Chained to a wheel

[SunnyRain]

I always put him in his bassinet to sleep, although he does fall asleep on my boob very suddenly so I can't stop him doing that because there's no warning and once he's asleep I can't wake him, then I put him in the bassinet but he still wakes up soon after.

He has a dummy but he spits it out once he falls asleep. I don't always put the dummy in his mouth, sometimes he's not interested but if he's having a tantrum and refusing to sleep even though I know he's tired I'll insist on the dummy and I stay with him, stroking his hair and singing to him, or reading to him until he falls asleep.

Getting him asleep isn't really the problem (although sometimes it is incredibly difficult), it's keeping him asleep. Maybe he's hungry ... maybe I really don't have enough boob milk but it doesn't help that he falls asleep while feeding and suckles instead of feeding. Sometimes I think it would be better for him if I gave up breastfeeding and just gave him measured doses from the bottle. I can't express so there's no way I could feed him EBM, so it's formula or boob.

[Macca79]

it can be hard, bloody hard when you can't get enough sleep. It makes everything worse, I know as my DS didn't start sleep much at all until he was about 6 months. He still doesn't sleep through now.

A book that helped me out was Save Our Sleep by Tizzy Hall. It has suggested routines for babies of all ages. I found it very rigid and didn't bother trying to put DS on her routines but I found her self settling techniques very helpful as it is a friendlier alternative to things like controlled crying. I am happy to post you my copy if you want a look at it.

Is there a play group you can go too. I left my mothers group at 8 weeks (as long as it went for) and joined a local PG. Give the Playgroup association in your area a call and they can direct you to one for bubs. I found at 2 months DS didn't really care about it but it was a great social occasion for me. Got me out of the house and gave me the chance to chat with others.

Just another gentle suggestion, maybe you are suffering from a bit of PND? Could be worth exploring as it comes in many shapes and forms and effects women in different ways.

[Mum0809]

Have you tried sleeping him on his tummy for his day sleep. DS would only sleep for about 40 minutes at a time. At 6 months I put him on his tummy to sleep and his day sleep increased to 2+hours. With the next bub I will be doing it alot earier if s/he isn't a good sleeper.

[Smoke Jaguar]

