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MichelleRenee
03-17-2007, 07:53 PM
I don't even think I have the strength to post the whole story right now, but I am just exhausted. For a few days now Tristan has been sick with a fever and congestion. We already had a trip to the hospital (nothing serious, they suspect a virus or teething). He is teething too, so he is just miserable.

He was pretty bad the first night as far as being clingy and just crying the saddest little cry. Ever since then he won't sleep on his own. (he has actually preferred sleeping in his crib up until now) He will fall asleep OK at night but when we try to put him in his crib he has a total meltdown. Tonight he seemed OK. He was asleep when we got home. When I went to put him in his crib he woke up and started screaming. It took almost 2 hours to get him to just calm down. He wouldn't eat. Orajel didn't help. He had just had Tylenol. His diaper was clean. I had put his anti-itch meds on his skin for his eczema.

He was crying so hard, gurgling on his own saliva while crying, and to the point where he was gagging. We tried to feed him and he would take the bottle and after about 30 seconds he would just start screaming again. Finally, after switching the nipple to a "slow flow" one (he has been on "med flow" for a few weeks) he calmed down, ate a few ounces and fell asleep. Transferring him to his crib took some work. He woke up so I had to stand there holding the bottle in his mouth until he drifted off again because he kept crying. I wanted to avoid letting him get so worked up again.

So now I am EXHAUSTED and depressed over how sad and helpless my baby is right now. He has never been like this. He never gets hysterical unless he is hungry, and that is esily solved with feeding. I am thinking maybe his congestion is making the "med flow" nipple a bit too fast for him so we will go back to "slow flow" until he is better.

The worst part is that for the majority of today he seemed almost 100% better! He was laughing and smiling and even took his usual naps after being put in his crib wide awake at nap time.

I just need some support here. I am pretty sure I am doing everything I can to make him feel better, but this is just exhausting. I keep thinking he is better and then he goes downhill again. He is finally asleep and I got the house straightened up. Now I am going to attempt to go to bed but I know he will be up soon crying again. And my heart will break all over when I see and hear how sad he is. Poor baby.

Any other moms out there going through this? From the looks of the hospital waiting room the majority of us are dealing with sick babies!

ETA: Did I mention that DH had his wisdom teeth pulled this week, came down with a case of dry sockets, and has been in major pain? So not only is he no help with the baby, but I have to take care of him too.

MidwesternGal
03-17-2007, 07:59 PM
MichelleRenee--Aww, poor Tristan!! No advice, but <<hugs>> to everyone in your family!! I hope both DS and DH feel better soon! Be sure to take care of yourself, so you don't get sick, too!

Allegra
03-17-2007, 08:00 PM
It sounds like it may be more than "just" a cold. I would suspect some serious teething pain going on and move up to a motrin dose. Oragel is VERY basic and really only for topical pain. Motrin is stronger than Tylenol and lasts longer for the little ones at night.

MichelleRenee
03-17-2007, 08:05 PM
MidwesternGal: Thanks. I am doing my best to not get sick too!

Allegra: Is the Motrin a Rx med or can you get it OTC? Is it safe for a 4.5 month old?

jeninef
03-17-2007, 08:15 PM
I just wanted to say hang in there...we have been there before and I know that it is not fun to go through.

As for Motrin, which I find to be better as well, I think you have to wait until they are 6 months old to take it...but am not 100 percent on that. I just had to give our DS some tonight because he is getting his 1 year molars in, I think...and he woke up about 20 minutes after I put him down screaming the uncontrollable scream and cry...so anyway...I just wanted to say that you are not alone and you will get through this...sending good wishes your way for a smooth night!

steviem
03-17-2007, 08:35 PM
Just wanted to say I'm so sorry.... it's awful when your little one isn't feeling well and nothing seems to help :( hang in there.

Motrin seems to be way more effective for my DS. The PP was correct, in that, your DC must be at least 6 months before giving Motrin.

Good luck and hugs to you and your family.

jennylou
03-17-2007, 08:46 PM
I agree that it sounds like more than a cold. Could be the teething that was mentioned by a PP (which I thought of as well), but knowing you're not far from me, I'll throw out that RSV is going around these parts. My neice has it (or rather, is recovering from it) and the pediatrician (also ours) told my sil that it's going around bad here.

Hope your DS feels better soon. :)

maplekitty
03-17-2007, 09:08 PM
aaawww poor Tristan (and mommy!) Sorry to hear yout little guy is sick Michelle!
((hugs))

a_spark
03-18-2007, 07:52 AM
I'm so sorry Michelle! I've been there (due to reflux, not illness), and I know how hard it is to feel like you're doing everything you can and still you baby is hurting. Hang in there!!

MichelleRenee
03-18-2007, 08:34 AM
Thanks everyone. After I went to bed last night went OK. He woke up around 3 to eat, and then at 5, but he just ate and went back to sleep. He didn't get up for the day until 9, which was a treat.

He seems better today, but I said that yesterday too.

Thanks again for the support. I hope he continues to get better today!

BethIrish
03-18-2007, 09:01 AM
Glad to hear Tristan is feeling better!

I know how you feel though - last night Paddy woke up from a dead sleep screetching. We call it his "wounded animal cry"...he's only done it a few times (after shots, namely.) He cried -hard- for almost 3 hours. My baby doesn't cry often, either, unless he is hungry. I have no idea what was wrong with him. We gave him some Tylenol and a Hylands teething tab and I tried to nurse. He was refusing to nurse - it got to the point that I was so full I was squirting milk across the room!!!

Anyway, he seems better today. Hopefully this is just teething....

littlebear
03-18-2007, 09:07 AM
It might help if you elevate the head of his crib a little. You can use a few books under the legs or something. He might not be as congested if his head is elevated.

catmom
03-18-2007, 10:29 AM
Hope he gets better soon! When DD got her first illness (at about 9 months), she basically didn't sleep for like 4 days. I think it's really hard on them when they're little, since they don't really know what's going on.

MichelleRenee
03-18-2007, 04:20 PM
I have never heard of "Hylands teething tabs." Can I just buy them at any grocery store/pharmacy?

Marisa
03-18-2007, 04:29 PM
Walgreens has both Hylands and another homeopathic brand of teething remedies.