I guess that I should first right that this is the first time I have ever done any kind of message board or chat room scenario so please forgive my mistakes as I am learning as I go
first let me answer your questions:
How old is your child?
4-1/2 months
What’s his/her daily routine?
wakes up between 5-6:00am but I can usually keep her in her crib with her soother and mobile until 7:00am
first feed by bottle is between 7:30-8:00
then activity time
first nap is between 9:00 and 9:30 usually goes about an hour
second feed is between 11:30 and 12:00
activity time
second nap is between 1:00 and 1:30 pm
third feed is between3:30 and 4:00
activity time
bedtime is between 6:00 and 6:30 pm
What’s nap routine?
I start to notice her yawning and rubbing her eyes. I then cradle her in my arms. once she has heavy eyes we move upstairs, close her blinds and turn on a noise machine then put her down in her crib. by this time she is usually just asleep. She usually wakes up when I put her down and fusses. I sometimes have to pick her up 1 or 2 more times until she settles in her crib. wait to make sure she is asleep then leave.
How long are naps?
mornings are usually 1 hour
afternoons are anywhere from 1/2 hr to 2 hours
What's bedtime routine? Time?
bedtime starts between 6:00 and 6:30
we go into her room and undress her, change diaper put on pj's and then sit in her chair and read two stories. After that we close her blinds turn on the rain machine and get her bottle and she has her last daytime feed. she usually falls asleep during this feed and wakes up when I burp her. I then give her a soother and snuggle with her for about 5 minutes and then stand up and snuggle for another 2 min. or so, then place her in her crib. She usually wakes up and I then give her, her bottle in the crib until she stops then I give her a soother again. I continue this process until she is asleep. Sometimes I have to pick her up again which then starts the process over again.
Do you bottle or breastfed??
bottle fed
How much? or how long?
I wish she would take more and if you have any suggestions for this I would appreciate it. She usually only takes about 120-130 mls. per feed except her bedtime feed we can sometimes get her to take as much as 225 mls.. her daytime feed usually are about 20 min. once she stops she then refuses to take the bottle again.
How many wakes per night?
2 - 1 at around 10 - 11:00 pm
1 at around 2- 3:00 am
What’s your LO like when waking at night? How long is he/she up?
She fusses initially when she wakes (my husband and I take turns) what I do is go in ( for the 2:00am feed she usually needs a diaper change or she is soaked by morning) and feed her then burp her she wakes up sometimes I then give her a soother then snuggle with her for a few minutes sitting and then standing then put her down in the crib. If she wakes up she is then given the bottle in the crib like with bedtime and the same is continued. Now quite often she will wake up (usually on the 2:00 am feed) and be wide awake and not fall back asleep no matter what we do. She is usually happy and wanting to play. we have tried everything to get her back to sleep but she is usually up for at least an hour. We don't know what to do during these wakes.
She very often takes quite a bit of coaxing to fall back asleep. we are usually up for at least 40-50 min. at a minimum each nighttime fed.
When you go to him/her is she fussing or crying? Or is it a mantra cry?
fussing
What have you tried to settle??
soother, picking her up, rubbing her tummy, talking softly to her, giving her the bottle in the crib(after her feed), probaby other things that I have forgotten now.
What do you do for A time and how long is it?
she usually plays at or on one of her toys, like an activity mat, exersaucer, in her playpen she has toys, then we also play with her as well, along with her big sister:)she can last 20-30 min. depending on the time of day. and go outside when the weather is good.
Are there developmental issues such as teething or milestones?
I wouldn't say they are issues. she is drooling but i don't think teething yet, she can roll from her tummy to her back and can pick up her soother and put it in her mouth expect when she is lying down. she has a very strong neck and can sit quite well with little support.
Have you introduced cereal? Why, how much, and how many times a day? (for LO’s under 6 months)
no, waiting until at least 5 months
Do they have a prop? If so what is it?
soother, rain machine, and bottle in the crib.
Do they have a lovie?
It is really very difficult to know what else to do for my daughter. she is a great baby during the day but the night times ( and naptimes) are awful. My family is really starting to suffer quite intensely from the stress and lack of sleep. I believe that I am suffering from a touch of depression now and am afraid of how I will continue to survive if this continues. Also I truly feel this is hindering my daughters well being. for example the most sleep that she gets at night is 8 hours. that just isn't enough for a baby. i wish I could help her but I just don't seem to know how and I am falling into these traps of relying on things that I hate doing. I know that if we continue as we are it will only continue to get worse instead of better. Please, I would appreciate any help that you can give my family and truly look forward and thank you ahead of time for you time.
LauraTH