Jekyll and Hyde

battybtags · January 2012

During the day, C does great-she nurses about every 2.5 hours and sleeps like a champ (most of the time swaddled, but sometimes not). Once bedtime (8pm-ish) hits, it's like a switch goes off. She'll nurse and fall asleep so I'll put her in her crib. Within 10min shes screaming her head off frantically looking to suck on anything. M-W nights she did great at night-just like daytime. Last night and tonight are crazy-last night both DH and I only slept an hour (A woke up overnight too which never happens). Last night we really had no idea what to do so she'd end up nursing a lot-but she'd take like 3 sucks and be asleep-then wake up again 10min later wanting to suck something. She had a docs appt today so we mentioned it and he really gave no answer-he said we could give her a pacifier (we have been tonight and shes fine until she spits it out then she wakes again) and said not to nurse her unless its been about 2hrs-he doesnt want me to become her pacifier. Any tips/tricks/advice? She nurses the same amt of time day/night (and gained 5oz in 2days!) so I know shes not hungry-she just wants to suck something but I cant sit there holding the pacifier all night for her either!

Telyco · January 2012

Seems like she sort of has her days and nights switched - so I would really try to reinforce DAY to her...by keeping her up and stimulated as much as you can during the day (I really like the EASY method from the baby whisperer) and then keep things DARK and relaxed at night. Not even changing her unless she pooped. So I didn't nurse to sleep during the day - just nursed when they woke, changed and stimulated for a little bit, then rocked to sleep. At night I would just nurse and rock to sleep.

I guess this can be a confession...but when we swaddled we would make sure the blanket was high enough to sort of tuck the binky (a soothie) into it...so even if they stopped sucking it wouldn't pop out. (I'm not talking OMG TIGHT....just a little tip touched)

I agree with not being a pacifier too - if she's just taking little sips of foremilk she'll never get FULL and therefore never get into a deep sleep. I would try to hold off until she is nice and hungry so she can get a good amount in.

HANG IN THERE!!!!