Wriggly, Moany, Crying Baby..

[JacksonsMom]

Hi, im a new mum to my beautiful 10 weeks old baby boy. And im a self confessed worrier. . Im lucky enough to have an incredibly quiet baby.. so what that changes, its gives me cause for concern. He had his first jabs at 8weeks+6days. And was off it for a couple of days after which I understand is normal.. then he was fine.. but for the last 3 days hes been even more fidgety than usual, moans to himself while hes wriggling and more often than not cries after a couple of minutes.. hes also a very gassy baby and I have no trouble getting wind up usually so I was just curious as to if its normal?.. his dad and grandparent believe him to be fine.. but I cant help myself. Any ideas?? As I dont want to annoy my doc with every little thing. .
Thanks

[China Doll]

.... Constipation? (not sighing at you, just that I'm hearing more about poo recently than I really ever thought I would!)

[roopower]

It's normal to worry and be concerned about your baby - my daughter was texting and on the phone all the time.It sounds as though your baby is a bit colicky, you've mentioned that he is gassy.Are you seeing a health visitor at all? If so, mention your concerns to her - that's what she's there for and she's seen it all! You also mentioned that your baby has just had his first jabs, I don't think that has anything to do with what you see as his problem now. Try not to worry, enjoy your baby - believe me, in what seems like a very short time he'll grown up!

[JacksonsMom]

Certainly not constipated!.. im trying not to worry.. I planned of having 2 close together bit think im sticking with the one cos its stressing me out worrying.. ill try and get in touch with my hv.. not sure if anyone will answer phones over the weekend.. and going away next week so hoping I can sort him out..

[sherrardk]

He might be teething or he might be picking up on your anxiety. Try to relax around him and see if he calms down a bit.

[pixie373]

Colic? Does he bring his knees up to his stomach when he cries?

[tonyav]

Gripe water.

[roopower]

Sadly, mums are told not to give gripe water to young babies these days - I really don't know how children managed to survive with all the things we did that are now frowned on.

[ladyalex]

I'm inclined to agree with sherrardk that he may be starting to teethe.
Is he dribbling a bit and are his cheeks red ?
It's not impossible that he is reacting a wee bit to his jabs of eight days ago, so keep an eye on his temperature.

[tonyav]

I didn't know that, roopower. Wonder why though. Thanks.

[pixie373]

I think it's because those 'in the know' just like to change the rules on a daily basis. I can't count how many people I know that have used gripe water for small babies!

[tonyav]

Same here Pixie, very strange though I think.

[ladyalex]

I certainly used it...absolutely no ill effects. And know of many others who also used it.
Mind you, I think laudanum was the medicine of choice for victorian babies who were grizzly, so maybe the Powers the Be have it right about gripe water too.
Fennel seed tea cooled and sweetened is good for windy babies...unless that's been banned too....

[roopower]

There are all sorts of things that are different now. My daughter was told to give her baby a dummy as it keeps the air ways open and could help to prevent cot death. She can't remember what the health visitor said about gripe water. It's a shame about that - I loved the stuff!

[pixie373]

And lying babies on their backs. Colicky babies are happier on their fronts

[roopower]

I like the idea of cooled fennel tea, haven't heard that before. My grandson doesn't have problems with wind, thank goodness - just sleeping!

[tonyav]

My mom used gripe water when my brother and I were babies and my wife used gripe water with our three kids, no ill effects I can remember the taste now, lovely.

[tamborine]

Give him lots of movement by carrying him with you while awake. That will help gas. Is he bottle or breast? HV is best to assess him. Dont stress your instincts are best for him x

[ladyalex]

I've just googled fennel tea to see if I could find a link....and found out that you can buy fennel tea commercially now. I just used to pour boiled water onto fennel seeds then strain the liquid after a few minutes.
Wikipedia agrees with me about it being good for getting rid of wind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennel#Intestinal_tract

[roopower]

Sorry, Jackson'sMom, got carried away on a tide of gripe water. See how your baby goes for a day or two, obviously if he gets a temperature or you feel he's worse get in touch with your doctor. I'm sure he/she will be fine about it, they know how new mum's worry. as someone has already said, babies can pick up anxiety from their mum so try not to be too stressed.

[ferlew]

DIL used Fennel tea for both hers, me?, I used Nurse Harvey's too, good stuff.