to late to babywear– here’s all about it:Babywearing: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1044&a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;PN=1

and here’s What Formula for my gerdling?

An overview of available formulas: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4394&a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;amp;PN=1&TPN=1

and here’s Prevacid 101(scroll down to the last purple post): https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1936&a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;PN=0&TPN=1

as for getting baby out of the swing- first I’d address meds & formula

~laura