Something is wrong with my baby?

I thought my son was just high needs but now I'm starting to wonder. He is 6 months old and still when he cry's the only thing that calms him down is loud music or the hair dryer.




He is hyperactive and is so highly sensitive to so many foods that I am on a strict chicken, carrots, potatoes and asparagus diet with fruit. Anything else I eat causes him to be in pain and screaming--I exclusively nurse and yes it's easy to say just wean him onto a hypoallergenic formula so I can eat more but he won't take a pacifier let alone a bottle and his reaction to those two things are extreme.

The longest he has slept for has been 4 hours straight and that's only been maybe 4 times. Most of the time I have to nurse him in a rocking chair and that's how I keep him asleep, he will not nurse laying down. He sleeps maybe 30 minutes to an hour at a time and is not on any type of schedule and not for lack of my husband and I not trying total sleep in 24 hours is a good amount just very broken up.

I'm starting to wonder if he has something wrong. He does have acid reflux which he takes medication for and he has severe food sensitivities but I'm wondering if maybe he has sensory integration disorder or mild autism? He is very smart, very alert, responds to people, happy and no developmental delays but what else would cause such extreme behavior.

My husband had to quit his job and it takes us caring for our son around the clock, one person would not be able to care for him on their own. It's hard to describe.



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Feb 12, 2009
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"Something is wrong with my baby?"
by: Anonymous

My son is 3 years old and still requires a lot of work to fall asleep.

He was just like your baby when he was young. What worked for us was swaddling and bouncing, lots of bouncing, while walking up and down the hallway, no distractions in the hallway.

What worked as he approached one years old was going right from tub to bed to get lotioned/massaged while still wrapped tightly in his towel. He'd fall asleep before I even finished.

If its reflux bothering your baby (which was our case), talk to your doctor about a probiotic, it helped us a lot.

Feb 05, 2009
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I understand
by: M

My son is the exact same way, he is 7 mo old (6 mo corrected). He has a need to be in constant motion, and fusses like crazy otherwise. The baby swing is a godsend, along with the pacifier. He can only be held in a upright position, which makes feeding time difficult.

He prefers to be w/o clothing, which isn't convenient in February in Cleveland. He also isn't much for social interaction, which is really heartbreaking. He has met all of his milestones, but we are working on sitting unsupported, he doesn't seem to like the position for some reason. I have early intervention involved, but am willing to find another "really good" ot, if need be.

Feb 03, 2009
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sleep help
by: Joanna

Hi,

My daughter is now 9, but hearing your story brings the memories right back. I feel for you, it can be really horrible. One thing that our daughter found very soothing was deep pressure. I could never bring myself to do it hard enough, but my husband used to "pound" her back ( a very hard pat) rhythmically while singing to her and holding her over his shoulder. This was the only thing that helped her soothe into sleep.

Other thoughts: lying on the stomach does seem comforting for these kids. Our daughter was happiest w/o clothes on. The car never soothed her like other kids, in fact she still hates the car. Occupational therapy is a Godsend. Bouncing, joint compression, deep pressure all can be very regulating. Hang in there, it does get better!

Feb 01, 2009
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reduce stimulation
by: Lynn Rickert

Hi ...
Your situation sounds extremely difficult.

You've received lots of valuable suggestions already. I would add this:

Some children cannot handle much stimulation in their environment. So darkness and quiet can be helpful. I frequently took two of my kids into the bathroom, turned the shower on for the soothing sound of the water, turned off the light and just held them rocking back and forth on my feet. Or sit on the closed toilet so you can get some rest as well.

Aim the shower at one of the shower walls so the sound isn't too loud. I have done this many times and found that it works. We also have room darkening shades.

There are some cds that have sounds that help the brain sleep. They can be found in any discount store. I do not think they compare to therapeutic listening cds, which are also worth looking into through an experienced OT.

Lynn Rickert
owner of Pedaling Backwards, a wordpress.com blog

Jan 25, 2009
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Hang in there
by: Anonymous

God Bless you and hang in there. Please fight with your doctor if need be, to get a doctors order for a sensory integration evaluation by a Occupational Therapist. Your son is young enough that if you can get the right sensory diet he may grow out of some of the things that set him off/ doesn't like.

PLEASE this is so worth it, I know how rough and frustrating things can get, and for you and your relationship with your child push for help. Some doctors are blind to SPD, but what can it hurt to get a evaluation?

Good Luck. Keep us posted.

Jan 24, 2009
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Swaddle
by: Shelli

When my son, who just turned 6, was born, he had to be swaddled in a blanket like a burrito and bounced up and down and we had to "ssshhhhhh" in he ear to calm him and get him to sleep. This went on for at least a year. I always knew he was different than my other 4 kids, but I had no idea how to explain his symptoms without looking like a nutcase to the doctor.

Slowly but surely we are coming to a definite diagnosis. It's just too bad he has had to endure all the difficulties of pre-school teachers not understanding that there are kids who have these issues. Be proactive! Don't give up until you know what's wrong! you know your baby better than anyone else!

Jan 24, 2009
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What has helped me
by: Anonymous

My daughter (9 months) is definitely more high maintenance than my son (6 yrs old) who has SPD. My DD wouldn't sleep more than 15-20 minutes for her naps at first. Then we got a heated mattress pad and she slept for two hours on her first nap (on the lowest setting)! I now, amazing. She has been sleeping well ever since. I also saw on Rachel Ray one time about a weighted hand pillow that is suppose to simulate the mother's hand called the Zaky. I hope this helps

Jan 23, 2009
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something wrong with baby
by: Anonymous

My daughter was what I called high maintenance. She also would only go to sleep if I was nursing her and rocking her. I used to pace the floor with her for hours on end to try to get her to go to sleep. I couldn't even take her for a ride in the car to get her to sleep because she couldn't stand being in her car seat... screamed as if someone were trying to kill her. She would almost always wake up as soon as I laid her in her crib.

When she was 3 months old I discovered that she would sleep on her belly and I let her even though I know the recommendation is "Back to Sleep". I would not try this without discussing it with the pediatrician first. You could try swaddling to see if that helps with sleep. There are mattresses available that vibrate - maybe one would help. I know my daughter responded well to vibration, but there were no vibrating mattresses available when she was an infant.

One thing you really need to do is talk to the pediatrician about an Occupational Therapy evaluation with a concentration on sensory issues. Try to find someone who is certified. Good luck! By the way, it will get better once you and your baby figure out what works. :)

Jan 23, 2009
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Sounds familiar
by: Anonymous

Reading your post motivated me to comment for the first time on this forum. I have been lurking and trying to figure out if my 4 year old son has SPD. Your story sounds exactly like ours when our son was a baby. Everything from the reflux diagnosis, refusal of the bottle, sleep issues etc....

I wish I could provide some help, but like I mentioned, I'm still trying to figure this out myself!! One thing we did find helpful when he was a baby, was to bounce on an exercise ball with a light blanket over his head to block out any stimulation. This allowed him to fall asleep, but as with your baby, he never slept much over an hour at a time, and it had to be in our arms as every time we tried to lay him down he started wailing.

I wish you all the best in this difficult situation........hang in there!

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