My ds is five months old and we are having a problem with his constnt crying. He is rarely happy unless we are holding him. He can have all his needs taken care of and otherwise is fine but if I put him down he cry's until we pick him up. He has a bouncey seat and a swing-neither helps much. We don't pick him up right away- he has the staying power of a champ. How young is too young to let him cry like this.I know that about a month ago he started to teeth (two bottom front). The added problem is my five year old who is PPD-NOS and is having problems with the crying. From my past experience by this age he should be able to amuse himself for a short while. Help!

By Tink on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 10:04 pm:

Hi Jenn. My dd wasn't much of a crier but, when she did, it always bothered my ds (also on the autism spectrum). I found that she actually prefered her tummy to her back. We found a brightly colored blanket with mirrors, teething rings, etc to keep her occupied and would surround her with more toys. Have you tried one of those "crib gyms", I think some call them? My oldest liked hers a lot, although my other two couldn't be bothered with it. I think we started the exersaucer around that age, too. HTH

By Hlgmom on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 10:10 pm:

Do you have a sling? He may just be a high need baby and the sling can work wonders! Check out www.askdrsears.com there is a wealth of info on how to deal with this. My dd was the same way- no swing, no bouncy...the sling was an absolute lifesaver- The "over the shoulder baby holder" is a great one. You can also just google baby sling. Feel free to email me directly if you want to talk about any of this in detail! hlgmom@hotmail.com

By Kim on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 11:34 pm:

I'm with Heather.....my three other kids are needy kids with diagnoses and while I could usually zone it out they never could (still cannot). I had a sling for the kids and LOVED it. DD screamed for up to six hours a night. She had GERD and also an inherent over-sensitive nature. That sling saved our sanity many times. It was the same recommended by Dr Sears, the NoJo. I got mine at Target. For my dd, the closeness to me, the security of the sling surrounding her and the constant movement are what soothed her. Plus she was upright, which helped the GERD.

By Kaye on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 08:36 am:

I had a kid that needed the sling too. I carried him for a little over a year. By time he was three he had no issues leaving me, never cried to be left with a sitter etc. You have the opportunity to your child about love and trust, he needs you right now, give him that support, he will grow out of this. You will miss this time.

By Jenn34 on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 09:02 am:

Thanks, I have a sling I just need to use it more a home. I'm looking for one that has better support for the baby -any suggestions.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 09:31 am:

My DD had GERD and was a high maintenance, fussy baby. We used a sling at first but found a BabyBjorn carrier to be more helpful and comfortable when she was past the newborn stage. I wore her often and it was a God send!

By Amecmom on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 09:40 am:

I have an Infantino front carrier. My 5 month old loves it and it is a lifesaver during her fussy periods. She also has GERD and when I put her in facing out she can see the world, feel close and still have some pressure on her belly.

I posted a while back that she always seemed to get fussy when it was time to get my son ready for bed. That's when I put her in, so he can get ready in peace. It has been a lifesaver!

Also, you mentioned teething. Your ds may very well be uncomfortable. I have had success with Hyland's teething tablets, and Camilia (made by Boiron). The Chammomile seems to help soothe the teething irritability and also helps settle the stomach. Check with your pediatrician just to be sure he/she is okay with it.

Ditto Kaye, my son was very needy - much more than Helen is. He also never had separation issues and is very happy and well adjusted.

By Lauram on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 10:49 am:

Sounds a lot like when my second one was five months. I was told it was "colic." It did pass. BUT it was awful. My oldest also had issues with the noise. Giving him as much space as possible was what I did. It was awful though- but the good new is it did pass at about 6 mo. He's almost 3 and still can scream at times though!

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 01:54 pm:

Is he too old to be swaddled?

By Amecmom on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 05:26 pm:

BTW what is PPD-NOS?
Ame

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 05:36 pm:

Ame, Did a quick web search.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder "Not Otherwise Specified" (PDD-NOS; also called "Atypical Autism"): This is probably the most common category within PDD. PDD-NOS is generally used to mean "mild autism", or "some autistic characteristics". Often doctors will simply use the shorthand of "PDD" when referring to PDD-NOS. This term refers to children who have significant difficulties in the areas of social interaction, verbal communication (speech), nonverbal communication (gesture, eye contact), and play, but are too social to be considered fully autistic.

By Jenn34 on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 06:52 pm:

I still swaddle him. sometimes its the only way to calm him down. Thanks for all the hints.

By Tink on Thursday, February 17, 2005 - 09:22 pm:

Jenn, one other thing to keep in mind is that if swaddling at this age is still very calming to him and you have a family history of autism-type behavior, you may have some type of sensory issues with this little guy in the future. My pediatrician said that hearing we swaddled my ds for such a long time was an early sign to her that there might be issues in the future. She even put a note in his chart(as an infant) regarding following up on that concern once he was older.

By Amecmom on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 08:28 am:

Thanks, Trina. I know what PDD-NOS is. The post was PPD-NOS. I thought it was something new.

Ame

By Jenn34 on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 11:03 am:

sorry it's hard to type while holding a crying five month old

By Mrsheidi on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 01:33 pm:

Awww...Jenn...you're breaking my heart. I wish I could come over and give you a break!
Has anything helped? Connor could only swing side to side, not front to back. The CD we got from The Happiest Baby website helped us. I'm just not sure what else will help? Don't forget to ask someone you trust to take care of the baby for even a half hour so you can get a break from the crying...that must be so hard.

By Lauram on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 03:18 pm:

I just wanted to add, that even though my older one does have sensory issues, by younger one (the screamer) does not appear to have them. I thought you might find that hopeful.... It is so hard when they cry like that all the time. Breaks are a great suggestion- but sometimes it's hard to make that a reality. SOmetimes, my dh would take him for a car ride when I just couldn't take it anymore.

By Amecmom on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 05:07 pm:

Jenn - that wasn't a dig. Believe me, I know how hard it is to type while holding a crying 5-month old . My little one is a champion crier! I really thought there was something new, that I hadn't heard of yet.
I'm sorry if I made you feel bad.
Helen's favorite time to cry is when I have to get her brother ready for bed. Can't read a story to a three year old when a month old is crying her lungs out!
The Camilia really has helped her.
Ame

By Jenn34 on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 02:16 pm:

i know wasn't a dig I was just correcting my error. And
i know its can get confusing to try to offer help but if you don't ynderstand what was typed it's hard to be clear in your advice

By Kaye on Sunday, February 20, 2005 - 03:27 pm:

Just another thought here. I think I missed the bit about your other son. I know the baby is a handful right now, and maybe things will get better soon. But until then what? How about getting your older son a set of ear muffs, or earphones that he can wear when they baby is bugging him? Myabe set up one of those small tents with a tape player and some tapes and give him a place to "escape". Also I think it helps to give him some words and feelings to match what he is feeling, just say to him, the baby crying bugs you, you are right, it is loud, it can bug me too. Give him suggestions on how to avoid the sound. I think if you can empower him and encourage him to adapt it will only help him more in the long run. Good luck and keep us posted on how things are going.