this can be such a challenging time in a woman's life! I know it's hard to think about - picture yourself if 5 years' time, remembering how difficult it was and wondering how long it's been since it was like that cos you're not in that space anymore! Actually, it doesn't even take 5 years to get to that point - DS is 2.5 yo and whilst I remember a baby who didn't want to sleep for long, it seems like a lifetime ago.
First, don't be afraid to 'rely' on your wrap. When I finally was lent my HAB, I absolutely relied on it to get stuff done whilst DS slept for an hour or two, finally!
Second thing is that recently I've been doing some reading into Elimination Communication, which I want to practice for the next one (which as far as I know hasn't even been conceived yet). I'm not saying you need to do this, before I go on - I read something in my readings that was very illuminating. Part of his waking may be that he's wetting himself or needing to do a poo and he is letting you know. Babies are born not wanting to soil themselves and we train them out of this by keeping them in nappies (because of our lifestyles, where we are often in a situation that doesn't allow us to pull a nappy off to let baby 'go' in a nearby bucket etc). I have read in various sources anecdotes about babies who ceased crying immediately after waking up and being allowed to toilet, or to have a nappy change, and gradually sleeping for longer when they knew their parents were on the same page and would see to them having a dry nappy on at all times (or no nappy, whichever method they were using).
Anyway, my point is that even if you're not into EC, it could well be that after that amount of time in bed, your little one needs to do a wee or poo and doesn't want to let it go because of the discomfort of having to eliminate in a nappy. Some babies are more sensitive to this than others. The anecdotes suggest that there are lots of babies who's undiagnosed 'unsettledness' has disappeared with more attentive nappy changes (or just not using them, where practical). I'm suggesting keeping a real eye on nappies, disposable or cloth, and when your baby is really upset, pull the nappy off and give him a chance to be clean. The worst that can happen is that you discover this is not the problem and you can discount this as a reason!
Now, I'm going to second the ABA idea and suggest that not only you call them about the feeding, but also go along to your local group meeting. There will be babies of varying ages, there will be first time mothers as well as mothers of more than one baby. This was fantastic for me when DS was little because my mothers group wasn't formed till he was 4 months old and I started my ABA group when DS was 2 weeks old. I loved the wealth of experience my group offered, as well as the company of mummies to babies the same age as DS.
I was able to ignore all the 'shoulds' and the 'rod for your back' comments because my Booby Club was 100% behind me and believed in my instinctual skill to mother my baby against the prevailing wisdom of routines, sleep schools etc.
Anyway, you're in such a fuzz right now and it sounds like you need to give yourself a break from the self-beatings. I've known women here on BB to recommend and swear by deciding on a day to just nude up and stay in bed with their baby (also nuded up to a nappy or less) and let the baby have unrestricted access to boob and cuddles for that whole day. Clear the decks in your diary for that day so that you're under no pressure to be anywhere or to be anything to anyone except mummy to your baby.
It really sounds like you want to reconnect with your baby and the pressure to conform to all the 'should' messages we get from health nurses and baby training books is overwhelming you, hun. Your baby actually knows a hell of a lot more than he will ever be aware of and all he is doing is responding to some very compelling messages his body is giving him...we just have to trust and figure out what is going to alleviate their discomfort...it's not easy, and we're here to support you whilst you go on this journey.
Sorry for throwing more things into the mix. There is no 'one size fits all' method for babies. Similar signs and behaviours from other babies don't necessarily mean the problem is the same - just the reactions to the problem are.
again - you are doing the best you can and that is all you can ask of yourself, and your baby wants just that, you and your best (not someone else's best). You are his world, hun - it starts and ends with you, as far as he's concerned, and that's just how it is
ETA: was thinking about it some more in the shower and forgot to mention that hair falling out at this stage is completely normal! During pregnancy your hair doesn't fall out and some months after the birth the ones that would have fallen out otherwise start to shed. I lost heaps of hair (not that I cared, cos my hair is normally incredibly, impossibly thick!) at this time, and I had been forewarned that it would happen, too, from the wonderful mummies I got to know who had previous children.
I would really caution against using baby training books at this stage. For both of your wellbeing in the short and long term, it can lead to maladaptive behaviour if you override whatever he's trying to tell you by teaching him to ignore it and to 'self-settle' instead. It's very rewarding the first time you pick up on something your baby is telling you and you realise that you've done something to alleviate their stress, just by listening to them and trusting.
This last bit may attract flak from other members and I'm posting it because this site's original aim was for gentle, instinctual parenting (as a reaction to PND and the disconnectedness from instinct and your baby that baby training can create, by the site's creator).
Many women have walked the path you are walking now. Knowing that may or may not inspire you to get through this time more peacefully and patiently.
This time with your baby is such a blip on the timescale of his life and the time that you will be actively caring for him. If you wish away this time, you also wish away the precious elements that are embedded in it that you don't get at any other time of your child's life. I'd urge you to speak to a counsellor to keep on top of your feelings (especially as you describe yourself as being socially isolated - not a natural situation for human mummies), make sure you don't have a form of PND and get into some kind of sync with Jude, who just wants you to be you and no-one else.
You have empathy here a squillion times over in BB!

[Lolli]

Getting him asleep isn't really the problem (although sometimes it is incredibly difficult), it's keeping him asleep. Maybe he's hungry ... maybe I really don't have enough boob milk but it doesn't help that he falls asleep while feeding and suckles instead of feeding. Sometimes I think it would be better for him if I gave up breastfeeding and just gave him measured doses from the bottle. I can't express so there's no way I could feed him EBM, so it's formula or boob.

Hun, I don't think it would be hunger if, as you said, he is normally quite settled for play time after a feed. Putting him on a bottle may not help at all- it could give him bellyaches, the formula might not agree with him and washing, sterilising and making up bottles is way harder than bf'ing and may make you even tireder.

Please give the ABA a call. The number is (07) 3844 8977 or (07) 3844 8166 for QLD (sorry, I htought it was a 1800, it's not). They can give you great advice and maybe some more insight on the feeding than what we can.

