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How Can I Keep A Newborn From Being Fussy While Awake?

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Posted on Thu, 28 May 2015
Question: How can you keep a newborn from being fussy while awake. The baby is being breastfeed. We have tried swing, rocking in arms -holding tightly, dancing with her and marching? She is being swaddled at night which works during night but daytime is rough. If mom holds her after nursing she will be ok for 1-2 hours but when she wakes she is ok then gets extremely fussy every time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ralf Von Seckendorff (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can be normal, can also be back contracture, try 'white noises'

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,

babys are all very different, some are quiet, some fuss a lot, and partly for no obvious reason no matter what one tries. You have tried a lot of things that usually help as experienced mother. Sometimes babys who fuss more than usual have back pain due to contracture. If possible a pediatrician should have a look at it and sometimes a one time appointment with a physical therapy or osteopathy can work wonders if there is a blockage that can be loosened.
I am currently raising twins and have a similar problem with one of them (the other one is mostly quiet...): When nothing else works, i wrap the little one in a tight blanket, lay him on the stomach (careful with that only under regular supervision, not when mother sleeps since theoretical higher sudden infant death risk) and then switch on a loud noise like vacuum or hair dryer. That always does it in the end, even if carrying him in a baby carrier close to me doesn't help anymore. There is videos on youtube with vac and hairdryer noises (saves you energy costs), even with womb-like sounds, those also work great. You might want to try that as last option, and also get the baby checked by a doc if there is any condition like back or stomach pain which could be treated.

Hope this is helping you , if you have any clarificatons you can get back to me, if this was helpful please kindly rate my answer. Best regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ralf Von Seckendorff (50 minutes later)
Thanks for your help - the baby has been seen several times since birth and the doctor hasn't been able to suggest anything different. Your take on putting the baby wrapped on her stomach would be the next thing to try. Does this help with gas -what is theory behind it being more like in the womb?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ralf Von Seckendorff (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Womb like sounds also advisable

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,

yes the noise part as described above is also important, try youtube, type in "womb sound" "vacuum baby" "hairdryer baby", probably imitates uterus noise.

With gas there is suppositories for example from weleda which also are said to be effective. Laying on teh stomach is also a better position to burp (again, always check on the baby occasionally with that position). Also hold on leg up shortly diametral to other shoulder (bend in knee), then switch side, releases gas also.

Best regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Ralf Von Seckendorff

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 535 Questions

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How Can I Keep A Newborn From Being Fussy While Awake?

Brief Answer: Can be normal, can also be back contracture, try 'white noises' Detailed Answer: Dear patient, babys are all very different, some are quiet, some fuss a lot, and partly for no obvious reason no matter what one tries. You have tried a lot of things that usually help as experienced mother. Sometimes babys who fuss more than usual have back pain due to contracture. If possible a pediatrician should have a look at it and sometimes a one time appointment with a physical therapy or osteopathy can work wonders if there is a blockage that can be loosened. I am currently raising twins and have a similar problem with one of them (the other one is mostly quiet...): When nothing else works, i wrap the little one in a tight blanket, lay him on the stomach (careful with that only under regular supervision, not when mother sleeps since theoretical higher sudden infant death risk) and then switch on a loud noise like vacuum or hair dryer. That always does it in the end, even if carrying him in a baby carrier close to me doesn't help anymore. There is videos on youtube with vac and hairdryer noises (saves you energy costs), even with womb-like sounds, those also work great. You might want to try that as last option, and also get the baby checked by a doc if there is any condition like back or stomach pain which could be treated. Hope this is helping you , if you have any clarificatons you can get back to me, if this was helpful please kindly rate my answer. Best regards