When I reread that chapter in the book , I got confused too. Tracy says to put baby down drowsy - in stage 2. But it took me forever to get to stage 2. Here's what I posted, and what Debbie replied. Helped me tons.
Quote (rafaella):
i see Tracy says to put him down in Stage 2 - drowsy. The problem is, I can't get him drowsy, unless he's way past his nap time. I can't calm him down on me without nursing or walking around forever. and when i take him into a dark room, he fusses so much more! Tracy says that's the only thing that's supposed to calm him down!
For some reason, it makes me really frustrated that he's not acting like it says he should
Debbie:
OK the biggie! don't worry about the "drowsy" state. I think the distinction for stating about putting them down at DROWSY was to make it clear to get them to bed before they are asleep! if your lo is ok with being put into the bed straight after a quick windown and then either putting himself to sleep or you doing shh/pat then that is all you need to do. you are otherwise creating more work for yourself trying to "get him" to the drowsy state. Neither of my girls ever got "drowsy" with us. alex yawned once (textbook) and we knew to get her ready and we swaddled and put her in bed and said night,night and left her to it! olivia does not yawn/limited tired signs, but we watch the clock and at her "nap times" we just took her to her room and changed nappy, swaddled, topped up with food (sometimes), and sang rocka bye baby, in the cot and left. if she struggles to go down THEN we go in and use shh/pat but we always gave both girls a chance to do it themselves from AWAKE to ASLEEP - i never had the experience of sitting in the rocking chair leading to getting droopy eyes etc NOT ONCE. not in their nature to enjoy that quiet time to get sleepy, they just want to be left to get sleepy in their bed. HTH
Shell, Do you think this may be the case with your little one? My ds also won't settle on me. I put him down restless and awake. We're still in the process of this, so he will often cry, and I shh-pat, or sometimes he'll suck his fingers and fall asleep. (took two weeks to get there.)
Stick to the swaddling, she should get used to it, and needs it. There are various types of swaddling in the Props section.
Some babies don't like shh-pat. Many parents just lay a firm hand on the back and say shhh. Or maybe the shh bothers her, so just do the pat. also, tracy says to say sshhh for some babies, but to break into the cries wtih "it's okay, it's okay" for some babies.
Menachem doesn't really like shh pat either. it's too stimulating. I lay a hand on his back, and one on his head, and I rub his head. if he's calming on his own, I don't even rub. i just have my two hands on him. I'll say shhh only if he's screaming. sometimes it helps him quiet, but I stop that when he's quiet. See what variation works with your baby. I find sometimes he does need the patting for a little while, and now he's a little older, it's not overstimulating for him, but i often have to stop has he's calming down. otherwise the next pat will startle him.
Sorry i'm so long-winded today!!!
just wanted to give you a feel for different ideas.
hope this helps.
Dirty diapers all the time is very normal. For us, that stopped abruptly at something like six or seven weeks.
