Help needed - first time mum

[AVR]

I have a really good baby (3 weeks) but today she has been up since 1:00pm and just wont settle - Im exhausted, but wont let her cry - anyone have any ideas on how to settle her??

She has clean bum, has been fed, is warm, has snuggled with me for half of the hours at least, tried a bath ...

[Myztik]

maybe try rocking her in her pram?

[CurlyG]

Settle her and put her down. Sit next to her with her in her basket or cot with your hand on her chest and the lights out. Whenever she starts to unsettle, just say "shh shh shh" and pat her chest.

This worked well for my DD :thumbsup: You might just have to sit with her for a while.

ETA: When I say settle, I just meant get her to the point where she's not screaming. Sorry it was a bit unclear! :o

[AVR]

Tried pram but she is just losing it .... maybe its the pram.... are phil and teds usually ok for new borns??? Seems like it tilts the wrong way??

Trying the patting thing now..... am keeping the comp next to me.......

[punkbaby]

I used to find sometimes my lot would settle better with my partner, as bubs used to feel how stressed i was if they were restless...he used to get them to sleep for me if all else fails, pram etc and sitting near bassinett as has been said above, its worth a shot :) They used to lay on his chest...fall asleep and when i knew they were well and truely out to it i would them put them to bed :) it worked if they layed on me at times too, but they seemed more happy with hubby

Goodluck...otherwise if you have a sling the hammock style ones walk around with that or get your partner to so you can rest up for an hour or so

PS not sure about the pram i havent had one like that, over tiredness is shocking though you just have to get her past that point :) ;

[k2ma]

Has she wind maybe? If she is pulling her legs up to her stomach when she cries that can sometimes indicate trapped wind...try holding her upright so her head rests, supported, on your shoulder and rubbing her back

Otherwise cuddles is all I can suggest...unless like my little man she doesn't like being wrapped up.

Have you taken her temperature, is she too hot...too cold?

Check the bassinet or cot - i know this sounds silly but DS2 would fuss terribly everytime he went in the pram until I realised that there was a very slight 'bump'in it which was not obvious to look at but would have made it very uncomfortable to lie on.

A friend's baby cried for hours, and when she finally gave the baby to another person it stopped crying. They do sense that you are stressed and upset...

If you are breastfeeding what did you eat in the last 24 hours - onions, apricots, citrus fruit - all these things affected DS1 if I ate them (we had a GREAT night when I ate apricot chicken:no:).


Might be constipation...try to think what her nappies have been like...

Oh there is soooooo much, if it persists take her to your CHN to get checked. They will be able to reassure you and give you some tips.

Good luck - the first months are the hardest...

[bronny-jane]

some babys like to be carried alot....or suck on things, is she a comfort sucker, try a dummy...i had to use one with dd 3 for a few weeks, she's over it now, but she just wanted to suck on something to fall asleep

[Monster's Mum]

Hi Caithi,

I'm hoping your baby has settled already for you but I thought I would add these suggestions for you to maybe try if you have another unsettled time.

I found swaddling, holding baby in my arms in a craddle hold but with her belly on my arm rather than her back IFYKWIM and white noise (static from the radio) all helped my DD settle.

White noise still helps her get to sleep at times.

I agree with the others - babies do feel your tension and stress so if you can pass her onto your partner, a friend, your mum when/if they are around at the time, then bubs might go right off to sleep.

Really hope that you find something that works for you as there is nothing worse than experiencing an unsettled baby.

[Jo9999]

Do you have a swing (one of those battery operated ones?). They can be quite good for settling a baby.
Also as a last resort a drive can be good.
Unfortunately there are always times like this with a baby, and until they can communicate it is very very frustrating, hope she has come right now.

[Pixie]

SOme suggestions for next time I am hoping she is settled now.

A massage
low lights and soft classical music or a white noise CD, white noise is like trucks and washing machines you can buy "sounds of silence" in most baby stores.
Have you got a sling/baby carrier? you could pop her in one of those and she might settle/sleep
Go for a walk if possible IE not the middle of the night lol this really helps you and your mind and the sounds and fresh air help the baby.

Other things to take in to consideration are of course
hunger, tummy ache, itchiness some times they need a good scratch!
dirty/wet nappy, overtired some times babies miss their sleep and then it's a fight until the next one it's a horrible time. But the usually get back to normal after a decent sleep.

Good luck :hugs:

[allysophia]

When I get to that point (and at 6months, I still do..)

I just go, 'oh well! You aren't tired (despite the fact you clearly are!) lets go out for an adventorous outing, preferably where mummy gets a yummy hot choc or well deserved treat!!

:D

Good luck! Good mummy for cuddling her and snuggling her so well- bet she loves it !

[allysophia]

Oh, just to add quickly - I always used a sling or carrier. My baby HATED the pram (still does, little tyke) and with the carrier he just went..

CLONK ..:sleeping:

[CurlyG]

:yes: Ally. My DD is still not keen on the pram, but she LOVES it when she goes into the sling! I absolutely detest the pram too and only use if absolutely neccessary.

:hugs: Caithi, I hope bubba settled last night after some of our suggestions! Let us know how you're going?