So at about 2 months we started letting our DD sleep in her car seat because of reflux. She has slept (in a loose definition of that word lol) in there since.
Well she is closing in on 5 months. The inevitable will be happening-- 1 sitting up on her own and 2 starting daycare, so need to start transitioned her back to crib
take 1 occured tonight and lasted 10 min each time. She seems to be waking when she moves and then can not calm herself back down.
I should mention she was deemed "fiesty" from birth. She will not "cry herself back to sleep" she will/can and has screamed for HOURS (even while being held , we are not cruel) during the worst of her colic/reflux times. We made it though that .. we will make it through thing
she is breast fed.... hates the bottle (that is a whole other fight...) and I do nurse her to sleep. she will occaionally take a pacifer
We did start solids as a way to help with the reflux. Over all her meds seem to working well right now although teething appears to be new issues lol
so mamas anyone else go through this? .Happy ending stories/words of wisdom to offer?
thank you all... tried some of the tricks and she slept from 8-2 in her crib!!!! I know the length could be a fluke... but she CAN do it!!!
Try raising the head of the crib for a few weeks so she's sleeping at an angle. It will be more familiar and will help percent a reflux flare up.
I transitioned my daughter with reflux fro a swing to crib at about that same age. You can do it. Perhaps make the crib cozier by putting some pillows in to make the space smaller so its more like the size of a car seat. If she can roll over this isn't a gold idea though.
Where do you put the car seat when she sleeps in it? Have you tried setting the seat IN her crib so she gets used to the surroundings and the view from the crib? I wonder if that might help to ease the move to her crib a bit. Also, when you do lay her down, can you roll up a small blanket or towel and put it under her legs so it props them up and has her in the sitting postion, only laying on her back? I did this for my kids so they could relax their legs but stay in the postion that looked more comfy to me. I just snuggled the towel up to their bottom under their thighs and their feet just laid on top. It helped them to not jerk and kick their legs and wake themselves up too. Hope it helps a bit.
Haha-I put my first son to sleep in his carseat also because of reflux and just because it was the only way he would stay sleeping!! I feel for you-its not easy when your child is not a good sleeper. You are right to stop this now though...it is getting to the point where it will be unsafe. I will tell you there is a happy ending-my son is 9 now and sleeps through the night until 10 am the next day! I couldn't tell you how or when it got easier-just know that it WILL. This will be a distant memory someday.
Yes, she needs to get out of the carseat. My son also slept in one until about 3 months when he started to be able to climb out. I was really nervous about how he was going to sleep without it! Does your daughter eat any rice or cereal yet? That will help calm her digestive system. Is the treatment that your doctor has her on for reflux working? Could she be allergic to something? My son is allergic to dairy and we didn't know it for almost 2 years. I am not a CIO advocate because it does not work for all kids, especially those with sensory issues. My son started sleeping in a crib at around 4 months when we started cereal. I also would nurse him until he was asleep and then put him in there and put my hand on his chest if he stirred. He had a lovie too. If you don't nurse her or are trying to get him used to daycare, will she take a pacifier or a bottle to fall asleep? She sounds like she needs some support settling down. Everything will be just fine!
ive been threw thecolic and the teething. My 2 year old slept in a bassinet fine but has never liked his crib, we now have a toddler bed for him and he still wont sleep in this. we have tried the whole put the baby there and let them cry to sleep hed cry for hours and not sleep. he still sleeps in my room. not on my bed anymore thankfully but next to it on his mattress. You just need to try differnnt things. try putting carseat in crib, then elevating mattress etc to get her use to it, etc.
Dr. Ferber's _Solving You Child's Sleep Problems_ is a lifesaver. I highly recommend reading it the whole way through before you make changes. I also wouldn't be surprised if she does great a daycare-- kids know when they can get away with things and when they can't (even at 5 months!) My guess is she'll do great there and give you fits at home. Talk to them about their suggestions-- they've seen it all!
As someone who's been through it, I would say that you are going to have to sleep train her-- she's going to have to learn how to sooth herself back to sleep in a new environment. Is it going to suck? Oh, yes. Yes indeed. But you can do it now, or you can do it later. If you think she's feisty at 4 months, wait until she's 18 months. Help her develop good sleeping habits now, and you will be a thankful mama later.
My mom told me that the only way I would go to sleep as a colic baby was for her to drive me around lol. She said sometimes it took one little half mile trip, others miles and miles. In the middle of the night she would put me on a running dryer or have to drive me around, these days you can just use things like the Fisher Price bouncer
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&xhr=t&am...
It has a vibration setting. She would let me sleep in the carseat (buckled) in the crib and later lay me in the crib without it.
Just remember...this too shall pass. My son in infancy was horribly colic and had many digestive issues. I cut down my diet until I figured out what made him fussy (It was dairy for him) but only for a few months (their digestive systems grow out of things). I would suggest giving her probiotics (If you have a Savemart, the brand is Lifestart, it is amazing!) It will help her belly! Give her 1/2 teaspoon once or twice a day until it improves, and then cut down to 1/4 teaspoon once per day. Also, if you are into natural teething remedies, Chamomilla 30C is a great teething remedy,also at Savemart by Boiron. You can also pick up Hylands teething tablets, or in dire need, Childrens Ibuprofen I've found works better than Tylenol for teething pain because it is also an anti-inflammatory. Just my opinion, but 5 months old is early to start food, it will overwhelm her little tummy. Just remember, it is a stage, babies immune systems are not fully developed until 2 years old, so things can certainly change!
I have always been told (and experienced) that 3 days of solid consistency can usually change a bad habit for a baby. Some experience a few more days, and some less. If you are going to change something for her, stick with it and don't give in or waiver, it will be that much harder next time. I know it is very daunting and exhausting to have a screaming baby that will not relent! If you put in the hard work for a few days, you should have good results. I have friends that waited until they got older to break bad habits, and it is WAY HARDER! At three months old my first son threw crying and screaming fits, my husband took him and put him in his crib for time-outs every time (I thought he was totally ridiculous for putting a three month old in time-out) but wouldn't you know, a few days later, he quit, and never revisited that behavior! (at 6 years old now, he is a good sleeper) Babies are smart, they quickly figure out how to get what they want through certain behaviors. Don't forget they only have their cry and screams to express pain / discomfort.
Hang in there! :)
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