I have a 4 month old baby who wont sleep at night! I think she might be teething but I have tried everything. We only got one hour sleep last night!! Anyone have any suggestions that might help us get more sleep. We have tried tylonel, feeding her pablum, teething gel, warm baths before she goes to bed, i dont know what to do anymore. Im very sleep deprived and Im dealing with Post Partum Depression at the same time!!!! I need help
2006-08-18 04:30:00 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
If she seems a bit on the hungry side, talk to her doctor about adding a little cereal into her milk (if you are bottle feeding).
Another thing that I tried and it had an amazing affect on my son, who had sleep issues, was a baby massage.
Right after bath, I took my son into my bedroom, where it was nice and quiet, took baby lotion (lavendar scented for relaxation lol) and gave him a baby massage. I had read about it in a magazine and thought I would give it a shot. You start on the tummy slowly rubbing in a circular motion, and believe it or not the direction actually depends on your child. Counterclockwise seemed to relax more. Take your time, talking quietly to your baby, and simply continue to give her a massage all over, right down the toes!
It has the effect of relaxing both of you.
After that try a feeding with warm milk, possibly with some rice cereal, after mentioning this to her doctor. Make sure its quiet time. Keep this practice up for a few nights and see if it works. You and your husband need to start pulling shifts. Make him take her for a few hours at night to allow you to sleep. Keep switching off, making sure you both get sleep.
If you are breastfeeding and feel that you need to keep up with her all night to keep this going, you may want to consider using both a bottle and breastfeeding.
I personaly hated the thought of not being able to breastfeed, but soon discovered that it made it easier on my husband as well as myself, to share the responsibility. I ended up using a breast pump so the baby could still get the milk.
It is very difficult to pass of responsibility, I know since I refused to allow my husband to do much of anything because I wanted to be as close as possible to my baby. I realized later though, that this was a bit selfish in that my husband needed to bond with our child as much as I did.
Lack of sleep makes things so much more difficult and if you are dealing with post partum, god love ya.
Getting badly needed sleep can help with a lot of things, but sleep depravation will make everything worse.
And don't be afraid to use a swing either! Even if she does end up sleeping in it for a few hours, if it quiets her down, use it. It won't last forever, and it will provide some relief for you should it work.
If she is teething, don't insist on tylenol unless she is running a fever. Believe it or not, orajel can really help, though they say only use the baby orajel. It didn't work for my son, so I used a tiny bit of adult orajel on a q-tip or my finger tip to make sure there wasn't excess running through his mouth, and it worked for a few minutes.
Just as importantly, start using a definate schedule. Babies will adapt to your schedule. After a couple months she may want to change the schedule you put her on..adapt as necessary, but still stick to a definate schedule. When things go up in the air and there is no pattern this can actually disturb a child more. They are actually more comfortable with a schedule.
Hopefully something in this helps you out a bit.
Best of wishes and get yourself some help if you find you can't deal with the depression. Don't ignore it and try to push it aside with excuses!
2006-08-18 05:02:24 · answer #1 · answered by saintlyinnocents 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow I'm having the same problem, but not quite as bad. My daughter used to wake up twice a night to nurse, then fall back asleep. Now for the last couple of weeks she's been up every couple of hours and we have to spend a good half hour each time getting her back asleep! I'm so sorry that it's so bad for you. My first thought is that are you at home with her during the day? If so, I'd highly recommend cuddling up with her while she naps and taking a nap yourself. It makes the nights a little easier to swallow. Also, does your baby sleep with you at night? If not, maybe she's reached a point where it bothers her to be away from you; try letting her sleep with you for a season. Other than that, my thoughts are the same a some others voiced here - ask her doctor if he has any ideas. Good luck and take a well-deserved nap!
2006-08-18 04:53:53 · answer #2 · answered by Jujubee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, if you have family support, ask someone or all in the family to sub for you with the baby one night per week so you can get some sleep.
Next, ask the doctor if it might be something else that is bothering her.
Finally, be sure not to forget you. You need some counseling for the depression so it doesn't get worse. Ask your doctor for a good counselor when you call about the baby.
I wish you good luck. Motherhood is the hardest job, but oh what a blessing!
2006-08-18 05:50:21 · answer #3 · answered by a_phantoms_rose 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fresh air and Enya. Yogurt is handy, too, just a teaspoon or so in her pablum. Might be gass. If she's getting enough to eat and isn't in visible pain or running a fever, put her to bed, turn up the stereo (Enya puts loads of people to sleep) and have a nap for a couple of hours. It's tough, but it works.
2006-08-18 05:04:04 · answer #4 · answered by auld mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that the baby isnt uncomfortable in any way...my son has been teething for months now...crying during the night but I found out that it wasnt the teeth causing him to cry..he was hot, check to see if the baby is sweaty if not keep looking for other signs..i dont think its teething since you have done everything in your power to control the pain..it may be colic..ask your pediatrician what they think..good luck
2006-08-18 04:38:07 · answer #5 · answered by SIBella :) 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you poor thing. How is she during the day? Does she seem crabby then? If not, try letting her cry for about 15 - 20 minutes, no longer. Sometimes they'll learn to put themselves back to sleep. Call your doctor and ask his or her advise and tell them about the depression, there are medicines they can give you to help. Good Luck
2006-08-18 04:40:14 · answer #6 · answered by irish_yankee51 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one of the best things I have bought for my children for teething has been teething tablets plus Advil or some other kind of pain killer.
Please make sure you sleep during the day when your little sleeps and if that doesn't work ask for some help so you can get some sleep because sleep is very important.
Stay healthy
2006-08-18 04:40:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the baby has colic? I would see a doctor and tell them what you are experiencing. Maybe they can give you real suggestions that will help.
Sorry about the sleep. I know its tough. Have a newborn myself.
2006-08-18 11:44:47 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take turns staying up with her. keep the house normal during the day the baby gets used to all the noises. then at night keep it dark. get some help from your dr. for the depression.try to keep her comfortable not too warm or cold
2006-08-18 04:37:56 · answer #9 · answered by mommy_dearest 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop assuming it's teething. Does your baby pull his legs up in distress? Does he make grunting sounds after he eats? There's more.. but instead of colic it could be reflux. Talk to your Dr. and don't let him put you off!! Been there!
2006-08-18 04:37:55 · answer #10 · answered by Sandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