Routine gone haywire

[* Paula *]

Right I am about ready to give up 

DD was doing fantastically on EASY doing 1.25 A time, and then straight to sleep within about 2 minutes and sleeping until next feed, perhaps waking about 10 mins before hand.  She would wake at the 45 min mark and I would pop her dummy back in and she would go straight back to sleep.

Well Monday is when it all went to pot.  I had a docs appt and missed her feed by about 10 mins.  MIL and FIL were at our house looking after DS while I was at the docs.  MIL had hold of DD and I said right time for bed, went upstairs, put her down, and she would not settle to sleep.  I eventually brought her downstairs and popped her in her bouncy chair and asked FIL to rock her in it as she needed to sleep.

I needed to go upstairs and settle DS down for his nap (off nursery sick at the moment).  He was a bit clingy and it took longer to settle than normal. 

By the time I came downstairs MIL and FIL were playing with DD instead of rocking her like I asked. They said oh she is not tired, there is no sleep in her.  I was so angry.  I took her off them and got her to sleep, but by this time she was so overtired and only slept for about 15 minutes and then it was time for her next feed.  She woke, I fed her, and got her to sleep again, and she napped better.

Anyway, since then our routine has gone completely downhill.  I have tired shorter A time starting in the morning, and she is still not sleeping well at all.  She will settle herself down for a nap quite easily, but will wake anywhere from 20mins, 30mins, 45mins to an hour and there is no way I can re-settle her, she just gets so wound up.

I am not sure what to do.  Do I start tomorrow with only an hours A time or what?

Any help would be great.  Thanks for reading 

Paula

[* Paula *]

I am really getting desperate.  She has not slept at all today except 5 mins here 10 mins there.  I really do not know what to do.

She is so tired, that she is just screaming when it comes to try and feed her.  I have put her down for the nght over an hour ago, and she will fall asleep for 5 minutes then wake up, fuss etc.  The poor baby is so overtired, and I really do not know what to do 

I feel so useless.

[rebecaq]

Hugs Paula!!!

I have had days like that aand know how frustrating it can be.  Some tricks I use tocalm both Julian and me down at the time are to go for a walk, no matter the time of day and to shower with him. The latter helps the most. The sound and feel of the warm water plus the skin on skin contact works miracles. You also need to ask Chris to help you out so you can sit somewhere and cry it out ALONE! Allowing yourself a good long hard cry really helps hun, you come back with a new sense of calm.

[gpmom]

Paula I would think that if your schedule was right before it iprobally still very close to right. I would try not to adjust things too much as you may end up confusing her.  Do you think she might have another problem, (sorry I do not know how old she is) like teeth, growing, or extra feeds?  I would "try" not to push her too far, as maybe she senses your confusion and is reacting to it iykwim.
Sorry I am not more of a help.....good luck and find someone to give you a hand.

[* Paula *]

Thanks for your reply Beca 

Joan she is 6 weeks old.  I don't think it is extra feeds as she is actually refusing to finish her feeds at the 3 hour mark.

[MJMom]

Paula, sometimes an 1hr 25 minute A time is too much for an LO that age.  Especially now that she is OT.  Focus on getting her better rested and that might mean A times as short as 45 minutes even.  I found it sometimes took 24-48 hrs to get an LO back on a rested track after getting OT.

Also, developmentally, she now has more neurological activity so it will be harder to sleep.  She is not the sleepy infant you brought home from the hospital.  Some of this development could have coincided with your OT events as well. 

[* Paula *]

Thanks Alissa,

Well we have found out why our routine and feeds had gone out the window yesterday.  She barely ate about 12 oz yesterday.

Took her to the docs this morning, and she has a throat infection, as well as a bad chesty cough. 

Fingers crossed, once she is feeling better we can get back on track.

[MJMom]

***VIBES FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY!!!*****

[* Paula *]

Thanks hun