Help!!

[PuppyGuts]

hey everyone i need some help desperatly, my little on 6 mnths old and just flat out refuses to sleep 4 me!
its not to hard at night i have to rock her and she fights me i force her to sleep pretty much even tho i know she is so tired.then during the night she fidgets and squirms all night making whingy noises i gave her panadol thinkin it could be teeth but no difference.
during the day she only really sleepsin the car or i rock her for hours till shes down but she is happy to go down for her day care mum while im at work.?i tried cc but she just ends up hysterical im at my wits end i dnt know wat to do im pretty much awake all night.
this is my 1st bubbie nd im only 18 im tryin so hard but i end up in tears pleading with her to sleep everynight! can anyone help?

[lovinmybub]

Babies are very rarely the same for their Mum's as they are for other people! I worked in childcare for 10 years before I had my son and parents were constantly shocked at what their kids did differenly with us! I don't know why they do it... That's just kids I suppose!

When my son was around 5 months old he decided he didn't want to be rocked to sleep any more. Up until that point I had to rock him in my arms all the time, then he started really fighting me and I had to hold him tightly and keep jiggling for AGES! One day I got so frustrated with it, I told him if he was going to scream anyway he might aswell go to bed! I put him in his cot and he just played then went to sleep on his own! Since then he hasn't been rocked unless he's sick, overtired or we're away from home.

Has she got any teeth yet? You can usually tell if they're close to coming through, and you could try bonjella aswell.

You're doing a great job, and it's perfectly normal to feel like you're going nuts sometimes! My bubba is nearly two and sometimes I still bawl my eyes out not knowing what to do! It helps me to remember that it's usually just another phase, and phases don't last forever.

[ladybugblue84]

I'm sorry I can't offer you much advice but I just want to say I know where you are coming from as I am in the same boat. My 8 1/2 month old won't easily go to sleep anymore. The difference here is she rolls over, sits up & stands at the edge of her cot crying at me.

You are not doing a bad job this is just a normal part of parenting & as the last poster said it's a phase that will pass. Hang in there, relax & don't be afraid to leave bubba to cry for a little while while you regain your composure - this is what I do anyway.

Hopefully some other more experienced mums than myself will offer you some more good advice. Good luck!

[BecH]

Hi,

I have 3 I battle to sleep, so I can only offer what I have tried but also .

An Ergo carrier worked absolute miracles with my 6 month old baby boy. I would just pop him in and walk around and he would nod off, that might be worth a try. There are a few sling groups that loan different slings!

Elizabeth Pantley has a book called the "No Cry sleep solution" and it has great strategies. But her main thing to start is a really structured bedtime routine. We have dinner, bath a Bf Books, then lullabies and bed, same every night and even days when they struggle to go down. You may be abke to get it at the library, or your local ABA group (breastfeeder or not you are very welcome to meetings and you are a very loving Mum). Just really helped us!!!

Cuddle and give BF or Bottle in bed and lay them down after and pat with quiet music with you beside them, it can be a separation issue sometimes and this provides security.

Or just drive, drive, drive................ also www.askdrsears.com has other great ideas.

Lots of hugs, good luck

[Michaela]

There is nothing worse than that zombie feeling of not having had enough sleep... for weeks and weeks on end. I am going through a similar thing at the moment with my seven month old. My DD1 used to put up a bit of a fight but nothing like this.

I would definitely recommend a good daytime and night time sleep routine. I also find both DD1 and DD2 were worse resettling if I'd picked them up. It's hard but if you can try and resettle her in her cot, by either patting her bum/side or rubbing her chest. Also, I find that bringing back swaddeling helps - just until you've reestablished a good routine.

Another thing that I have found really good (I'm a bit of a hippy and don't like using medication like Panadol etc) is Brauer Baby Calm. It is sold at most chemists and is a tonic to aid with irritability and insomnia in babies. It is made from all natural ingredients and I've found it works great.

Having said ALL that I am still having trouble with my seven month old. I have looked into a few different things (I too have been in tears at my wits end) and heard that chiropractic treatment can often be hugely beneficial. I called around and found a place that specifically treats babies and children (plus I know a couple of people who go there and find them really good). Our first appointment is on Tuesday so I'll let you know how I go. With any luck I'll be bright eyed and bushy tailed on Wednesday!!