Its not getting any better - we need help!

[Gigi]

Arimeh
i'm just about to order some Badger's Sleep Balm (from urbanbaby), to dab on bilby and me, to make us both sleep better (and hopefully in her case, longer).

i have never got my @#$% together enough, to have calming music playing in her room, we have the cd's, but no portable player.

Dh's idea is always to take her to lougne and watch telly til she falls asleep, but all the advice i have been given, is keep them where the lights are dim and there is no stimulation (audio, visual) etc.

An idea (usually given for much younger children) is to have an item of YOUR clothing (so i'ts got your scent on it) in with the child's bedding.

i lived on two hours sleep per 24 hours, for the first 20 months, it is HELL. Did the sleep school thing for two weeks, made it worst not better (they forced controlled crying onto us). Was very traumatising too, (no respect for any attachment parenting ideas, no respect for parents full stop.).

you have my sympathies hon.

bilby still doesn't sleep the 12 hours like other people post their kids do, but compared to what she WAS like, it is better now. i cannot imagine going thru that situation, ON TOP of being pregnant! i needed so many Nanna naps when preg.

is there a Parent Helpline in Tassie?

[onthefly]

We took some lovely shots of DS' bum when he had hf&m - we emailed them to MIL (she's a retired nurse). He only had the odd spot on his hands and feet, which appeared several days after the really bad bum rash started. Maybe google it and see if it looks like that - something else to rule out at least.

[Willow]

Oh Mel - I just remembered after reading Marcellus' post... when DS had HF&M it started on his bum too. I thought it was nappy rash for about 2 weeks. Wasn't till I couldn't clear it that I took him to the GP and yep, that's what it was! Apparently it often starts in the nappy area with little ones.

[koru]

heya - i haven't read all the posts since the one where you mentioned cramping and growth pains so someone may have suggested this already but have you given her Magnesium? often deficient in periods of growth and can make you cranky. magnesium is a muscle relaxant so you need to take it at night as it makes you sleepy (so could be just the ticket). for such a littlie probably best to go with a magnesium tissue salt or celloid rather than full-on mineral supplement. speak to someone at a specialist health store or naturopath
i second the suggestions of lavendar oil in bath/massage oil, chamomile tea and rescue remedy (not from personal experience yet but as a naturopathy student)