Baby Very Fussy

Good for you, A., for holding/walking her when she's upset. Absolutely cannot spoil her doing this! If you have any interest, it is still possible for you to begin to breastfeed and gradually switch her over. It is virtually impossible for babies to have a negative reaction to breastmilk. Any La Leche League Leader (www.llli.org) or Lactation Consultant could help you with this. Whatever you decide, I hope things get better.

My grand-daughter was a very fussy infant. She is 3 mos old now and much of that has resolved. However, going through it was very hard for my daughter and her family and esp the baby! Couple things that helped - Read and re-read "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Dr. Harvey Karp. He also has a website with the same name. He is an expert with fussy babies and techniques to help that really work. Swaddling and movement and shushing were key in calming her. They did a lot of bouncing, walking and jiggling. Now, her husband has a hard time remembering how hard it was when she was fussy because she is so pleasant. In addition, they used one of those big exercise balls and would hold her in their arms and bounce gently on it as an alternative to walking. She is still swaddled for sleep. Baby had a hard time sleeping, and upon the advice of the pediatrician "whatever works" - allowed her to sleep in her swing all night long. This worked for about 6 weeks and now she is sleeping in her bed.
All babies are wired differently and many of them (like my grand-daughter) are very sensitive to "differences" in the environment. What your other children did not notice this baby of yours does. It is not good or bad, just different. She needs to be embraced for who she is, loose ends and all. Fussy babies sometimes get such a bad rap, like they have any clue or desire to ruin their parents lives - they DON'T. All they know is that they don't feel well and need some help to feel better. Dr. William Sears actually calls fussy babies "hurting babies", because something is bothering them. Dr. Karp talks about the babies who would have liked a 4th trimester - they just weren't ready to come out of the womb. They liked the darkness and the constant motion and little interruptions; then they are born and here's the world, bright, noisy, loud, still.
One day at a time became my daughters mantra and this too shall pass.

My thoughts would be to consider dropping the Alimentum. Maybe that is bothering her. She might be sensitive to it. I remember all 4 of my new babies having stools that were runny with chunks like you described and we considered it normal and they just grew out of it.
There is a lot their little bodies are adjusting too. You mentioned a bottle so I don't know if you are breastfeeding or not, but I would recommend that as the best way to give her exactly what she needs in the best balance possible.
And I don't think I would call it "spoiled" but the truth is babies do get used to the schedule, timing and method of how they are handled. That's just the way they are. I watched a young mother choose to "mother-on-demand" and she anxiously hovered over their every little whimper. She picked them up at every little squeak, strapped them on and carried them constantly and for the first two years they became some of the most demanding, crying babies I've ever seen. At 3 and 4 yrs of age they still were struggling with crying to get what they want because they were trained to communicate that way.
Each baby does have their own personality and some will be quieter and some more loud and bossy, so parents of little ones need lots of grace and mercy. It's hard to hear someone tell you you are "spoiling" them when you are just trying anything to get some peace and survive. But it doesn't hurt to get fresh ideas and outside perspective and input even if it steps on your toes. It is good and brave of you to ask for help!
One of the things you can do is to check the noise and "drama" going on in the home that might be affecting them. Stress, anxiety, strife, anger (I'm not saying you have a house full of these but they) are things that babies pick up on. So do what you can to increase the love, laughter, peace, singing.... And pray for wisdom! God, who created her -- and loves the both of you! -- knows best what she needs and will give you great ideas and help for handling every situation.

Has your doctor mentioned the possibility of reflux? If so, there are things you can do that might help. Ask your doctor about it. It might be that, or it cold be some time of allergy. I'm wondering about the allergy idea because of the acne. However, babies often get an acne rash around 1 month that goes away on it's own. I hope she's feeling better soon. S.
P/S Holding a baby is definitely the right thing to do.

WEAR YOUR BABY.
There are various belt/wrap devices for keeping baby attached to your body.
Get one or devise one using a sheet.
Of course she's not spoiled.
No one here would ever suggest a baby that small can be spoiled.
Since you've already had two children before this,
I'm sure you know how to burp a child,
how to make sure she's not getting too much air from the bottle.
How have her stools looked since you switched to Alimentum?
Has the doctor given you a time frame before checking back?
If she's not digesting, you probably need to follow up ASAP.

I had a fussy one like this but it started after I stopped nursing/pumping...it does go away, but it is hard!. Your little sweetie is only 4 weeks out of the oven. I am with you , you can't spoil such a little one. If she just wants to be held, do you have a front carrier? Since this seems to be a digestive issue, what about changing the formula you are using OR (this is really out there) consider starting breastfeeding NOW. You could plug her in and see what she does, rent a pump to get going. YOUR breast milk is made for YOUR baby and HER digestive system. PLUS putting breastmilk on baby acne takes it away! It's something to consider. That aside, a front carrier did it for us. Maybe yours just wants to be with YOU...nothing wrong with that. Ignore the people who say she is spoiled or you are going to spoil her.

my son just turned 3 months and is this way. he is finally starting to outgrow the fussiness. He has fussed all the time. My duaghter never was that way, she was great. So i have learned they have their own personalities. He has the acne still, and I was told that it can tkae up to 9 months to acutally clear up. So don't worry about that at all.

I would suggest switching formulas if you think that might be it. I would switch to Nestle Good Start. it really is a much better formula. It is already fully broken down just as far as any other "special" formula and it's a TON cheaper.

I would suggest also wear your baby. that is really what helped my son out. I would wear him whenever needed he would fall asleep within minutes, and i would continue to wear him so he would sleep.

I know what it's like as I have a 2 year old as well, but remember this period will only last a few months. Ask for help from others and there are still things you can do with both the baby and the 2 year old during the day. we danced a LOT in my house, and still i need to wear my son. Then i am intereacting with my daughter and still taking care of my son the way he needs it.

I think it's just the age. My son is 2 months now and the same thing happened. He is starting to get better. I put him in a baby bjorn and walk around alot. He likes the motion but I still have hands for other things.

Try swaddling her, I read a book on it when Jacob was born and it was a lifesaver. The reason she calms down when you hold her is because she likes the secure close feeling. She will get that if you swaddle her snuggly.

I know this is not a common thing. My niece had a herniated ovary when she was a baby. She had surgery at 7 weeks. She was a different baby afterwards--not as fussy. At least have the doctor check it out.

My 14 month old was like that. Like the previous poster stated, wear your baby. I was like you. I couldn't get my son to calm down. Then someone on this site suggested a carrier. I went to resale shop and for $20, I got a Baby Bjorn carrier that you strap on and carry your baby on your chest. This thing was wonderful and my son calmed down immensely.

I hope this works for you as well as it did for me:)

Good luck,

M.

It may still be the formula. Both my girls had colic and my last would scream about 12 hours a day until we had it figured out. What worked best was a Soy formula. We tried all the others and while they did help with soy she was only fussy about 2 to 3 hours a day. I know this souds like a lot still but from 12 hours to 3 was great.

With my daughter Alimentum actually made her feel worse. In the end she was best on Soy with Zantac for reflux. She was a miserable baby for about 12 weeks while we figured all of this out. The reflux was what was causing the majority of issues.

I also suggest the "Happiest Baby on the Block" it was a life savior. Finally I would invest in a baby wrap like a moby or something so you can wear her while you do other things. This was great for my 2nd one. Good luck,

My daughter was very fussy and gassy as well and I had her on the Gentle Ease. That did not do much for her gas. I ended up switching her bottles and it was a night and day difference. I switched to Dr. Browns. Who knows it may work for your daughter. Good luck.

switch to Dr.Brown's bottles thet made a huge difference for my son