Overtired

[BelindaBB]

I was wondering if anyone had this same problem.

Our DD is 9 weeks old and is a bad sleeper. If we go out during the day she wont sleep and therefore screams for hours at night because she is overtired.

During the day when we are at home I can't get her settled into her bassinette and I end up letting her sleep on me because it is the only way I can guarantee to get her to sleep and therefore we wont have the screaming sessions at night. I know this is wrong but I dont know what else to do.

The only way to get her to sleep at night is to let her cry so much that she has practically worn herself out.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I could do to make her sleep???:(

Belinda

[Harmony83]

My DS (now 13mths) was the same, he had trouble settling for the day, by nighttime he was hysterical, because he was so tired. It is not wrong for you to hold your little one to sleep, we used to do it as well and so do lots of mums! She is still only a tiny baby, and everything is so new and scary, so she will naturally want the 2 people she loves and trusts most to stay with her always... Dont feel bad for following your instincts, you are doing the best for your child by giving her lots of comfort and security. Keep up the great work... And always trust yourself - you will know what feels right - so follow that!

[Jamily]

i totally agree with Harmony83. I held, rocked, breastfed and cuddled emily to sleep when she was little. I was concerned I was doing the wrong thing, or 'making a rod for my back' but I did not want to let her cry or get over-tired. I over-analysed everything and drove myself mad trying to find a reason for everything she did (had she had enough to eat, was she overstimulated, was she feeling insecure??? etc etc)

Things gradually improved and by 6 or 7 months she was a fabulous sleeper and now at 10 months I get 2 good naps out of her in a day and she sleeps 12 hours at night. You will get there :)

[Supermum]

It is not wrong for you to hold your little one to sleep, we used to do it as well and so do lots of mums! She is still only a tiny baby, and everything is so new and scary, so she will naturally want the 2 people she loves and trusts most to stay with her always...
Ditto. This was the only time my DS would sleep ... on me! If you have a baby who doesn't settle on their own there is absolutely nothing wrong and everything right with settling them on you. It won't teach them bad habits in the future and it's not forever. My DS, now 3, is a fabulous sleeper.

[Harmony83]

P.S My son is 13 months and still gets comforted to sleep! Sometimes I still stress that im doing the wrong thing, then I remember they are only little for such a short time, in a few years time Ill be able to look back and remember all the cuddles I got!

[Jamily]

I forgot to say....I used to have to wrap Emily really tightly and that would defs help her sleep longer once she had drifted off. I would cuddle her to sleep then transfer her into her cot...the wrapping helped with the transfer as she didn't really realise she had been moved.

[elissas]

I suggest getting a sling. DS is like this sometimes, and in the sling he sleeps longer and I have my hands so I can still get things done.

[faery]

my bubs won't sleep on his own. especially during the day. a sling has been our saviour!! we use the hug a bub, and he will sleep for ages in it. i've given up trying to put him down cause he just starts crying, so i wear my baby!

i boobie him to sleep at night and he sleeps next to me. and since i have given up on trying to get him to sleep alone, we are all much happier!

try and ignore all those people who tell you you are spoiling him, or he is controlling you or you should let him cry (just a few of the bits of advice i've gotten). you know your baby, and if she want's to sleep on you than great!! i've found the books written by william sears invaluable in understanding jarrah's tempermant, and in helping me cope with a velcro baby!!

[luckie_me]

Im really over tired, anyone got any ideas 4 me...:sleeping:

[draught]

Having your baby fall asleep on you isn't a bad habit - it is a lovely one. Apart from anything it forces you to stop and rest, which we all need to do more when we are new mums.

I would also suggest a sling - I am a fan of the ergo baby carrier as it becomes a pouch when they get older and you can use it until they are about 5 years old. (www.ergobabycarrier.com or see www.carryingaway.com.au for it and more slings).

I also found that putting baby in her pram and rocking it backwards and forwards over a bump in the floor helped - I could eat dinner with one hand and give my tired arms a rest while she was soothed by the rythm - we had a bassinet attachment so she was nice and flat, tightly wrapped so once she was really asleep I could transfer her to her bed.

You sound like you are doing a great job as a mum - keep it up!

[Briswegian]

My son was born 3rd of march and he LOVES to sleep on his mum as first preference. I also use the sling if all else fails.

He doesn't fancy being wrapped but I wrap him anyway and it works. When they're so overtired they flail around and they need to be contained to be able to settle.

I did my own version of controlled comforting. I'd wrap him and then rock and pat in my arms until he fell asleep and then put him down. Once he was used to that..if he woke I put him on his side in the cot and rocked him until he was quiet and then go back if he started crying and rock again. He responded to this and I only have to rock a few seconds and then leave again.

This is our version which worked for us. You'll find your own version too but the best thing is to try and not let bub get too overtired in the first place as this makes settling really difficult.

One last thing. This bub needs a LOT more sleep than my last. He's up for 15m to 30m after a feed during the day and then to bed, otherwise he's overstimulated and overtired so watch for the tired signs to figure out when your bub needs to go down for a sleep whether that be in your arms or in the basinette.

However, don't feel guilty for sleeping with your bub....it feels like such a guilty pleasure as you're not 'supposed' :shame: to for fear of creating poor sleep associations but what really feels better than sleepy cuddles with your newborn. It won't last for long so enjoy!:smiliedance:

[BelindaBB]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post, there is certainly some great ideas which I will put into practice.

I must be doing something right today as she is still asleep after 2 hours!!! Yay:smiliedance:

Thanks again

Belinda
xx

[Mrs Little]

i'd suggest really looking for her tired signs and putting her down as soon as these happen.

Overstimulation can happen so easily.......

At 9 weeks there wake time is really short. I'd say no more than about 1hr each time.

Hope that helps.

Mrs Little & Son.