tips to make ds's sleep oatterns easier to manage

[CoNNiE_Melb]

Oh hun, I felt the same with my first baby. It's exhausting and overwhelming, but it can definitely get better.

What's his sleep like overnight? What worked for us is routine. So getting him up at the same time every morning and putting him down at the same time every night.

If you're really desperate you can consider going to a sleep school, but it's possible to do it yourself at home. It takes trial and error, patience, commitment and support from your partner. All things that probably seem tough at the moment because you're so tired... But it'll be worth it when you see the benefits.
Where are you located?

[sail_away]

Im in brisbane

he wakes up between 5.30 & 6.30 every morning & I havent been able to get it to be the samevtime every day so I just have to go with it.

He sleeps from about 7 or 8pm (depending on how overtired he is = how long it takes hubby to get him down), till 10pm when he has a feed, then he sleeps through from around 11pm to the morning.

So im happy with the night sleep, im just struggling with having a screaming baby all day

edit: well he has just slept for an hour & a half in his rocker, with no crying at all. So I guess he just sleeps in his rocker from now on. Better try & find a bigger one cause he's almost too long for it. I dont like it but it seems I have no choice.

[Em_325]

Check out the my little lamb swings. They have a higher kg rating so you can use them for longer. Also re not liking leaving him unsupervised in it could you try putting it in the main area where you are so you can keep an eye on him but still get on with things? That is what I did with DS or if I had to do something noisy like vacuuming I would set him up with the video monitor on him so I could still see him- I only did that for short periods though as I preferred having him near me. Hang in there this too shall pass xxx

[AlligatorsMum]

Sail-away
I'm from brisbane and wonder if you have private health? I know not every one likes sleep schools etc but I work with paediatricians that are connected with the Brisbane Nurture centre (mother baby unit) at the north west private hospital. If you have private health u just need a referral from a gp or pead and it's fully covered by your private health? It's a week long stay and sometimes it's just nice to have a week to stay and get meals done, people to talk to (8 babies with their mums each week) and nurses to help and reassure you.

A friend has also been there with her little boy when he was a similar age and they helped her a lot with reading sleep cues and knowing how to help them settle to sleep ( with her in their with bub) so not cry it out specifically. There is a little bit of protesting but drf different to CIO methods.

Just something to maybe look into ?

[onthefly]

You're not useless! You're a brand new mum figuring stuff out, which is what we all are to begin with (and for a long time, quite frankly).

That's great he's sleeping well overnight. Do you have a sling or baby carrier? I would suggest you or your partner (or other helper) wear him as much as possible during the day to allow you hands-free time to do things. It often helps them sleep better, also. You can pop him in, jiggle around, carry on with your day and avoid the hour of pre-sleep struggle.

My honest advice is this: If doing things this way is not working, do something easier. Just cuddle or feed or rock to sleep, whatever works.

[sail_away]

Alligators mum - im in the process of getting a referral to the public sleep school. Surprisingly their wait list is shorter than the nurture centre & my PHI doesnt cover it all anyway so I cant afford it

[Mildez]

Sail away I am so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. Things will improve. Some babies are incredibly difficult regardless of what parenting style you use or what you try.

There is a good app that may be usedful called Rockabub by safe sleep space. Even try googling safe sleep space for more info on it.

You said you have seeked help. Can you see someone else?