SCREAMING and I can't take it!

[NatalyaW]

Is it normal that after 6 days of EASY my baby still screams before every nap and bedtime? It's as if she doesn't know how to sleep without screaming, and I don't know how much more of it I can take. Yesterday afternoon she actually went down with just some fussing, but she woke up again ten minutes later and then did do the screaming thing. We're talking bright red face, flailing head (since she's swaddled, that's all that she can really flail), real tears, etc.

I've tried putting her down earlier and keeping her awake longer; nothing helps! Is all this crying really normal? Is it necessary? I'm just about to abandon EASY if this keeps up. I can't stand for my baby to spend so much time out of her day crying!

[kate585]

Well, I would say KEEP WITH IT!  It will work if you keep it up.  The routine will take the guesswork out of why your baby is crying.  It seems that the problem isn't with EASY...more with the S.  One question is:  Have you ever let your lo cry it out?  I've just finished reading "BW Solves All Your Problems" and Tracy mentions several times about reestablishing trust after letting your baby cry it out.  She might be afraid of the crib because she thinks she has to stay in there all alone and it's scary.  I'd recommend reading that book...or at least that section...and following her suggestions.  Good luck!

[albertasweetpea]

Hi there. I am with Kate on this one...try to stick with it!!
I started Molly on EASY at 7 weeks and let me tell you there were times I was sure I would go crazy from the crying/screaming/sitting in her room for hours on end trying to help her to sleep.
But it does work!! It just takes time, persistence and consistency!
I think it took Molly a good 3 weeks...I know that's not what you want to hear but if you keep the end goal in mind...you can do it!!
I am so glad I stuck with it. Now it only takes 2-3 minutes for Molly to fall asleep (sometimes she still screams/cries) and then she is fine.
I am sure if you read back to some of my posts you will read all the same things you are feeling.
Do you have someone to help you? Give you a break?? I was at home during the day with Molly but my DF was home in the evenings so I could at least get a break from her evening nap time or bedtime.
Please feel free to post anytime, the ladies on here (and the few men) are awesome and so supportive!! PM me too if you need support or just want to vent!!
Hang in there, it gets better, I promise!!

[NatalyaW]

Kate -- I've never let her cry it out. I was a Dr. Sears girl before BW, and he is definitely anti-cry-it-out. Besides, her crying doesn't seem related to the crib, but to the process of going to sleep itself. If she hasn't already started crying, she starts immediately the second I start to swaddle her.

Yesterday was much better, but today was awful with lots of screaming. It's so hard to keep at it by yourself.

[Jadynsmom]

Hi there,

I answered you on another post, but I saw this post and, wow, it reminded me of my lo at 8wks exactly.  First thing I remember was I put her on her tummy one night and she did not scream and went right to sleep.  She did have a very good head control & could move it back & forth without any problems.  The next thing was, I'm not familar with reflux, but I see on a lot of posts about babies hurting when they lie down straight if they have it.  I was sooo convinced that my lo had reflux even though I didn't see any signs of it.  They say you can have it without a lot of spit ups.  Anyway, once I put her on her tummy, she was good to go.  I would just check out the reflux board just to rule it out. 

I feel for you, esp if you say you are doing it by yourself.   Hope it gets better.  I thought during the times she was screaming I couldn't take it another day, and it did get soo much better.  Hang in there.

Kathy

[NatalyaW]

Kathy,
Isn't it dangerous to put the baby on her tummy, especially before 6 mo? Anyway, Hope usually hates to be put on her tummy when she's awake. I'm not sure she'd allow it for going to sleep. I understand that babies sleep more soundly on their tummies, which is why it used to be the conventional wisdom to do so, but that's what puts them at greater risk for SIDS (they might sleep so soundly they wouldn't wake up.

The thing is that I have such a complex problem, in my eyes. First there's the crying/screaming as I try to start wind-down, then there's the short naps (usually only 30 minutes) issue, then there's the fact that she can never stay awake as long as Tracy says, and then there's her desire (accompanied by teh appropriate cries and body language) to eat at the very least every 2 1/2 hours instead of every 3, and often it's every 2 hours. I can't keep EASY to save my life, and I'm really not getting any Y time.

SIGH...  :cry:

Audra

[Matthew's Mommy]

Hi there,

I was following your thread.

Can I offer you some help?

I went through the screaming with Brendan.. and yes it is so hard on the nerves. Some babies do cry more than others.  Brendan wouldn't take a soother.. so many times I wished he did.

First thing.. take a look at this resource area that I am working on. I'm pulling as many situations that I can from threads regarding newborns/young infants and sleep.  The Announcement is called "Information on Teaching Sleep to Newborns and Young Infants."

Tell me what you think, if there's anything in there that can help you.

Also, would a soother be helpful?  If you use it appropriately, it doesn't become a prop and you can fade it out after 4 months of age, when the skill of self soothing begins to happen.

Lastly.. have you ruled out reflux?