i'm out of ideas - fighting sleep

rbtrumpet · January 2014

I know we've had a ton of sleep posts lately, but I need more creative ideas. L has been awake since 3am! All she wants to do is nurse, and is absolutely over-tired and fighting sleep.

I've tried:

5S's

nursing

rocking/bouncing/walking

swing, rock n play, newborn napper, carrier

every pacifier we own

She's clean (I've changed her diaper every 2-3 hours), she's fed, but I can't get her to sleep. From about 3-6am, she'd fall asleep, but as soon as her eyes closed, she'd start crying and they'd pop open, then from about 6am on, she doesn't even want to close her eyes. I got about 5 min of sleep in the carrier, and maybe a min or two after some of the feedings, but she won't stay asleep.

Any creative ideas? I can't let a 5-week-old cry it out

daniann333 · January 2014

not sure what the weather is like where you are but if it is on the colder side, then take LO down to onsie put in RNP and turn on vibrate and put in the bathroom with the shower running with hot water. We call them the steam release. DS will cry for about 10 min but then falls asleep and the steam moisturizes the throat from all the crying.

aeterhune · January 2014

Car ride around the block? If she stays asleep when you take the car seat out of the car, just let her sleep there.

rbtrumpet · January 2014

daniann333 said:

not sure what the weather is like where you are but if it is on the colder side, then take LO down to onsie put in RNP and turn on vibrate and put in the bathroom with the shower running with hot water. We call them the steam release. DS will cry for about 10 min but then falls asleep and the steam moisturizes the throat from all the crying.

interesting - I do need a shower, so win-win!

aeterhune said:

Car ride around the block? If she stays asleep when you take the car seat out of the car, just let her sleep there.

I was craving Taco Bell, but didn't want to go out because the closest one is really far - maybe I should go. Car rides are about 50/50 - she'll either fall asleep or scream bloody murder (seriously, the hardest she's ever cried was in the car seat!)

cagoldi · January 2014

I vote car ride, also. Or a walk around the block in the carrier or stroller if it's not too cold. Sometimes I think they just need a change if scenery.

A weird one that calms DS is staring at the celilng fan while it's spinning.

A sure fire way to settle him is to lie next to him and snuggle close, give him his paci, and stroke his hair. He usually conks out in a few minutes.

Jojo714 · January 2014

My 7 week old just had a 13 hour sleepless marathon. She fed and fed and has finally now fallen asleep. The night before she was good and the night before that it was an 11 1/2 hour marathon. I just walked while rocking her around the house for the last half hour. She's out. I cannot wait till whatever this is is over.

tammura · January 2014

I vote car ride! Not a ride around the block but a freeway type... With constant movement. That has worked for me, but getting to the freeway was hard because she was screaming!

JaysonandKristin · January 2014

I almost tagged her... Came | | this close...

Get online... find the F A R T H E S T Starbucks from your house within reason (obviously) and hit it. Strap LO in, crank up your favorite tunes and drive. Grab yourself some espresso (because you probably need it), and let the car ride soothe LO.

Good luck!!

tammura · January 2014

JaysonandKristin said:

I almost tagged her... Came | | this close...

Get online... find the F A R T H E S T Starbucks from your house within reason (obviously) and hit it. Strap LO in, crank up your favorite tunes and drive. Grab yourself some espresso (because you probably need it), and let the car ride soothe LO.

Good luck!!

Laughing because I totally get what you are referring to as far as tagging, LOL

And yes, distance is key!

rbtrumpet · January 2014

JaysonandKristin said:

I almost tagged her... Came | | this close...

Get online... find the F A R T H E S T Starbucks from your house within reason (obviously) and hit it. Strap LO in, crank up your favorite tunes and drive. Grab yourself some espresso (because you probably need it), and let the car ride soothe LO.

Good luck!!

please no! I've been trying to put her back to sleep since she woke up - it's not like I let her get over-tired on purpose!!!

