You're not useless at all - look how hard you're working at this and how far you've already come! I completely agree with the others - you are both learning right now. This always entails a bit of trial and error.
In the second month of life babies are more unsettled and cry more. They just do. Sometimes there are other thigns going on - as you've identified, tiredness & overstimulation, or reflux etc. For the most part this is all quite normal.
Don't get me wrong, it's hard right now I know, but it will get better. Sometimes all you can do is just ride out the tough times by doing whatever makes things easier for the both of you. If she likes the sling, then use it as much as possible. Do you co-sleep at all? That can be a lifesaver and makes feeding easier too if you can get the hang of feeding lying down. Take whatever help you can from others. Even having someone watch her for a few hours while you catch up on sleep. Get others to do the shopping so you can stay home and let her rest more - a few quiet days can make big difference sometimes.
These can just be temporary solutions till things settle - then yiou can go back to putting her down for sleeps and using a pram etc. Sometimes, especially as new mothers, we worry too much about what we should or shouldn't be doing - according to recieved wisdomm or the so-called experts - that we actually end up making life so much harder for ourselves. Even if she was happy sleeping in a cot earlier, that doesn't mean she can do it right now. But equally, if you take her into your bed now (for eg) it doesn't mean she won't be happy in her cot in a few weeks time.
You are doing so well in what is a tough time. Just a few points- my DD wouldn't ever sleep in the pram in the shops even when very young so I just didn't take her out to save our sanity until things settled.
I too went to Ngala for a day stay and found it fabulous- very supportive and relaxing and you only do what you are comfortable with. I was very happy with my stay there!
Your bub sounds very much like my DD and her sleep patterns/behaviours early on but am happy to say that things do get better!
No sweetheart, you aren't. You're surviving, you're learning and your small one is still getting used to the world. They haven't read the books everyone has written about them either.
Tough little creatures aren't they? If it makes you feel any ounce better mine is not a pram lover either. Happy as larry in his slings.... You are doing an amazing job. Allow yourself to believe that.
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