Newborn never happy

I would go to the GP just to make sure there isn’t anything else going on ! Not trying to scare you but just to double check ! I’ll hope you’re okay ! Keep going ! You got this 🩵🩷

Hey! You described to the dot my baby boy who is 8 weeks as well, but mine is also really gassy. GP said it’s normal..i am literally exhausted and i want everyday of going to meet friends for a coffee or a walk, but i am scared of taking him or going anywhere besides the park across the street from our house. I don’t know what to do anymore. And during the day he has to be held to sleep, otherwise is just a 10 min nap and crying all over again..

@Bryony thank you, we’ve been so many times and they have just brushed it off really and instead gave me anti depressants 🙃 I keep trying to tell them that I’m only stressed because he is so stressed! Thank you though, we will keep going 😫 x

@Luiza it’s so so rough isn’t it. Mine isn’t even happy in my arms which is heartbreaking because I see other mums able to soothe their baby just with their presence but mine doesn’t even want me. I’ve left so many places in tears because he’s so upset. I’ve been taking him to sensory once a week and he is literally the only baby that cries and hasn’t enjoyed one single part of it. I’m really trying to ‘enjoy every part’ of motherhood but wow, it’s tough when they aren’t happy

Can I ask how did you get his reflux under control? Mine is really suffering atm

@Rachel it was more silent than sick but he was sick a lot too. We’re on comfort milk so it’s thicker to keep it down and we went private to have his tongue tie cut. We pace feed and sit him upright for as long as possible but find that does naff all. He was on baby gaviscon but it constipated him so badly the crying was even worse!! We have tried to wean him off comfort milk but it’s a no go so we are sticking with it for now

Have you heard of the wonder week app? It’s about their mental development and learning new skills. They go through a fussy phase during their new ‘leap’ My baby is 6 weeks old and going through his first leap and seems to be so unhappy when he’s awake. The next one is at 8 weeks.. Just a suggestion, but It puts my mind at ease knowing it’s normal and will soon pass. X

Oh mine only sleeps in my arms after i have rocked him or something! Doesn’t just settle..i know what you mean. It’s exhausting and it’s making me question everything i do, if i am doing things wrong or if i am not good enough for the role..

I feel you! It’s like just when you start to think you’re getting a hang of it, they switch up on you! I’ve just accepted that the trenches are called that for a reason and until she’s a bit older, she’s just going to need a little bit more love and attention. I literally gaslight myself into thinking things - like she wants to contact nap all day long, aww she wants to spend time with me and feel close to me! Oh she’s super fussy going to sleep and too alert - shes so sharp and smart! Oh she hates going in the car or in the stroller - it’s cause it’s all new to her and overwhelming and she wants mama to slowly ease her into it lool I mean it’s easier said then done some days but I just try to spin it in my head so that I too can enjoy this time and not feel it being robbed! My sisters all had “easy” babies so I expected it too but I realized I need to not compare as my baby is mine; she’s special and unique so i shouldn’t try to draw parallels. Again, easier said than done x

It gets better and will end!!! They really do need time to get settled into their bodies and if they are having any issues with digestion/wind/reflux it will make them more unsettled but it will pass. My girl who is now 22 months, was a colicky/upset newborn and we had feeding issues due to a tongue tie and she couldn’t be put down so everything felt so hard and I resented anyone saying ‘enjoy every moment’ because we were not having an enjoyable time. From 12ish weeks she was getting better and became the happiest baby and crying became way less frequent. This baby has been similar too and it does get you down but I know it won’t be forever. Also planned sensory time is only really needed from 12+ weeks. Right now a nappy change is a sensory experience so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. And a big one - make sure they are sleeping and not getting overtired! This will make them scream cry. Up for 45-90mins at this age and may need a lot of coaxing into sleep.

@Rochelle I have and I clung onto it for the first leap but sadly he’s just been upset pretty much from the second he was born ☹️ I can remember one good day so far and honestly that’s it! It’s not even the lack of sleep that’s getting to me anymore, just the constant crying and unsettled days

@Mona I love this outlook! Part of me is trying to get off TikTok and instagram because I spend my entire life trying to find solutions and all I end up seeing are babies at 8 weeks who are settling themselves to sleep 😂 it’s killing me! I should definitely try spinning it a bit more (saying this as he’s just gone down for 5 mins so I’m feeling positive 😂😂)

@Lauren my mum said my brother was the same and 12 weeks was the turning point, I guess I’m feeling pessimistic because it’s been so so bad up until now I just can’t imagine him changing. We also have colicky/reflux and had a tongue tie issue so I totally feel you. I guess it’s partly a situation where I need to wait it out Thank you x

It’s totally understandable to feel down about it and not be able to see past right now. It’s hard! When everyone told me it was a phase that would pass with my girl, it was hard to really believe them until I’d experienced it myself. Now for this baby, I can handle it better even though still hard at times because I have actually lived through it. So as much me and others will tell you it’s going to get better and pass, it’s only that it doesn’t instantly make you feel ok because it’s not your experience yet and you still have to deal with the hard now. Definitely don’t watch videos online - babies settling to sleep themselves is not normal at this age. Most of what you see online is a split second of a day and not reality! We have the Your Baby, Week by Week book and would recommend this as it paints a much more realistic picture for each week. Your baby is acting within the ‘normal’ range for a newborn, we just don’t see this portrayed as much. Try not to compare!