I'm on fire cry as soon as we put her in cot

[arabesque]

Hi everyone,

Dd is 5 months old. We have been going ok the past few weeks with routine, and now (again) things aren't working. We used to be able to pop her in the cot, pat her while she lay on her tummy and she's go to sleep. Now as soon as we approach the cot, hysterical I'm on fire crying starts. Not even mantra crying. We've never left her to CIO and I'm not sure what's going on.

Any suggestions are most welcome. I put her into bed when she's showing tired signs, which is 2-2.5 hrs after previous nap. I don't think she's OT or UT. But I guess she could be.

[newkidontheblock]

Hi there:) What's your routine looking like at the moment? I seem to remember that your LO did something similar previously and it might have been colic or reflux?

[arabesque]

Thanks this is our typical day...

W and bf 7am
Solids 8am
S 9:15-10
Bf 10:30
Solids 11:30
S 12:15/30-2
Bf 2:15
School run
Aim for catnap at 4:15, end up bf to sleep each arvo for ~30 mins
Solids 5ish
Bath
Bf 6:30
Bed 7-7:30, whenever I can settle her
DF 10:30
NF anywhere between 2:30 and 5:30am

Do you think it's because she's fed to sleep for catnap? She's very licky/sucky when she's tired and I think maybe she's trying to get me to bf her to sleep? I also think she's nearly ready for 2 naps but I can't work out how with school pickup and keeping bed at 7/7:30 which I need for a few reasons

Stil on losec for reflux, still poos infrequently (like 4-5days) and that seems to be bothering her, so yesterday I gave prune juice but still nothing (doing 2:45am feed now).

Thanks for your input

[newkidontheblock]

Your routine looks great. I agree that the CN will have to stick around - at least until her A times stretch to a point where nap 2 ends at a time closer to BT.

Do you think it's because she's fed to sleep for catnap?

Nope. I don't think that is it. I used to APOP the CN in the sling too. Is it necessary to nurse to sleep though? Have you tried the sling? I simply ask because she might not take much at BT feed soon after.

Honestly, the first thought that came into my mind was OT, mainly because that is how DD behaves if she is OT. But now I have one more idea -- how does the BT feed go? Does she nurse properly or seem very sleepy and not sucking much? And when she cries, can you settle her without nursing or do you inevitable nurse? If you nurse, does she stay awake or fall asleep while feeding?

Stil on losec for reflux, still poos infrequently (like 4-5days) and that seems to be bothering her, so yesterday I gave prune juice but still nothing (doing 2:45am feed now).

I was wondering why she is on solids at 5 months, especially since she has a reflux problem too? Have you noticed this sleep behaviour happening since you started with solids? Also, 3 solid meals at 5 months seems like a bit much. Have you tried cutting out the evening solids - could they be bothering her? Especially since she is pooing so infrequently, it is possible that she is in some discomfort. I think this is the likeliest cause of the problem. What do you think?

[arabesque]

I'm not sure how to quote you but I'll try to address your questions.

Firstly...thanks for your reply And for saying my routine looks great. It's pretty solid, that long nap is wonderful and happens most days. Catnap is a struggle every day, I'll give the sling a go. She also can't go from 2:15-6:30 without a feed, so that's part of why I give it...I'm struggling to push her feeds to 4hrly, even 3.5hrly is hard.

Come bedtime, she's falling asleep on the breast by about 6:40/6:45. If she's not fully asleep when I put her in, I need to pat her off. She can't go to sleep independently at any time. I hate that I've one that, because I KNOW BETTER!!! Frustrated at myself letting this happen with child #3. I can settle her by patting, even in the night (she woke 1:30am the other night, I didn't plan to do a two feed night, so I patted her back off and she woke at 5:40 for her feed)

Solids...the bane of my existence. A few reasons...she's huge, and grabby for food. Wants what we eat, scoffs her solids down. I'll admit I started earlier than I was comfortable with because she seemed SO hungry. I'll cut out evening solids, very happy not to have that extra thing in my day. She's done a poo today, which is fab, and I'm not giving her rice cereal mixed with anything anymore. That seems to bind up my babies more than help them. So the last few days she hasn't been keen on solids, but today she was pretty keen for a teaspoon of pear, (post poo) so I think that constipation has been a trouble for her. She was also easier to settle for her nap - less sucking on my arm/face/neck and happy to go in without Im on Fire crying.

Thanks SO much. It's so great being able to "chat" about it! xx


 

[deb]

If she's gained a significant amount of weight since she first started the Losec, she may need to have the dosage adjusted.

[newkidontheblock]

She also can't go from 2:15-6:30 without a feed, so that's part of why I give it...I'm struggling to push her feeds to 4hrly, even 3.5hrly is hard.

Many EBF babies cannot go 4 hours between feeds. At 5 months, I fed twice in an A time - on WU from the nap and 30 minutes before the next nap. I felt that she could not do a long nap otherwise. Once she started on solids, this was unnecessary. So basically, what I am trying to say is that it is fine to nurse her before her nap, just try to avoid nursing to sleep.

She can't go to sleep independently at any time.

It's a learning process, and independent sleep is what you are working towards, right? Just be consistent in your methods and she will get it sooner or later. Hang in there!

I'm not giving her rice cereal mixed with anything anymore. That seems to bind up my babies more than help them.

Rice cereal has no nutritional value and you will be better off not offering it at all. Yes, it can constipate them too.  Have you considered doing Baby Led Weaning?

Thanks SO much. It's so great being able to "chat" about it! xx

You are most welcome. I hope that you see some improvement. Have you checked out our Birth Clubs? Great way to share experiences. This is the one that you would be on
Re: 3-6 months, Part 42