Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Advice

Any advice for a mom whose child won't nap and won't stop screaming and who is about to have a total meltdown herself? Olivia is parked in front of the tv playing barbies and Caleb is in his crib (because I finally had to put him down or run the risk of completely losing my cool) rattling the rafters with his shrieking. And here I sit feeling like a total failure at life and motherhood and basically everything. Really, truly. Any advice on how to get a baby to nap, and how to not neglect your other kid or lose your mind in the process?

11 comments:

Liora said...

Oh Emily!! That is sssooo hard and I am so sorry!! Honestly the only advice I have is to have a schedule (which I am sure you do!) so they have a consistent time and routine they follow every time you put them down, and then you just have to let them scream it out. It is horrible, and you may have to go sit outside so you can't hear them, but that was the only thing that worked for me. Jenessa was just like that when she was a baby, and that was the only way I finally got her to go down by herself. Good Luck! Hope that helps at all!

Diane Owen said...

I'm sorry Em! Sounds like we are both having one of those days today! I was going to say the schedule thing too. Or trying the swing and leaving him in there until it works its magic. And it is totally okay to let him scream if you need a break!! It took me a long time to learn that lesson, but with both my kids if I let them scream it out, sometime they are more easily consoled when I finally do go get them again. And if you want to bring him to my house I will hold the screaming kid for a couple hours while you get a break, anytime babe!

Holly Sanders said...

well....not to rub it in, but my kids have all been GREAT sleepers since 2 months of age. I learned a great lesson from the pediatrician that I worked for when I had Maggie. LET THEM CRY. They need to learn how to comfort themselves, so when they wake up they say to themselves, "it's ok, I don't need Mom, and I can go back to sleep on my own." If he cries for long periods of time, you can go in there, but don't touch him, just tell him that it's naptime, and he needs to go to sleep. It will probably make him more mad, but don't give in. IF you have to go back in again, do te same thing, but make the time in between going in longer each time. Easier said than done I know, but it has worked great for me, and for others I know. HAng in there.

Nunes Family said...

Em sorry for such a bad day! But I am with everyone else you just have to let them cry it out. Its hard but but man its great to have a baby with good sleeping habits.

the landreths said...

Hey Em--so good to get on your blog again. It feels like forever. Caleb is such a cute baby! What a doll. Your description of him reminds me of Luke. Same thing--he had a hard stretch of waking a lot and nothing would help and naps during the day were rare and if they happened they were short. But to be honest, nothing worked for me--i tried everything and eventually he just grew out of it. Ironically he is back into it now at 3 years old :). But we had at least a year and a half of great sleeping from him after he outgrew it :) I agree with everyone else, though, that consistency is really important. GOOD LUCK! You are a wonderful mom!

The Higgins Family said...

call a friend! When my baby is driving me farther than I feel I can go (so you're SO not alone!), it makes a difference for a calm, peaceful person to come take over for a little while. It's so hard! I'm so sorry you're going through a rough go... I do appreciate you sharing, though, so much-- it's comforting to know I'm not alone in not lovin' mothering 100% of the time... you're an awesome mom. I could tell when we'd visit you and I know you've even better since then! :)

Dina said...

I hate to say this...but sometimes babies just aren't good sleepers no matter what you try (my oldest was like that). Just be consistent, hang in there, and know that this too shall pass. Hugs! We miss you!

Phillip and Mary said...

Emily,
We truly do all feel that way sometimes, and like so many have said, you are doing your baby a great service by letting him cry. Even if he never sleeps, put him in his bed at 9am and 1pm every day for at least an hour and forget it! I know that's easy for me to say, but eventually, he'll give up and get the rest HE needs for his brain to develop! Have you ever checked out the video "The Happiest Baby on the Block" by Harvey Karp? It's really good and has lots of good suggestions. Is he colic-y or just sleepy? Now that I have baby 2 on the way, you'll have to give this advice right back in a few months! Just know, no matter what you do, you are a great mom! Love, Mary

Diane Owen said...

I have the book happiest baby on the block too, if you want to look at it. Its talking about colic mostly, but it does have good suggestions.

Peck Family said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Peck Family said...

I say hire a good babysitter and then you get out of the house.... go get yourself a spa treatment and relax.


Logan was such an intense baby and was so hard...

Lauryn was an angel that slept and would only wake up to eat.