Maybe I'll look for a drive-through Starbucks, because I'm pretty sure there is none close to me! Anyone know if caffeine really affects baby? I've been avoiding it because I heard it can cross into the breast milk, and the LAST thing I need is something that will eventually keep her MORE awake!

JaysonandKristin · January 2014

rbtrumpet said:

JaysonandKristin said:

I almost tagged her... Came | | this close...

Get online... find the F A R T H E S T Starbucks from your house within reason (obviously) and hit it. Strap LO in, crank up your favorite tunes and drive. Grab yourself some espresso (because you probably need it), and let the car ride soothe LO.

Good luck!!

please no! I've been trying to put her back to sleep since she woke up - it's not like I let her get over-tired on purpose!!!

Maybe I'll look for a drive-through Starbucks, because I'm pretty sure there is none close to me! Anyone know if caffeine really affects baby? I've been avoiding it because I heard it can cross into the breast milk, and the LAST thing I need is something that will eventually keep her MORE awake!

Yes and no. DS1 and DS2 caffeine never got to them. DD... heck to the yes!! I can only have one cup of coffee per day. You have to just wait and watch what it does.

tammura · January 2014

I am a huge coffee drinker and always have been. By huge I mean daily, 2 cups, if that. I continued drinking coffee though out my pregnancy, which was ok'd by my Dr. I still drink a cup or 2 in the morning, most days. I tried an experiment when my baby seemed to be having trouble sleeping and went 5 days with no caffeine at all, and there was no difference in her sleep. She is 7 weeks now and I am back to drinking my coffee, and have been for weeks, and she has just started to sleep better.

I can't say that caffeine is ok or not but it hasn't been a factor for us.

PeachsMama · January 2014

Caffeine was the cause of our gas problem. I tried cutting out everything before caffeine (I would kill for a large McDonald coke!!!!) but once I cut the caffeine I haven't had to use gas drops or gripe water. He's only the normal level of gassy now. Not screaming cause his belly hurts gassy. So if her gas picks up you'll know why. But it affects every baby differently. I'll pray it doesn't affect her !

Jennybabe0706 · January 2014

I agree w the car rides....it is the only thing to calm my girl down when she is really upset..I will literally put her in the car and run every errand I can think of that involves a drive through (coffee, the bank, gas at the full service station lol). Starbucks has really yummy hot apple cider this time of year too if you don't want to risk the caffeine. Although with the lack of sleep I'm sure you need it. Good luck!!

juliane2004 · January 2014

tammura said:

JaysonandKristin said:

I almost tagged her... Came | | this close...

Good luck!!

Laughing because I totally get what you are referring to as far as tagging, LOL

HA-larious

Peace, I'm out.

michelleh0385 · January 2014

I second the blow dryer or maybe the vacuum. Works for us sometimes...

rbtrumpet · January 2014

GOBLU1274 said:

Is it just me or did I just witness a GBCB?? OP, If I'm not mistaken, I think there is a sleep schedule and a useful YouTube video floating around here somewhere....

I've seen the schedule, it doesn't mean anything if LO won't sleep, though

juliane2004 · January 2014

GOBLU1274 said:
Is it just me or did I just witness a GBCB??

Def not a GBCB, just a "y'all are on your own with sleep issues."

JamieCallow · January 2014

Blowdryer and white noise works for us almost every time! I use the free sound sleeper app for the iPhone! Good luck!

alexisjo88 · January 2014

juliane2004 said:

Is it just me or did I just witness a GBCB??
Def not a GBCB, just a "y'all are on your own with sleep issues."

It's about freaking time you got the hint.

rbtrumpet · January 2014

juliane2004 said:

Is it just me or did I just witness a GBCB??
Def not a GBCB, just a "y'all are on your own with sleep issues."

if you have any advice outside of that schedule, I'm all ears! The schedule means squat right now, as I started trying to get her to sleep 30 min after she woke up - but she hasn't slept more than 5 min at a time in the last 15 hours!

