using a sling during fussy periods

Hi im just wondering if using a sling during fussy periods that dd is usually crying fussing etc is just delaying the inevitable...

dd usually loses the plot around 8 or 9pm and eventually settles about 12 or 1am. In between this there is breastfeeding, crying, screaming occasional sleeping but wakes very quickly and by the end of it i am so stressed and have had a few quiet tears. Otherwise she is quite happy and we are doing really well with our bf and sleeping etc.

Today i am using a sling to get us through it and it is helping as she is kind of dozing but cranky if i stop jiggling hence my crappy typing lol...

What I want to know is...

Am i just delaying the inevitable and will cop her outbursts later when I think the danger period has passed eg 1am...(eek...)

Does she need that crying period to get tired enough to get through the night as currently she sleeps after the unsettled period for sometimes 6 or so hours....

Any thoughts would be welcome and Ill let you know the answer tomorrow of course lol

Thanks Natty :)

It wouldn't hurt to try it out. Try anything to see what works.
With my DD I used a hugabub for unsettled periods and it helped her be more settled at other times.
Could that crying period be because she is overtired? The sling would be helpful then. Sleep promotes sleep so having her have naps in it could be helpful in the long run.
Give it a try for few days and see if any improvements.

That's an interesting question hun. In my experience it doesn't delay it - it just gives you more quiet time. With DS2 I found I had to keep walking when he was in the sling, as soon as I stopped he cried again, so it was still tiring but at least it was quiet. When he finally settled though, he did stay asleep for a while. Another thing that helped me was bouncing on a fit ball with him in the sling or in my arms. Again, it's still moving but it's easier to type on BB than when walking!!

Some mums also find a baby swing can help. We had mixed results with this - it didn't work all the time, but when it did it could buy me an hour or so to get other things done.

I hope your DD settles soon for you.

Hi

Shellbell I thought she was tired too but nothing can convince her to sleep or settle at this time (except this sling of course lol) so I just thought it was part of her routine as it happens every day like clockwork. By the end of it my bbs are so sore from trying to get her to comfort suck or feed etc and dh and I are so worried we are doing something wrong, then bam, she is asleep for the night...crazy lol....

Manta Ray yeah a fit ball sounds like a good idea too and youre right the typing would be easier lol...Id get a swing if I knew it would work but she kind of hates her bouncer atm so not sure how she would go...Is a month too early to expect them to enjoy a bouncer?

Thanks for the advice though ladies its much appreciated, loving the quick answers xxx
Ill keep it up tonight and see how it goes.

ok so it calmed her but she woke 3 times in the period she would have slept last night. Ill keep trying though..:wall:

:hug: oh hun I hear you, our DD is roughly the same age and does the same thing so I was very interested in seeing how you went. Maybe its just an age thing? I have read somewhere about "Wonder Weeks", (where you wonder what the hell you going to do :lol: ) there is some really useful information on babies development in the first 12 months etc. The small snippet of the book that I have read sounded like DD to the letter and I have found knowing what to expect makes the horrid unsettled time a bit better to deal with.

Also - I am trying out a new thing as recommended to me by the ABA. I feed on a reclined angle to slow the flow of milk (I have a fast flow which leads to many bubbles int he tummy) and take her off every 5min or so and burp her to get rid of as many bubbles as possible. I do keep track of how long she actually feeds for and it is annoying to constantly be removing her but we had a bit of a better night last night - just an idea is all ;)

GL - I will be keeping an eye on this thread.

NAe x

Hi NaeNae,

The sling seems to be working but tbh the fussy periods are still really crappy...It works for a while but it seems like she is determined to cry her heart out every night..:wall: She als only seems to settle with me but that may have something to do with me being with her constantly while dh does other stuff...

Im focussing more on getting her to burp after bf to sleep as that might have been a problem too...Yep Im really hearing you on the wonder weeks thing lol..

Good luck with your little one too I think from reading a few threads we may be covering some of the same ground..:hug:

Hun, it is very normal for babies that age to only want mum. They are in fact programmed to be with mum all the time, and seek out their own mum's smell. This is a survival instinct primarily as in nature mum provides all their nutrition and protection.

It is really hard work in the first weeks, but it does get easier. You are doing a great job hun :hug:

honestly i don't think i could have got through the first 16weeks of ds2's life witout our hab. it was hell- on-earth. the hab was the ONLY. THING. THAT. WORKED. no joke. he loved it and i honestly don't know how parents get through the unsettled period without one. now i have passed it on to a friend who is due anyday. i think, do what works and get yourself through however you can. me personally, i would not have a newborn without a sling.

OMG, Im not sure I would have survived without my sling!! One of my close friends bought it for us for our babyshower and I feel forever in debt to her as it's been priceless! LOL!!!

You do what you have to do to get through the tough times and a sling really helps. Our DD had many day sleeps in it before she was diagnosed with silent reflux. She's a bit clingy again this week so she's been hanging in the sling a lot again.

Remember that babies in poor countries spend the first couple of years of their lives in slings attached to mum and they have been proven to be the most contented babies who rarely cry. Close to mummy is where they belong :)

You're doing great! Run with it and enjoy the sling snuggles, it does get easier and they do become more independent and you will soon look forward to sling time again. That happened to us anyway ;)