My baby wont let me put her down!!

[MantaRay]

I had one DS who was like that and one who wasn't - they are all different Dotty and you are not doing anything wrong. You are a great mum and we have all been in that exhausted state, so don't be too hard on yourself Reflux might explain it, but my DS didn't have that, so there can be other reasons. On the plus side reflux meds will help if it is reflux, and either way things often improve after the early weeks - in my case it improved a bit after 12 weeks, and a lot after 16 weeks. Hang in there, it won't always be like this.

[Nettie]

Hi Dotty - you're such an awesome Mum!

I have two suggestions. Try putting a piece of your clothing which you've worn that day or the day before (so it smells like you) in the crib for bubs to lie on. It may trick her into staying there a bit longer.

Also, is she warm enough? I learnt this one the hard way. My DS would get cold out of our arms (we're suprisingly warm beings!) which made him cry out.

Try both those things and I'd love to hear if they help. They helped me, but my bub was pretty good to me really (and he was full term), so I haven't been in your shoes.

All the best of luck! I hope you get a break soon...

[*Beema*]

Oh Nettie your suggestion reminded me what we did!!!!

We used to put my breast pads in her bassinette, one's from that day, I tried it in the middle of the night one night and I was just exhausted and the only time she was resting was in my arms. Low and behold, she went to sleep and slept for a long longer than she had ever slept!

We then continued to do it for quite a while, especially at times when she has been unsettled at night..... like at the moment, and I have only just realised that I should try this again to see if it helps her overnight at the moment!!!

*Runs upstairs, rips out the breast pads and places them in the cot*

:hugs: Dotty, try to enjoy these times as it won't be long as they grow up sooo quickly! :hugs:
Take care
xxoo

[Reborn]

Ds was the same. I rolled up two old towels, wrapped thick blankets around them, then put them on either sides of the bassinet. Ds slept so much better. I think its from too much "emptiness" around them.

[Dotty]

Hi Manta Ray- thanks! i sure hope it passes soon! my girl is 11 weeks now, but her adjusted age is 5 weeks so who knows which age i go from?!?! either way, fingers crossed the reflux meds help, otherwise we'll jus keep searching to see why shes so irritable!
Hi Nettie, i really love those suggestions!! i'm definitely going to give them a go!! my girl starts reflux meds today too so fingers crossed that improves things also!
Beema- yeah i',m trying to enjoy the cuddles before they disappear...sometimes hard when you are buggered though
Waiting- thanks...will try that too!!

[catherinemoses]

You've got heaps of great suggestions here. I just want to add: have you tried a wedge pillow under her head so she is on a bit of an angle? Also does she like sleeping on her tummy? When DS was little he liked best to sleep on his tummy, so during the day I would have him where I could keep an eye on him and let him sleep on his tummy. Might be worth a try?
I hope you get a breakthrough soon.
I would probably go more from the adjusted age than her actual age.
HTH, you are doing a great job.

[*Beema*]

Hi [COLOR="Magenta"]my girl is 11 weeks now, but her adjusted age is 5 weeks so who knows which age i go from?!?! either way, fingers crossed the reflux meds help, otherwise we'll jus keep searching to see why shes so irritable!
QUOTE]

You go on her corrected age for about the first 12 months, it depends on the prematurity, often the more prem the longer they give them to "catch up". We often just used her corrected age to avoid questions, but unfortuantly when you are nearly 1kg, below the 1st%ile base on corrected age we still go sooo many comments about how tiny she was, now we just get how cute she is

It can be hard to enjoy the cuddles when you are so exhausted and you just want a break :confort:

Take Care
xxoo

[sunshine_sieben]

I haven't read all the answers you got, but i just wanted to send you hugs. My DD was like that, too. For about 3 months. I ended up carrying her in the Hug-a-Bub most of the day and we co-slept at night. I don't know how that would fit into your life, but for me, it was the ideal solution. She is now the most independent and rambunctious little 2 year old you could imagine. Although she still looooves her cuddles, which I am thrilled about, because I love our cuddles, too.

Sasa

[Dotty]

catherinemoses- thanks for the advice. we have elevated her bassinette but might try the wedge pillow too.
Beema- yeah i know what you mean!! Lily is 11 weeks and people still ask 'how many days old is she'? they look at me very strange when i say 11 weeks...even if i said 5 weeks they would still look shocked i think!! i cant wait for her to catch up, although is soooo cute, even though she is tiny!
sunshine_sieben- sounds exactly like my little one!!!! i think i can handle 3 months of this...fingers crossed its not too much longer

[Dotty]

sunshine_sieben Yeah ive tried lying down with her...doesnt work either! She physically has to be 'on' me in order to sleep....aghh very frustrating!!! but i really think she still just feels so afraid and needs that comfort. She is slowly getting better, she now screams a bit less when put down, so im hoping with time it gets better and with baby steps we will get her sleeping on her own!
nettie- yes ive tried putting the clothes in the basinnete....but no luck! as soon as shes in it she screams blue murder...will keep trying though
V21- thanks for the cyber hug, lets hope it helps