baby not settling
Question:
Hi there
We have a 10.5wk aold daughter, Amelia, who we can not get settled. We have suffered through up to 4hours of various levels of crying and screaming. The only time we get any length of peace is if Amelia is asleep in our arms with the dummy firmly inserted.
Amelia is BF and also has reflux. I am worried that my milk isnt "rich" enough to satisfy her as she wont settle, regardless of how much she feeds and how sleepy she is when she finishes.
I have tried watching for her sleep cues, yawns, but with no success.
She enjoys munching on her dummy but this is becoming a problem in that as soon as it drops out she is screaming again and even harder to settle. Strangely enough once she is asleep she is sleeping well, some nights she goes for 7-8 hours without waking, it is just the lead up to sleep that is killing us.
We are at our wits end. Any suggestions would be greatfully accepted.
Many Thanks
Karyn.
Catriona's Response:
Hi Karyn
It sounds like you are having an exhausting time!
A couple of things:
Is she on any treatment for her reflux? Does she vomit?
Is she gaining weight and following a growth line?
Are you eating well and drinking plenty of water yourself?
Have you got some support during the day?
Does your daughter sleep in a pram?
Some Suggestions:
During the day, generally the best routine is feed> play > sleep. Feed is in your arms, Play is when you put her on the floor/ roll her back and forth onto and off her tummy, THEN watch for cranky tired signs - wait for her to whinge - THEN it is a wrap and off to bed! Settling and resettling can be practiced at least once a day for 1-1.5 hours!
If your baby is gaining weight, has plenty of good wet nappies in a day and is pooing well, then please DO NOT worry about whether your breast milk is rich enough. Breast milk is perfectly balanced for your babies nutritional requirements!
The aim is for your baby to self settle!! It is normal for babies to change their patterns regularly in these early days! They often change their pattern every 2 weeks! Just when you thought you where getting a grip on things, it all changes again!
Things do generally improve by 12 weeks!!!
An example of a day:
0600 – Breast feed
0630 – Allow some play time on the floor. - Watch for tired signs - then Act! Your baby may have a nap of 30-40 minutes.
0800 - May want another feed? Remember if sleeping for long periods overnight she might need to cluster feed at this time.
Allow some play time on the floor. - Watch for tired signs - then Act!
0900 – Put into Bed – try settling / resettling for up to 1.5 hours. Please see Tips & Advice on Sleep & Settling (0-6 Months).
1100 – Breast feed
After feed put baby back on the floor to play – watch for tired signs.
1230pm – Bed – try settling / resettling for 1.5 hours.
2pm – Breast Feed
Go out for a walk, to the shops, to the park etc.
4pm - Breast feed
4.30pm – Your baby may have a nap in the pram or your arms for approx. 30 mins.
4.30pm -If still asleep at this time wake up!
5.00pm – Bath
6.00 - 6.30pm – Breast feed. Straight to bed after this feed (no play time)
6.45-7pm – Bed
10pm - Breast feed
2 am - Breast feed
Also, depending on where you live, your child health centre can usually support and advise you.
All the best.
Please let me know how you get on?
This response has been prepared by a health care professional on behalf of Baby Love in response to an email query. It is intended to be a general educational aid only. It is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified child health care professional with any questions you may have regarding the health of your child. We cannot guarantee, and will not be responsible for any damage or loss related to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information or for any direct or indirect consequence relating to any action or inaction you take based on this email.
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