CarrieB. · January 2014

Wearing the baby, patting her lower back and vacuuming all at the same time was a good option for me.

jaymayhatton · January 2014

If the car ride doesn't work maybe try jumping in the shower with LO. I tried it last night for the first time and R loved it. Calmed her down instantly. Then I put her in her warmest pjs and rocked her for a little bit then she was out. Hth

rbtrumpet · January 2014

jaymayhatton said:

If the car ride doesn't work maybe try jumping in the shower with LO. I tried it last night for the first time and R loved it. Calmed her down instantly. Then I put her in her warmest pjs and rocked her for a little bit then she was out. Hth

you took her into the shower? I tried the rock n play in the bathroom while I showered, but she screamed the whole time

tammura · January 2014

did you get your little one to sleep??

Jojo714 · January 2014

jaymayhatton said:
If the car ride doesn't work maybe try jumping in the shower with LO. I tried it last night for the first time and R loved it. Calmed her down instantly. Then I put her in her warmest pjs and rocked her for a little bit then she was out. Hth

This really does work- btw, the showering with little one. atleast it does for me... Although, I have no idea why I don't try and do it during the wee hours of the morning. I do it as part of the bedtime routine and she's out... But no matter what- 1am- 1:30am is the witching hour. I'm going to try this one.

rbtrumpet · January 2014

tammura said:

did you get your little one to sleep??

not yet, she is starting to calm down and give me some time after each feed, though.

She just took a bath, and her zantac again, so we'll see if anything helps. she usually goes down for a 3-hour stretch around 7-9, so hopefully some routine works in our favor...

tammura · January 2014

not yet, she is starting to calm down and give me some time after each feed, though.

She just took a bath, and her zantac again, so we'll see if anything helps. she usually goes down for a 3-hour stretch around 7-9, so hopefully some routine works in our favor…

Wow, your LO sure is ginning you a run for your money, isn't she? Well I am glad to hear she is calming down and i really hope that she knocks out soon! Good Luck

rbtrumpet · January 2014

tammura said:

not yet, she is starting to calm down and give me some time after each feed, though.

She just took a bath, and her zantac again, so we'll see if anything helps. she usually goes down for a 3-hour stretch around 7-9, so hopefully some routine works in our favor…

Wow, your LO sure is ginning you a run for your money, isn't she? Well I am glad to hear she is calming down and i really hope that she knocks out soon! Good Luck

all I'm gonna say is, thank God for wine (and the fact that I can drink again)!!! ETA: And for a good husband who will take screaming baby while I eat dinner and dessert and drink said wine! (which was maybe 10 min tops)

tammura · January 2014

rbtrumpet said:

tammura said:

not yet, she is starting to calm down and give me some time after each feed, though.

She just took a bath, and her zantac again, so we'll see if anything helps. she usually goes down for a 3-hour stretch around 7-9, so hopefully some routine works in our favor…

Wow, your LO sure is ginning you a run for your money, isn't she? Well I am glad to hear she is calming down and i really hope that she knocks out soon! Good Luck

all I'm gonna say is, thank God for wine (and the fact that I can drink again)!!!

I don't care how that makes me sound!

I don't think that makes you sound any-kind-of-way!! I love a glass of wine every now and then just because... and you clearly deserve it.

rbtrumpet · January 2014

Woohoo! Terrible day rewarded with sleep from 8pm to 1:30am - 5.5 hours!!! Her previous record was 3 hours. I never thought I'd be so excited to get 5 hours of sleep! (Although I'm not convinced 17 hours of screaming is worth the two extra hours of sleep). Man, I hope tomorrow is better!

Want a personalized experience?

i'm out of ideas - fighting sleep

Re: i'm out of ideas - fighting sleep

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Want a personalized experience?

i'm out of ideas - fighting sleep

Re: i&#039;m out of ideas - fighting sleep

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Re: i'm out of ideas - fighting sleep