https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:53:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819839 Wed, 02 May 2018 11:09:37 +0000 gingerbebe 2819839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our first child was a nightmare. He didn’t like the yoga ball - only deep knee bends while holding him upright would do. He didn’t like the RNP bc it was too confining. He would sleep on my chest while I sat in a recliner, but only in short bursts. Stroller rides while seated somewhat upright (we used those insert things) facing outward to look at stuff would calm him somewhat. </p> <p>Zantac can stop working. I went straight to Prilosec with our second because DS1 was so awful. We also used gas drops at every feeding and used gripe water pretty regularly. Holding the baby under their armpits and kinda standing them upright in your lap will get some good burps out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819778 Wed, 02 May 2018 09:08:03 +0000 periwinklebee 2819778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats on her arrival! :grin: :grin: Maybe look into reflux medication if that seems to be the issue - I'm not a fan of having a tiny baby on medicine but it made a huge different for my LO. We tried to wean him off this weekend (he wasn't ready yet) and it reminds me of what a difference the reflux medicine can make. Also, as others have said, bouncing or stroller (my LO only liked the latter over bumpy sidewalks). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819752 Wed, 02 May 2018 08:11:26 +0000 Synchronicity 2819752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just survived this with my now 6 month old. She's still not an easy, chill baby at all but it's much easier to manage at this stage. </p> <p>When she was really little the yoga ball saved our lives. We'd put her in the carrier or hold her and bounce and bounce and bounce forever. Movement was key, so walking and stroller rides and bouncing and bouncing and bouncing. Fresh air also seemed to help. She took to a pacifier really well and that was also a big help for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819750 Wed, 02 May 2018 07:58:42 +0000 Mama Bird 2819750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does she do better when held? If yes, I'll third recommending a soft carrier! DD was a very grumpy baby, and she was a little better in the carrier. But only half the time, sometimes she was uncomfortable and would just wiggle and fuss until I took her out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819746 Wed, 02 May 2018 07:47:45 +0000 MrsADS 2819746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son had absolutely horrible reflux and MSPI and it was truly the darkest time in my life. He cried nonstop and never slept. I would nurse him in the middle of the night and then he would cry for 2-3 hours after every feeding. </p> <p>Treat the reflux aggressively if you can. He slept in a Rock &amp; Play - laying him flat was much worse. He hated being worn and always vomited (pressure on his esophagus, maybe?). We used super loud white nose (vacuum cleaner app on our phone), very tight velcro swaddle. And I walked and rocked and bounced him so much I thought my knees would give out, I was in so much physical pain. </p> <p>I don't think there is an easy answer. For my son, he was miserable and in pain and that was the underlying issue, so nothing was going to help that much except aggressive treatment. </p> <p>I'm 36 weeks pregnant with baby 2 and absolutely terrified of going through it again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819741 Wed, 02 May 2018 07:29:22 +0000 Foodnerd81 2819741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumn865: I also burst into tears when an older lady asked me if she was “a good baby?” I will never ask that! (I responded with “well.... we really love her”. </p> <p>And yes to the soft carrier. I did a moby with my first and we just walked and walked and walked. But that’s easier without two other kids to care for as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819739 Wed, 02 May 2018 07:22:23 +0000 autumn865 2819739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds like my second who had colic :-:</p> <p>She was gassy and grumpy during the day. Things that helped were putting her in the carrier (solly wrap and later ergo) and moving . Bouncing on the exercise ball calmed her sometimes. She loved loud noise (vacuum, hair drier, swing sound turned up). She cried ALL. THE. TIME. to the point that I would just hold her and try to tell myself that at the very least I was trying to comfort her. I was plagued with an overactive letdown and none of the techniques really helped with that. Sleeping in the rock and play seemed to help her sleep better initially. Even when the colic passed she was still “grumpy”. I remember bursting into tears when a well meaning lady in the grocery store asked “is she a happy baby?” Life changed and she became my smiley girl when she started moving and crawling. Hang in there :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819734 Wed, 02 May 2018 06:51:02 +0000 mrswin 2819734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: When my DD was at this stage we had the most luck with using a soft structured carrier (Ktan). She was only happy to be held in an upright position with pressure on her stomach because of the reflux. We also used a soother because sucking provided some comfort for her but I didn’t want to be a human pacifier.</p> <p>Lastly in the evening I would see if you can get her swaddled up and put her to bed because according to most sleep experts “witching hour” is actually just the baby being overtired and wanting to sleep </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819725 Wed, 02 May 2018 06:00:08 +0000 Foodnerd81 2819725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first was very much like that. Do you have a big yoga ball/ exercise ball? With both our girls but especially the crankier first, DH and I used to take turns bouncing in the ball while holding the baby to our chest and patting her back pretty hard. It was the only thing that worked for a while-like a long enough while that I dreaded seeing the ball at all! But it worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comforting-a-grumpy-newborn#post-2819721 Wed, 02 May 2018 03:24:27 +0000 Kemma 2819721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi All</p> <p>My wee girl arrived just over two weeks ago and it’s become clear to us that she’s not going to be an easygoing or chilled out wee babe like her older siblings! She’s not content to just “hang out” and isn’t even that happy when she’s being held, and then throw in some colicky behaviour and a touch of reflux and it makes for some challenging moments!</p> <p>Baby is currently EBF and gaining well (ten ounces in a week!) but is a very “windy” feeder which I’m guessing doesn’t help the grumpiness and she’ll often have a 2-3 hour crying jag in the evenings where she won’t want to feed and nothing will make her happy.</p> <p>So, on to my question! Does anybody have any tips or tricks for comforting my wee grumpy bum? I’d really love some more tools in my toolbox...</p> <p>Thanks! </p>