Hi K.,
Here is something that you may want to print out and read. I think that some of these tips may help you. Please also remember to use family and friends as a support system in case you need a night to yourself so that you don't become too frustrated. Perhaps someone could stay with you overnight so that you are steps away but you are able to get rest while someone else attends to the baby. I hope that this article helps. All the best.
C.
Infant Sleep Guide
Between the ages of three and six months, your infant will be able to sleep for longer stretches at night. Which means you'll get a little more sleep than before. Congratulations! Now your baby is beginning to under-stand the difference between night and day, which makes it a perfect time to establish a sleep time routine.
How much sleep?
Your infant will sleep between 13 to 15 hours each day. Its important to realize though, that every baby is different and some will more sleep, while others need less. Your baby will also need to nap from two to four times a day.
Create a loving night time routine
To help ensure that your baby is getting the sleep he or she needs, build a consistent sleep routine from a series of calming events that clearly says, "It's time to settle down and go to sleep." Your routine may include feeding, massaging, bathing, story telling and singing lullabies. You may also begin to establish a set bedtime, a set wake time, and set naptimes.
Put your infant to bed drowsy but awake
The most important aspect of getting your baby to sleep through the night is to have your baby learn to soothe herself to sleep. Put your baby down to sleep when he or she is drowsy but awake. Babies need to be able to fall asleep independently, so that they can do the same when they wake in the middle of the night.
Habits to avoid
Make sure your baby's nightime routine is not too long or too impractical to stick to. Try to avoid rocking or nursing your baby to sleep, because you may end up doing the same when your baby naturally wakes up during the night. Consider this: is this a habit you want to be catering to six months from now, or two years from now? Take turns with your partner with putting your baby to bed to help avoid developing such habits.
Bath time and massage say �it�s time for sleep�
You can also help your baby relax before bed by including bathing into her nighttime routine. Warm water and a lullaby can help soothe your baby into the land of nod. Be sure to use a gentle cleanser suited for your baby.
Enjoy your baby's bedtime routine. When you include massage and a bath, it becomes a wonderful time to unwind together and to bond.
Try massage to help relax your baby
Massage is a great way to relax your baby, especially now that he or she is using more muscles to move around, It's also a wonderful way to bond with your baby.
To begin, use an allergy-tested lotion, cream or oil that's mild and made especially forte babies. Start with your infant lying on his or her stomach. Make sure your hands are warm, then gently rub them back and forth six times on each of the following areas for about one minute in each area:
From the top of your infant's head to his neck
From his neck across his shoulders From his upper back to his waist
From his thigh to the foot and back to his thigh, on each leg
From his shoulder to his hand and back to his shoulder, on each arm
Now turn your infant over so that he is facing you. Move each arm gently, flexing it and then straightening it. Exercise each arm and each leg in this way, and then both legs, as if he were pedaling a tiny bicycle, for a total of five minutes. To finish, turn your baby back on his stomach and repeat the first sequence.