Trying to get baby to sleep.?

Question

I have a 2 1/2 month old daughter at home and I am so desperate. My daughter maybe sleeps like 9 hours out of a whole 24 hour day if I am lucky. I really need help. Like for example last night I gave her final bottle and she fell asleep after eating the whole 7 ounces and so I laid her in her crib, 5 minutes later she was screaming. I tried this 3 times in a row until I was so tired that I just let her sleep with me. Please any advice would be great! Thanks

Answer 1

Don't worry too much about letting her sleep with you. We co-slept with our baby for the first six months (in one of those cribs that attach to the side of the bed), and when we moved him into his own room we had problems getting him to sleep at night sometimes, and the only way would be to lay in our bed with him until he fell asleep if he didn't pass out drinking his bottle.

Now he's 9 months old and actually loves going to bed...after his routine (dinner, bath, pajamas, cuddling, bottle) we carry him into his room, say goodnight and leave, and he usually talks or plays for like 20 minutes and then passes out for 12 hours straight.
I would suggest reading "The No Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley, because it has great solutions to most sleep problems, including nap times. We ended up not doing the whole program because Thomas' sleep problems kind of worked themselves out once we put him in bigger diapers at night and put a nightlight in his room. But, it's worth a try for you!

Don't get too frustrated...in those early months it seems like it will be like this FOREVER, but as she gets older sleep will be so much better.

Answer 2

It could be colic. If it is, try switching her to a soy-based formula.

Also, how much does she weigh? She may not be ready to sleep through the time.

It also sounds like it could be overfeeding.

Some things to try:
1) Try giving her smaller meals, especially before bedtime.
2) Elevate her with a special foam pad you can get from http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=sc_pfc_r_6_0_13035421/601-4491455-5722514?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B00016S2X0

3) If she falls asleep after the bottle, try waking her up. It sounds strange, but putting her into her bed while she's still awake will actually help her sleep. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, she won't freak out because you're not there. Try this: put her in her crib awake. If she cries, let her cry for 5 minutes. Go in, rub her tummy and tell her what a great girl she is--stay only a few minutes. If she still is crying, go in after 10 minutes. Repeat until she sleeps.
4) Try a bath before bed. Babies THRIVE on routine.

I am sorry that it's so frustating though--our son had colic for 3 months before we figured out what was wrong. He slept in a swing for 2 months!

DO NOT PUT RICE CEREAL IN HER BOTTLE! Doctors preach about this all the time.

Answer 3

She should be eating every 3 or 4 hrs throughout the night. So you'll be up with her several times. Try keeping a bassinet or pack-n-play or moving her crib into your room, babies can tell if you are nearby and they can hear your breathing while you sleep. That may help. It's OK to let her sleep with you so you can get some sleep. If you don't make it a habit every time she naps, it won't become a problem. For your sake, let her sleep with you at least part of the night so you get the rest you need! I would nurse mine in bed with me, let them sleep a bit so they were deep in sleep then put them in their bassinet next to my bed. Make sure you swaddle her tightly so she feels secure, like she did in the womb.
When you are sleep deprived you will try anything, I know. Some babies are just colicky and will cry, they eventually grow out of it. Have you tried to dryer trick yet? Put her in her car seat and set it on top of the dryer and turn the dryer on. The noise and vibration can be soothing. Try running the vacuum cleaner in the room with her, I've known babies to fall asleep to that too.

Answer 4

I also agree that she is still to young to be sleeping through the night! She may need to wake up for a feeding or two and that is perfectly ok.

I would, however; cut back on the amount that you are giving her. 7 oz is a lot of formula, you could cut back a little and see if that might help. She might be uncomfortably full and causing her to have gas pains. This may be why she immediately wakes up after she is put down.

Swaddling is wonderful!!! Babies love to feel held. This always worked with our little one. After her last feeding, change her diaper, and then swaddle her as you rock her, sing to her or whatever it is you do to put her to sleep. Make sure she is asleep before you put her down and she may sleep better.

If your baby is another room you can also try putting her in your room for awhile in a pack n play or a moses basket. She might feel better knowing that you are within arms reach.

Do not feel bad for co-sleeping!!! There are many benefits for both you and baby and if it means you catch up on sleep then so be it! We co-sleeped off and on with our son and he is a happy crib sleeper at 10 months.

It takes time but she will get better at sleeping! This phase can be rough.

Try to sleep when your baby sleeps, that way you will be more rested. If you have anyone to help you ask for them to take her for awhile so you can catch up on some much needed sleep.

