SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME! I AM IN SUCH A MESS

[AnnaBenwell]

Harry is my 3rd Baby, But my hardest by far. Bed time is No trouble, But the rest of the day He cries. I feel such a failure. I'm new to this so it may take me a while to explain. SORRY. Routine is like this. He's 4months
6.30am woke up Put in our bed and went back to sleep.
7am woke him up gave him a bottle 8oz taken
8am breakfast, not taken today.
9am slept for half an hour
9.30am cried all the way home from town
10am bottle 8oz taken
11am rocked to sleep/ slept for half an hour
11.30 upset so cuddles with mum till 1pm
1pm bottle 6oz taken
2pm rocked to sleep/45minutes
2.45/ school run He cries in his pushchair
4pm bottle 4 oz taken/dinner offered but didn't take it.
5.30 rocked to sleep/ half an hour.
6pm story
6.30bath
7pm Bottle 8oz taken
7.30 In crib AWAKE Went to sleep with no problems
Not done a dream feed/ He has slept through until about 3 weeks ago.
10pm Cries, went up cuddled him and he went back to sleep.
4am Bottle 8oz. What a nightmare day, I wanted to put some of what i have read into practice But not got a clue where to start. I just feel so stressed and not strong enough to carry anything through.
Anna

[Ennypen]

Hi Anna

Welcome to BW xxx

I am sure that we can all join together to help you through the difficulties you are facing.
I am going to move your post over to the EASY board where people will be able to take a look at your routine and see what they suggest.

Take care - loads of us have been where you are so don't feel alone xxx

Helen xxx

[AnnaBenwell]

Thank You Thats really find of You.

[yaya]

Anna , hi there and welcome! Sorry ur having such a hard time, hope we can help u sort it out! How old is HarrY?

[AnnaBenwell]

4 months

[yaya]

hmmm it def sounds as tho he's overtired, taking very short naps during the day. Have u ruled out anything medical, gas, colic, reflux that sort of thing? Don't want to put ideas into your head but its good to check out all possibilities.
I would suggest getting DS to extend naps (I know, easier said than done!!) there are loads of great tips and advice for doing this, here are a few links...

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64168.0
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64759.0

So at the moment u are rocking him to sleep? I think this may be creating what we call a 'prop' which means he needs you to do this again when he wakes at the 45min mark from a nap and isnt able to put himself back to sleep. It is realyl important that you teach him to fall asleep independently in his bed. Again, the ladies (and gents!) on these boads will be able to help you do this.

Another suggestion would be to take a few naps out in the stroller if possible to give you both a much needed break and getting DS to catch up on a few ZZZZs.

HTH
 

[AnnaBenwell]

That is great thanks. Intake him out in the pushchair first thing in the morning, because i take his brothers to school, he wakes up and cries and NEVER GETS HIMSELF BACK TO SLEEP IN THERE. Not like i can do PU/PD while pushing him home from school. We go out again at 3pm to pick the boys up He again stays awake and cries. Was thinking of moving his feeds 2 4 hours, but 3 hours is working so well with the other children's routines. I can't do a 3 0 clock feed. and if i move him  to four hours that means i will be dropping from 5 feeds to 4. Its so hard with 3 children fitting it all in. I like to no where i am, feeds are OK. ACCEPT THE NIGHT ONE. But sleep he needs sleep and i need some time to do the chores or have lunch. Do you think i should have set sleep times?

[yaya]

I would definately have set napping times
here is a sample routine for baby your LOs age
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=10385.0

Obviously the stroller suggestion was IF it helps himt o sleep longer! Do u know why he wakes up suddenly in the stroller? Doe she have a pacifier (dummy)?

I would definately try to extend his naps so he gets better rest during the day

[AnnaBenwell]

He had colic, but that has passed. I know he is just tired, But how do i get him 2 sleep more. He just seems to cry all day long, So i just can't do anything. Its got to the point, where i just sit in and cuddle him all day. I have never been like this with the others. Always had a god routine. THIS IS KILLING ME.

[AnnaBenwell]

No he does not like a dummy. I really don't know why he wakes up in his stroller. Can't thank you enough for all your advice.

[yaya]

Aww s'ok hun!
Hmmm re : the dummy, DS hated it too untill 4 mos when I reintroduced it as he was very refluxy and overtired and generally a bit wired and yes I had to hold it for him for a while but then he took to it and it really helped. I'm obvs not sayign u should push the dummy but it may be worth giving it another shot.

Have u tried him in a baby carrier instead of the stroller?

[AnnaBenwell]

He 4 months and weighs a huge 20lb, I'm only little and carrying him in a baby carrier Kills me. This might all sound like i am making excuses Thank you so much for your help It has been good to know I'm not the only one who is stuck on where to go next.

[AnnaBenwell]

Just re read this to remind me on how my days were! Still have the nap problems, but not quite as bad Thanks Yaya

[rebecaq]

Hi there,

I'm glad to hear that things have improved, even if it's a little bit. Improvement is imporvement 

I was wondering if you could do a slow yet steady shift of routine. Keep him on 3 hour EASY (although at 4 month he should begin to transition to 4 hour EASY soon), but slowly change the times so that he's in the stroller as his A time.  IT could be your baby is spirited or touchy and the movement from the stroller is enough to disrupt his sleep and throwing him off for the rest of the day.

HTH

- Beca