Hang on in there. I am thinking of you. It sounds like, from your last post, you are doing everything right- everything all the baby books say and then some. I am thinking of you. As Mayaness mentioned, it will soon seem like all this was very long time ago (my bubs is only just one and already it seems like ages ago for me).

'Cause I don't know what else I can do...

ETA- Trying to give you some love for that last post Maya but I have to spread it around first... great post

[Lulu]

OMG I firmly believe that having a baby that won't settle is the most demoralizing thing that can ever be.

I had an unsettled one and I nearly lost my brain AND I had a Dp here 24/7. We had to tag team to get any sleep. I lived in PJ's for 4 months. We were both wondering what on earth we were doing that was SO WRONG for this child to cry so much.
I tried every reflux remedy known to man, we rocked, we cuddled, we didn't.....

Do try to get out once a day, even if its to the letterbox or up the street with bubs in a pram. That can really work and the screaming doesn't seem so loud outside)

Please speak out in your baby buddies section. For all those posting from a perfect babymoon, there are probably about 25 going through exactly the same thing as you, and not wanting to post either. One of my Baby Buddies posted something similar to you, and I had the nerve to speak up too. OMG it was brilliant having someone to whinge to that really knew what you were going through.

I doubt it's you milk, keep him on it. DS started to settle about 4 months, but then self-weaned when he was 5 months (I got pregnant again). THEN there was a whole heap of hassles with formula, it took us a while to find him one that suited, and it just got worse from there. I think dairy was a huge problem and it has been the same for many other mothers with unsettled bubs. My boy still can't drink milk and was adverse to it when it came to solids too.
Some babies are just very very hard to settle, and sometimes its just their little personalities.

HTH

* I just had to go back and edit my smartarse comment about the length of Maya's post and mine ended up just as long...

[Smoke Jaguar]

Ah, no, Lulu, not quite as long...I win!
I think my shortest ever posts were the ones I posted in my Baby Buddies section in the first 10 or so weeks of DS's life, when he had Tongue Tie (then got it snipped and had to get used to his new tongue), I had nipple damage and nipple vasospasm. It probably seemed that I was having a fantastic babymoon because I didn't dwell on these things in my posts (but I did mention them), instead focussing on the lovely bits - which were genuine and actually pulled me through that time that would otherwise have become a blur and wiped from my mind! Anyway, my point is that it might help for you to confess to your Baby Buddies. A few in our group had similar 'settling' issues, stopped BFing, regretted it cos it didn't help, and ended up being diagnosed with forms of PND. These beautiful women were also the ones who didn't have any support around them and were isolated from family and friends. Your local ABA group is not just there to sort out booby issues, they are very much there to provide mother to mother support in your parenting journey. Without my group, I have no idea where I'd be. They are amongst my trusted friends now.
I also remembered another nugget. This one from my first MCHN - keep it simple. Go back to basics when things are going pearshaped - is baby fed, clean, rested, cool/warm enough? Then go from there. She was gold (she left the service, sadly!) and this saved me from overdiagnosing and overcomplicating our lives in those early days.
We're all thinking of you!

[Snacks]

Kuraisa, perhaps you have already tried this (and I admit I haven't read through everyone else's posts!) but is it worth trying to re-settle him just before the 40-45min mark? I know this works for some people and eventually the baby gets into a new groove and sleeps longer.
From my personal experience, I think you are amazing for doing this without much support. Natalie was unsettled for the first 6 months or so. There were some days I really didn't like her at all (even though I loved her because she was my baby, IYKWIM). But I was fortunate in that I had family nearby who I could visit, who loved her even though she cried all the time, and they gave me respite.
I found an afternoon walk provided a great time to recharge and she did sleep in the pram for 40 mins.
I found Tressillian were a brilliant help to me, and while I understand it isn't the same for everyone, I found they were very reassuring IRT 'normal' infant behaviour. I only used the over the phone service but I still found it helpful.
You might find there's an ABA group in your area? They may be a supportive group for you to be a part of if you think that'd help. (It could be worth a go in any case?)
I don't know what else to say. I recognise your desperation and I just wish I could help you. Can your DH take a sick day or a leave day before a weekend so that you can have a day and night off to rest (between feeds) then he can have the weekend to recuperate before work again on Monday? Things may seem a fraction easier to cope with if you've had a bit of a catchup on some sleep.
Take care of you, mate.

