oh yeah -Stacy - it's a HARD situation. Hold out some hope since it's kinda predicatble that we acan figureout the issue for your son.

My son, now 8 still has his 5pm witching hour LOL but very managable. At the younger ages, we concluded it was overload from all day - normal activity but he got to a point where it was just all too much; needed but refused quiet time. Now I wonder if he wasn't "mito tired"....?

 

Are there any sensory strategies that work- swing/bouncing on a trampoline or mattress/movement, music, holding him with deep pressure to muscles can all have a calming affect; watching heat is another less obvious stressor.  Maybe borrow a Sensory Integration book from Library - Carol Stock Kranowicz is one author. Good Basic ideas to calm or excite kids of any age!

 

I would maybe keep a food journal - see if there is a closer time relationship with food/feeds. If crying always starts at a designated time after feeds -might be reflux or constipation starting - try shifting feeds to earlier or later. Might also need to eat more/less frequently.

 

Tune into your son's communication efforts (temporaily throw Docs casual approach out the window)- see if he can give you more clues!

 

Hope this helps! Kelly-Ann in MN