What do you do to stay sane?

sstaylor14

My LO will sleep for a good stretch from 10-1, and then again from about 5-8.  The hours between 1 and 4 are an absolute nightmare!  She's not content to be placed ANYWHERE, and even our go-to last resort of her carrier won't pacify her lately (coming up on 6 weeks).  I've tried swaddled, half swaddled, removing it, more feedings, another diaper change, the techniques from "Happiest Baby", etc, etc, and it just seems like right now none of it does ANYTHING to make her want to sleep, or want to be out of my arms.  I don't MIND holding her, but between fatigue and sore muscles sometimes I just really can't last the duration.  Then I start getting really frustrated and literally feel like pulling on my hair.  I'll get her settled, then the second I put her down, she's screaming again... and so am I!  I know "this will pass" and it's only temporary, but in the meantime, what do you do to keep your head?  I just feel like in the middle of the night I have a hard time being reasonable, feel like I'm doing something wrong, there's something wrong with her, her behavior is atypical, etc, etc.  Tell me I'm not alone?  And share what you tell yourself to keep it together during those rough hours???

BabyCakes3

Fussiness peaks at 6 weeks. It will be over before you know it. What about a quick walk outside or a drive? I can just step on the back porch & DS will stop crying & most of the time go to sleep.

Does she like the swing or a bouncy that vibrates? Make sure when she gets up to eat that you don't change her, unswaddle her or talk to her. She should eat & go back to sleep (well that's the goal anyways) Just keep trying to put her down. Maybe even let her fuss for 2 min each time. Just keep trying & she'll figure it out.

But maybe pick one thing & stick with it. Trying too many things will make her more alert.

What about white noise? Most babies like LOUD white noise. Kind of like shushing.

sstaylor14

BabyCakes3:

Fussiness peaks at 6 weeks. It will be over before you know it. What about a quick walk outside or a drive? I can just step on the back porch & DS will stop crying & most of the time go to sleep.

Does she like the swing or a bouncy that vibrates? Make sure when she gets up to eat that you don't change her, unswaddle her or talk to her. She should eat & go back to sleep (well that's the goal anyways) Just keep trying to put her down. Maybe even let her fuss for 2 min each time. Just keep trying & she'll figure it out.

But maybe pick one thing & stick with it. Trying too many things will make her more alert.

What about white noise? Most babies like LOUD white noise. Kind of like shushing.

 Do you have any recommendations for loud white noise?  I have the noise machine inside the sheep, but that doesn't seem to help.  Also, I know it's best not to change her every time, but I can't get past wondering if she needs a change and that's part of why she's crying.  Does everyone just check every other time the baby's up, or what sort of schedule do you use for this?  I'd appreciate the input.  Thanks so much for all the ideas!

Zephyr331

I do a smell check in the middle of the night...if it's poopy I change it.  If not, I let it go.

I don't have a white noise machine, but my son loves his Fisher Price Precious Planet Mobile.  I put it on the nature or heart beat sound.

 Until about a month ago, he refused to sleep more than an hour or two in his crib so we swaddled him in his swing or car seat.  He seemed to like the smaller space much better.

Good luck!  This too will pass!

Overwild

A small table fan is good for white noise. We have one and face it toward the wall on the floor.

BabyCakes3

sstaylor14:

BabyCakes3:

Fussiness peaks at 6 weeks. It will be over before you know it. What about a quick walk outside or a drive? I can just step on the back porch & DS will stop crying & most of the time go to sleep.

Does she like the swing or a bouncy that vibrates? Make sure when she gets up to eat that you don't change her, unswaddle her or talk to her. She should eat & go back to sleep (well that's the goal anyways) Just keep trying to put her down. Maybe even let her fuss for 2 min each time. Just keep trying & she'll figure it out.

But maybe pick one thing & stick with it. Trying too many things will make her more alert.

What about white noise? Most babies like LOUD white noise. Kind of like shushing.

 Do you have any recommendations for loud white noise?  I have the noise machine inside the sheep, but that doesn't seem to help.  Also, I know it's best not to change her every time, but I can't get past wondering if she needs a change and that's part of why she's crying.  Does everyone just check every other time the baby's up, or what sort of schedule do you use for this?  I'd appreciate the input.  Thanks so much for all the ideas!

DD has this one ...  https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14643125 

DS has this one ... https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=13630208

DS pooped a lot at night for the first few weeks but now we know he doesn't poop at night so I don't even check if he seems really sound asleep. I will change him if he seems restless though.

If he won't stay down after a few tries, then I cuddle him in bed with my arm around him so he can settle down & then I move him to the bouncy. 

Sort of pick a routine & work towards it. Mine is pick up DS feed him & put him back down. If he cries, I'll pat his chest & shh him & turn on the white noise on my phone & put it by the bouncy really loud. It's set to 30 min. If that doesn't work, I'll pick him up. Once he settles, I'll put him back down. I'll try that a few times & then bring him to bed for a little cuddling.

Ardmhs83

We use a cd with an hour straight of a vacuum cleaner sounds.  We put it on repeat so it keeps playing!  We ordered it from Amazon.  It is called "Baby's Vacuum Cleaner CD."  It's only like 12.99.  Cover of cd is yellow.  You can make it as loud as your cd player goes.