Extremely fussy 6 month old, advice needed.
CushyBaby
member
I haven't posted here in a LONG time, so please be nice.
I have a very high-maintenance 6 month old baby girl and I feel like I am going to melt down any minute. She has been this way since she was born. I can't put her down without her screaming and crying. I have tried the Ferber method, at my Dr's advice and it doesn't seem to be working.
I just can't hold her all day long and I don't know what else I could possibly try. I literally can't do anything. No laundry, no dishes. My house is a complete wreck and I need to be able to get something done for my sanity.
She only sleeps for about 45 minutes when she naps and she always wakes up screaming at the top of her lungs.
I'm just wondering if anyone has had any luck with other methods or personal experiences because I am willing to try anything.
Thanks,
Re: Extremely fussy 6 month old, advice needed.
Our family blog
I have tried wearing her, but not in awhile. I think I got away from that mostly because I realized that she was becoming too dependent on being on me all the time and I was hoping to break that habit before it got any worse. She is definitely getting enough to eat and no reflux. She has been on the same formula for quite some time and my Dr. hasn't suggested trying anything different to ease her fussiness. I have wondered if it was a formula issue though.
All I know is that it's exhausting!
Our family blog
Sorry, DD was a very difficult newborn and is still pretty fussy (although better). Until 3 months she was a wreck, then it gradually got better. She has pretty bad reflux. Has your LO been checked for reflux as well as allergies - we thought she had a milk intolerance.
I considered taking her to a chiropractor because I've heard it can help, but I never did, that might be something to try.
She hasn't been tested for reflux or allergies. I may take her into my Peds walk-in clinic one morning this week and have them check. As far as tummy sleeping, she used to sleep so well on her tummy, but since she learned to roll over, that was the end of that.
For the most part, I tell myself that I'm "used" to it and then have days, like today, when I just want to get something done. When I can't, it frustrates me so much. I guess if I was totally ok holding her all day and never doing any housework, then it wouldn't be such a problem for me!
Have you just tried putting her down in a rock-n-play or bouncy chair and just doing what you need to do and letting her cry a bit?
Also, is she rolling onto her back and then she can't get back on her stomach? DD was a collicky baby, but once she started rolling at 3 1/2 months, she slept like a champ and became the happiest baby in the world.
I would also check for milk allergies or reflux. Good luck.
I put her in her walker today and she cried for an hour straight. I actually timed it
She can roll from back to front and vice versa. She rolls SO much that she knocks her paci out what seems like 10 times a night and I'm up and down replacing it in between her needing to be fed at least twice a night as well.
I am working really, really hard on a schedule for her. My hubby is a police officer, so on his days off (which alternate being the same every other week), we are running around cramming in family time and running errands that I can't do when he is working. We rarely ever have two days that are the same and I know this is an issue. It's just one that is nearly unavoidable due to his job.
I would definitely get her checked for reflux, at least for your own peace of mind and to rule that out--our DS was extremely fussy as well (around 4-5 wks old) and we thought--this can't possibly be "normal" to cry for hours on end every day. I found a reflux "checklist" in Baby 411 and he had nearly every symptom! He was on Prevacid from that point until about 7 months old--it helped so much!
If not reflux, maybe go back to wearing her at least for a little while each day--my mantra is do what works and worry about breaking bad habits later (within reason).
If she wakes screaming then she is probably still tired and not rested, so I am guessing that she is overtired, too--anything you could do to start a regular schedule would help her get more rest and not be so cranky (I think I saw in another post that you are still working on getting her on a schedule). I read Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and we are trying to stick to the schedule he recommends: wake between 6-7, nap around 9 am and 1 pm, maybe third nap if needed around 4-5, and then in bed around 7-7:30. DS isn't a long napper either (especially at daycare--30-45 mins tops, most days) but this schedule seems to work well for him. Take care--it will get better!!
Thanks everyone for your advice! I have really been trying with a rigorous schedule the last few days and it does seem to help a little bit.
You girls are great!!!!!