Hi,
I have new to the forum but have been lurking for the last several days reading postings. I happened upon Tracy's original book "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" from several recommendations from the Amazon site. Our precious DD is 6 weeks old and was fussy and irritable and just generally unhappy most of the time. We had almost given up and assumed that she is colicy until I read "Whisperer". After that and visit to the doctor, who suspected that she has "silent reflux" and put her on Zantac, I'm coming to the conclusion that she is somewhere between a touchy and textbook baby and just needs a little help with ensuring that she gets enough good sleep.
We have been trying to implement the EASY way for the last 5 days. Yesterday, I hit an absolute low (as in she and I both sitting there crying) because she simply would not settle down for a nap of any length. Of course, by the end of the day she had the "screaming mimi's" as we call them and it took forever to finally get her to sleep. I really need some advice and also some encouragement that this will actually pay off for both her and me (and my poor family)!
The Eat part of EASY is going OK - she's bottle fed and takes a good amount with each feeding (about 4 - 5 oz).
The Activity part is causing me a little concern - I can usually keep her entertained in one form or another for about 15 minutes. I try to keep the activity low key - like laying on her back and looking at her "lines" card or maybe looking at her mobile in her swing (without swinging). She seems Ok for about the 15 minute mark and then she starts to get fussy - but not really sleepy (at least no yawns), just fussy. I suspect this is the "touchy" part of her personality - but not absolutely sure I'm reading the clues right. Maybe she just doesn't need as much activity time? I'm not sure.
Naps are what is really putting me over the edge. Being less that 3 months, I gathered from the postings referring to Tracy's recommendations, that the PU/PD is modified for them. What I am doing now is:
Start routine with first yawn which includes:
Swaddle (this is an issue unto itself - she's HATES the swaddle and fights it every time so far. But if I don't do it, she wakes herself up flailing around - I've had to put it under the category of "it's for your own good" and just calm her down with the next steps.
Holding her while gently swaying and saying our Sleepytime phrase and then start with "sh"
At this point, she's usually crying - sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. I continue with sway/"sh" until she calms down and starts to zone out and eyes go 1/2 mast
Lay her down gently - this usually starts her crying.
I stay with her and pat and "sh" until she drops off
Usually she bolts awake again about 3 - 5 minutes later, fighting the swaddle and wriggling around.
I watch and then do pat/'sh" to calm her down again
May do this up to 4 times (at least today)
She finally drops off.
Not really using a paci - seems to make her more angry when she's upset.
If she really goes ballistic after I put her down and the pat/sh isn't cutting it, I will pick her up just get her calmed down again.
My question is this: I am working under the assumption that I am supposed to be letting her cry without picking her up (overstimulating) but staying and pat/"sh"ing until she settles down - is that correct?
Next issue: The dreaded 45 minute nap monster. I've been trying to catch her before she wakes up at the 40 minute mark (with her, at least) and have had some success. But usually she gets fully awake and I end up having to start the process all over again. Is this helping (starting all over again) if it gets her back to sleep? or should I give up and let her fully wake up at the point that her eyes fully pop open? Of course, I can't see where that helps anything so far as helping her get past this, so I am assuming getting her back to sleep from a 40 minute wake up is better than getting her up and having her major cranky, right?
How long does it usually take to start seeing results from this stuff in your experience? I know it's different with each baby, but it would really help me to know that there is an end to the process at which you get the "goody" (meaning a better rested baby and a less frantic mama)? I'm hoping the fact that my dd is only 6 weeks old will help - we didn't have so much time to do the damage with accidental parenting
Just let me say that I am so grateful you guys are out there and willing to help your fellow moms with this!!!!
