baby unsettled at same time each night....

**honeydew** · 05-04-2009 22:53

At around 6-6:30pm most nights my 12 week old DD completely loses the plot- screaming, sweating (usually have to strip her clothes off), wont take a feed, won't settle no matter what we do. It usually lasts about 20-30 mins and then she will settle enough to have a feed and will go to sleep.

I have put it down to being over-tired and over-stimulated. I try putting her down for a late nap at around 5pm, even if its just for half an hour or so while I organise DS and get dinner started before their bath at around 6:30... but she often refuses to sleep late afternoon and as a result she becomes a screaming mess right when I need to deal with dinner etc.

Does anyone elses baby do this? And how do you prepare or deal with it?

**sahm** · 06-04-2009 09:00

Unfortunately I don't have any great pearls of wisdom, I remember my son was the same, and he just grew out of it over time.

It must be hard when you have an older one and you can't put dinner off.

I'll be in the same boat soon, too!

**honeydew** · 06-04-2009 11:37

Thanks sahm! Yep its hard because its around the time that my son becomes demanding as well- wanting dinner etc. I remember he had an unsettled period each day at her age too but nothing as bad as this!

I am trying to make sure she sleeps better through the day today to see if that helps

**Ffrenchknickers** · 06-04-2009 11:41

Hiya

My bubs have been like this too at this time of day. Eden is happy to feed then but is generally unsettled.

I always (well when I am home) make sure I make dinner when I make lunch andd have the other kids PJs out and as much as I can done so that I can just sit down with bubs for that period of time and not worry or be stressed out about doing other things.

**mumto3girls** · 06-04-2009 16:16

Yep. My DD3 is the same. I have asked others and they say that it is the 'witching hour'. That time frame when you are trying to get everything done in the evening - dinner, baths, tidy up etc.

I put it down to the fact that it is just bubby and me home during the day and of an afternoon when everyone is home it is a great novelty for her! She doesn't want to miss out!

Unfortunately I don't think there is much you can do as they do grow out of it. I normally put DD3 in her bouncer while I'm preparing dinner so that she can see everything that is going on.

HTH

**JabberJaw** · 06-04-2009 21:57

HAve the same trouble here! I also make dinner early and we eat at 5 on the dot! Then a quick play while i tidy up, bath, tv (older kiddies, i play with bub) and bed at 6.30

Do you have a sling or carrier of some sort to pop bub in? It use to work for us but my DD is one now and wants to reach out and grab stuff!

I have to say i did go out and purchase a slow cooker when bub started to do this and it was well worth it. I put dinner on in the morning/lunch time and have adapted alot of things so they can be slow cooked! Otherwise i have evrything ready chopped and in pots so i can turn it all on at 4.30.

Hopefully it passes. Could you do the same routine just an hour or so earlier? May or may not help.

**honeydew** · 06-04-2009 22:05

Thanks for the replies. Tonight was HORRIBLE! She screamed when I took her out of the bath and I had to dress her and lay her down so I could get DS out of the bath (he's too young to be left alone in there). I felt physically ill listening to her screaming, unable to help her while I quickly dried & dressed DS

Thanks for the suggestions, I am going to start the night time routine a bit earlier and just let DS have a bit of a play before bedtime while I deal with DD.

misskelz- yep I have an ergo so I will try that. She usually loves being in it so hopefully it will make a difference. I too have a slowcooker and now that we're coming into cooler weather (perfect for casseroles etc) I should start using it more.

Its good to know my baby's not the only one doing this!