I have an extremely cranky, screaming (not crying), non sleeping DD. I'm lost as to what to do. I've tried everything. She's clingy, and just plain not happy. Will fight sleep like I've never seen before. Including her crying with her eyes closed the other night. She feeds non stop. I don't have a supply issue, plenty available. So, could it be my milk? Would formula make a difference?
I can't get anything done at home because she just cries. DH is cranky and thinks I'm lazy because house isn't in shape. I'm upset because not only DD is bothering me because I don't know what is wrong with her and even worse becuase he thinks I'm failing telling me we won't be having any more kids if I can't handle one.
DD has been the same - I am thinking it is a growth spurt (but my DD was prem so tends to have a few growth spurts - not always when I expect them) I just tell my DP to sod off and try to do as much as I can but mostly I tend to DD when she is like that - lots of unrestricted booby access.
These phases are trying and if you have someone who can come over for a few hours and give you a hand you will feel much better - I know it helps me.
Thanks TK. This has been going on for a little while and I thought it was a passing phase but its starting to feel like a habit now. DD was also a bit prem, not heaps but responded as a 33 weeker would as we were told in NSCN. She has reflux. But is medicated so I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it also. So much through my head, I'm so tired. Thanks again.
Oh Ellee not very nice of your hubby to say those things. He needs a swift kick up the bum!
I don't think it could be your milk but you could always try eliminating various foods and drinks to see if anything could be the culprit. When I was BF'ing DS I know that if I drank orange juice it upset his tummy and made him cranky. I don't think formula would change things either.
Do you use a sling? Maybe you can carry her around the house in a sling and that way she is close to you and you have your hands free to chuck on a load of washing or do the dishes etc. And the movements of you walking around might help soothe her?
She could be going through a growth spurt like TK says. She's not far off the recommend age for starting solids so she may just be gearing up for that.
It's hard isn't it trying to manage everything. Try not to worry about the housework and what your hubby says. It won't last forever!
DS was like this at 5m. Formula made it worse... but then, we found later he's intolerant of cow's milk (I was easily able to do both breast and formula, then after 2 months go back to breast only for DS's milk needs). He calmed down when we started solids, but I did have two weeks of clinginess and up all nightness before he just grabbed my apple and ate it. Slings didn't work for us at this point because it was just a food thing. If you have a plentiful supply it may not be a food issue though.
Formula might make a difference, but it equally might not and you would be risking the health problems that sometimes accompany it. Once you make the switch it is hard to switch back again so I would try other avenues before making any decision to use formula.
My advice would be to buy a good ring sling, and use it all the time. At least then you can carry her and still use your hands. Also as you say you have heaps of milk, maybe it is coming too fast for her. Try to recline, even slightly, when feeding her and see if this slows it down which might help if her tummy is unsettled.
Also have you tried giving her a massage which might help her feel connected to you and also more relaxed.
Sounds like a "growth spurt" or "wonder week" - one of those times when all they want to do is feed and grizzle and not sleep - I think we are just coming out of one here.
So in answer to your question - formula prob won't make a difference! I try to keep telling myself "this too shall pass" (and whine on BB for some support and advice )
Also, maybe you could express and leave your DD home with your DH for a few hours to make him realise what you are dealing with!!!
Would formula make any difference?
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