[mgm]

I know how utterly exhausting these non-sleeping babies can be! I can't offer any real advice (i never did find a way to stretch out the time between ds's frequent night wakings, and dd is hopeless too!) but i'd like to tell you this:

- frequent waking is common, normal and will have no negative effects on your baby (only on you!)

- things may get a bit better by themselves. dd only had half-hour naps til a couple of months ago; now she has one long one (1-2 hours) and a short one. i did absolutely nothing to change her sleep pattern - she just changed things by herself.

- breastfeeding is a wonderful thing to do for your baby. do you know for sure you don't have enough milk? i know that depleted feeling that comes from constant feeding, but chances are your milk is fine. giving formula may not be the best thing to do if you want to continue breastfeeding (this is not to criticise the use of formula - i'm just concerned that you might be better off getting some advice or reassurance from the aba or a lactation consultant - see one through a public hospital or ask your mchn if you can't afford private).

the other posters have given you some great ideas for combatting social isolation. get out there among the other mums and you will find people who are struggling with sleep deprivation, loneliness and the relentless demands of new motherhood. best of luck, and hugs to you.

[SunnyRain]

Thanks for all your replies.

Your suggestions are very good, unfortunately with my fatigue I find the prospect of leaving the house almost terrifyingly exhausting, however I realise that I need to seek social interaction in order to combat my social isolation. I have to start with baby steps, one thing at a time.

Yesterday I went to mother's group and I was almost panicking before I left the house, but once I was there everything was fine so I know I will be able to do it confidently again next week.

We're trying hard to work out Jude's sleeping arrangements so we've just bought a cot for his room which will be better ventilated and ultimately cooler at night for him to sleep more comfortably. I moved his bassinet to the living room where there's air conditioning and I took the advice Snacks gave me and tried to resettle before he fully woke up. He woke up anyway, but because he's right behind me I was on the case in 2 seconds and now he's asleep again. That's the first time I've ever successfully resettled him so I am very pleased.

My husband took a week of paid leave to be home with me and sort things out, too.

I have considered PND which is why I ended up seeing a clinical psychologist. I don't believe I have PND, just extreme fatigue which makes me situationally depressed, not chemically if you know what I mean.

I guess all I wanted was for someone to understand me and to know what it's like to be this completely fatigued so that even leaving the house seems like the most daunting task ever.

[little_Miss_Chez]

your orignal post is what everyday of the past 13 months has been for me .
in the end i couldnt get up anymore for me it was every hour , and began co sleeping , i've been a single parent since 4 months . if your like me , going to be use to be pre baby wind down time , so for me co sleeping has been just another problem .
We have failed sleep school twice , sleeping her on her back and controlled cry didn't work for us , neither did wrapping , holding , rocking or singing . taping , pram pushing , self settling , comfort toy or a pillow .

Try Soft Music Over night , weather it be lullabys or nursery rhymes its up to u , that worked for a couple of weeks i would get one stretch of 2.5 hrs from that .

i have a light sleeper , if found most of the over nighters in my baby group were getting a " dream feed " prior to the parent going to sleep i could never work that out i cant move dd when shes a sleep she wakes .

feel free to contact me if u want more info or to bounce idea;'s, but i hope you find somthing that works for you because i dont wish the last 12 months on anyone .

[Moi]

kuraiza - Something that's helped me to get out of the house is to get everything ready the night before, while DH is around to help look after DD.

I always make sure her stroller is ready to go, so that after a feed and change I can put her straight in her stroller and leave the house.

Also on some walks I take my ipod with me and listen to music - it makes me feel like I'm just walking around and not looking after a baby IYKWIM. I get to disconnect from things mentally a bit, I get some exercise (which helps my mood) and often she'll fall asleep for a little while if I walk far enough.

I hope things improve for you soon!