Suddenly fussy 3 week old baby!? - August 2015 Babies | Forums | What to Expect (2024)

FAQs

Why is my baby so fussy all of a sudden 3 weeks? ›

Your baby's tearful bouts could be a sign that she's overstimulated. Babies this age often need to unwind with a good cry at the end of the day. She could also be hungry more often because she's going through a growth spurt or for some other reason. Try feeding your little one a bit more and see if that helps.

Many young babies have a “fussy period” of a few hours each day, when they especially need lots of calming and soothing. This is most commonly, though not always, in the evening and first part of the night, and tends to build in intensity over the next few weeks. The peak age for crying is around 6-8 weeks.

Fussiness will lessen as your baby grows.

Other causes of fussiness in babies include diaper rash, thrush, food sensitivities, nipple confusion, low milk supply, etc. Babies normally fuss for many reasons: overtiredness, overstimulation, loneliness, discomfort, etc. Babies are often very fussy when they are going through growth spurts.

A baby who cries 3 or more hours a day, 3 or more days a week, for at least 3 weeks might have colic. Usually, it starts when a baby is 2–5 weeks old and ends by the time the baby is 3–4 months old. Colic happens to a lot of newborns.

Your baby will go through many growth spurts in the first year. They can cause your baby to nurse longer and more often. These growth spurts typically happen when your baby is around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months old. But your baby's growth spurts may not happen at these exact times.

The witching hour is a time when an otherwise content baby is extremely fussy. It typically occurs daily between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm. It can last a few minutes to a couple of hours. For most babies, the witching hour starts to occur around 2-3 weeks and peaks at 6 weeks.

Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new born baby. And while people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.

1-3 Months

The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage.

Irritable baby syndrome is described as a baby who is often unsettled and cries for no apparent reason. Babies may become irritable if they are hungry, tired or have a wet or dirty nappy.

What are the symptoms of a growth spurt in a newborn? ›

Babies cry for many reasons, including to tell you that they're tired, or hungry, or have a wet diaper. Sometimes your baby cries because they want to be held or played with – or, sometimes, they're simply overstimulated and need a little quiet time.

A newborn may be fussy because they're hungry, need a diaper change, or feel uncomfortable. Your newborn baby can't tell you how they feel, so may rely on crying to communicate. However, an extremely fussy baby who is inconsolable may be experiencing colic.

Common characteristics of a high needs baby includes constantly crying, needing extra attention; holding or soothing, irregular or unpredictable sleep or feeding patterns, restlessness, easily overstimulated by noise or movement (preventing parents from taking their baby out), and resistant to swaddling.

Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new born baby.

It can last a few minutes to a couple of hours. For most babies, the witching hour starts to occur around 2-3 weeks and peaks at 6 weeks. It will typically completely resolve by 3-4 months.

Babies often start to whine because they want some peace and quiet. It's not isolating to have a safe quiet place for baby to go away from the hustle and bustle of family life. Especially if you have a large family. Sit with baby in a quiet room while the rest of the house goes on about their merry business.

Even a newborn may cry out of rage if she wakes up hungry and isn't fed right away. As all weary, new parents know, babies cry because they need to be fed, held, or changed, or because they're tired, sick, or in pain. And some babies just tend to react to the world more negatively and intensely.