I hope this helps and good luck!!!!

Answer 5

Oh boy! Best of luck, a crying young one is never pleasent to deal with. Try calling for back-up (close friends, etc) to take care of him for a while because you need a break. Keep trying though, you can pull through. You can also try the following:

- The 'shh' technique. Pick up your child gently, and softly shhh in her ear. This actually calms babies down quite often because it is the most often heard sound in the womb. Try it.

- Hold and calm your baby by very gently cooing to her and/or rubbing his back.

-These tantrums may be a sign of teething, or another health problem (e.g ear infection, cold). I doubt it's anything to do with a heath problem, so it's most likely teething if it's anything and possibly colic. If you find that it IS teething you could simply purchase some Orajel for babies. They have special products nowadays (thank gosh) for these kinds of things.

-Never. I repeat NEVER shake your baby no matter how it takes. This can cause serious brain damage, and even death. If you feel that you may hurt your child, call for backup immediately. It's worth your baby's life and well-being.

-At this age, giving in is simply not spoiling the young one because he is only very young. Sooth her, play with her, laugh with her and even read to her. Whatever makes her happy because her happiness is worth more than gold to any parent.

-Don't feel guilty. It's not your fault your baby is crying. All babies cry, and it is VERY normal. You'd actually be somewhat worried if he wasn't crying. I know the noise is tough to handle, but you'll get through it. Pretty soon, you'll be the experienced one and giving others advice.

-Don't feel bad, you weren't giving in by letting her sleep with you. She needs your compassion and love the most right now. That's not spoiling or anything negative at all. It's just love.

-Also, make sure all the baby's basic needs are met. (Fed, Bottled, Bathed, Properly Dressed) Sometimes the baby could be crying because she's too hot or too cold or if she's hungry.

Keep it up. You're doing a great job! Best of luck! :)

Answer 6

Maybe your formula is giving your baby gas. It could be the iron in the formula upsetting her stomach or maybe its just painful gas. I know that nursing my baby helps alot to get her back to sleep, even if I dont have any milk at that time I can latch her on my boob for some comfort nursing and it puts her to sleep. If thats an option for you try that. My baby eats about every three hours through the night and she is 8 wks. Hang in there, it only gets easier as time goes on.
Wait till she has slept next to you for a bit before trying to put her in her crib because if she is not in a good sleep she will wake up as soon as you put her down. A bassinet next to your bed might be helpful. During the day my baby likes to sleep in the aquarium cradle swing and it gives me time to take a nap or get stuff done.

Answer 7

First, if you can hire a sitter or get a family member to stay with her for a while so YOU can get some sleep. You'll be amazed just how much easier your problem will seem.

Second get the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth. It will help a ton.

And finally relax about it. Whatever solution you find isn't going to hurt your baby. Parenting is all about finding what works for YOUR family and it might not be what all the experts tell you it is.

Answer 8

Babies this young MUST wake up to eat since they cannot consume all the calories they need during the day.
Imagine having to set your alarm clock to have a piece of pie at 2 am !

There is NOTHING a 10 week old wants from you that is unreasonable.During the night hours, try and keep everything low key- no talking- and quiet. Keep the lights off if possible. Feed her, change her, rub her back a bit and quietly put her back to bed.
Good luck.

Answer 9

I have a two week old daughter and I have trouble putting her to sleep and its the exact same problem I too give up sometimes but whats really helping me out is giving her a warm bath before bed time then i rap her tightly in a blanket (swaddeling) making sure she can still breath rocking her to sleep also works. You could also try a calming lotion they sometimes works. Well good luck I hope my advice helps.

Answer 10

2 1/2 months is still very very young.. my son slept with me in the bed up till he was about 4 months, mostly b/c i was breastfeeding and it was easier. at 2 1/2 months, she still needs to be nurtured, meaning its ok to hold her in your arms till she falls asleep.. or allowing her to sleep in ur bed.

at 6 months my son slept in his own crib in his own room.. he won't actually can't sleep in my bed now, he gets too excited.. hes 1 1/2 years old. so don't worry about getting her into a bad habit, as long as when you do decide to put her in her own crib you stay consistant it will be fine.

also try creating a routine for her, a bath, a diaper change, a feeding, and put her too bed. remember at this age they eat about every 2-4 hours (depending on child) so that shouldn't be her last feeding.

one last thing, naps during the day are very important for babies, don't eliminate those thinking she will sleep longer at night, its the opposite, 'sleep begets sleep' so let her take atleast three naps during the day.