I'm a useless mum

[kirsty_lee]

You are definately NOT a usless mum. I know it's hard hun, I really do. I have an 18 month old who STILL doesn't sleep properly, and it is completely tiring and draining. Now I know why they use sleep deprivation as a form of torture cause anyone would crack under that pressure. I don't have any advice because I still struggle to find out how to fix my own dd's sleep issues. But I couldn't read this without giving some and hoping it gets easier for you. Just keep reminding yourself your not useless, your trying to find a solution to your problem that's not useless babe.

[Artechim]

Taurean, you are not a bad mum! You deserve some kind of medal for continuing with breastfeeding after all the dramas you have had.

My DS was much like Izzy, he would only have day naps if I was holding him (fine in teh cot at night) and would very rarely sleep in the car/pram. I wasn't willing to leave him crying, so the only option was to hold him. I watched a lot of T.V. I wish I had known the joy of slings.

With DD, she will sleep happily in the cot at night but wakes within minutes during the day. So I just put her on the couch. Sometimes she will stay asleep, or even drift off on her own if she is tired. Other times she wakes up again and I put her in the sling or hold her.

My advice would be to do what works best for now, whether that is holding/sling etc. In time she will begin to have longer and more regular naps and you can work on getting into a cot when she is settling better, for now she is still new to everything.

It is probably worth a try with the colic relief stuff and to consider reflux. Does the sling keep her upright? If she is happier to settle in the upright position that can be a symptom of a reflux problem. It could just as easily be that she needs her mummy close to her for now (as my DS did, nothing wrong with him he was just a clingy bub).

Someone in DS's buddy group had a bit of success with Bowen Therapy to help her DD become more settled. I also find if I have anything caffine while BF then my bubs struggle to get to sleep even when they are very tired.

You are doing a great job, just hang in there and it will get better.