Please help me before I loose my mind!

[NewBeginnings]

Ok I really have no idea what is going on with DS2.

He is 12 weeks old on Tuesday and this past week has been an absolute nightmare.

We *think* he is teething... there appears to be three white lines on his bottom gums, which come and go... he's drooling like no tomorrow, grinding his gums and chomping on everything in sight.

But he is just out and out refusing to sleep now. Day or night. He wants to be held ALL day long... meaning I cannot do anything. It's effecting DS2, making it hard for me to do anything with DS2 and it's waring me VERY thin!

I get him to sleep, and put him down and not even a minute later he is awake and screaming.

He was sleeping fine at night... and now refuses to sleep at night either.

We tried panadol the other night and he just vomited it back up. Trusty old Hylands tablets don't appear to do anything either.

He wants to be on the boob ALL day long... and it is driving me mental. He's not on there to feed 3/4 of the time... only for comfort suck.... So I bit the bullet before and went and got dummies and he can't get the grasp of them, he just spits them out.

I have no idea what to do. He is tired, I am tired and emotional and just over it! I don't know what else to do or try and am so close to breaking point it's not funny!

Does anyone have any ideas or advice?

[Zada]

Its tough, first up to you. Do you have a sling or wrap to carry bub in so you have your hands free for your DS1?

[lovelymum]

I know you said he is on the boob a lot but is he getting enough milk? I found exhaustion wrecked my milk supply. He could be having a growth spurt and is just super hungry, I dont really know if I believe all the hype about teething both of my kids got teeth with minimal fuss (but maybe I was lucky?) Do you have someone to help with your other child? Even for just a few hours. I know how hard it is when you are so tired my DD only just started sleeping through the night at 16 months. I would also suggest a trip to the doctor if he doesnt settle, sometimes they are sick and of course they cannot tell us sore throats, tummy bugs etc... I hope he settles down for you maybe for now take him into bed with you at night just so you can get some rest. Try not to get wrapped up about house work and home cooked meals during this trying time just take it easy and day by day, it can all wait!

[Amara]

Have you tried Bonjella or another teething gel? Frozen teething rings? They should help if it's teething.... so should chewing on the dummy if it's that.

Perservere with the dummy - it might take a little while til he gets the hang of it. The sucking will calm him when he works out how to do it.

Make sure you get the panadol that has the syringe rather than the one that has they eyedropper. The syringe fires it into the back of their mouth and they kinda just swallow it leaving no real chance to regurgitate it.... that's my experience anyway.

[red crayon]

i'm not sure it's teething. sounds like bub is overtired. once they get overtired, they are difficult to settle. my daughter took a while to get the hang of the dummy too so persevere. she was the same as your little one - always wanting to comfort suck. she turned the corner at 12 weeks and started sleeping much better.

some suggestions:

* do you have a night routine? if not, get one going and stick to it. same time every night or close to it. i do a feed, a bath, a top-up, a cuddle and then bed. after a while your bubba will know what to expect and will start to wind down in anticipation
* as suggested try a sling or baby bjorn during the day
* see what settling classes are available in your area. we have a tweddle near us and they helped me to help my daughter to settle in the cot without too much drama
* also as suggested, see if a friend or relative will help out and give you a break

good luck