What's up with My Baby?

She's already used to it, tired mommy! She found out SO quickly that you would hold her, and now she's holding you to it!

So sorry. You are going to have to tell her night-night and let her cry. If you will just soldier on for a week without picking her up at all, not talking to her, it will take about a week.

Let her cry for 5 minutes, then go in, pat her on the back, and leave for 10 minutes. Then go back in after 15, then 20, etc. Add 5 minutes. You HAVE to watch the clock. She will finally fall asleep.

If you can't do that, you could sit on the floor beside her crib and just touch her leg through the crib slats. She will know you are there but you aren't doing ANYTHING else. That will wean her from being held, and you are there for her til she gets back into the sleep mode. Then stop sitting in the floor and let her whine herself to sleep.

If you decide to do this, don't vary one iota. If you cave in and pick her up, you will undo everything you've tried before and she will cry twice as hard because she knows that crying gets her what she wants - a night time pass with mommy. Very tired mommy!

You can do it! And you'll both be happier in the long run!
Dawn

I would say a growth spurt, she's the right age, and will have more.

And she has figured out you will hold her and she likes it...follow Dawn's advice and stick to it, and nap when she sleeps, no matter when that is!

It is shocking to me how many moms think it's ok to let a 4 1/2 month old just cry. She is not a 2 year old throwing a tantrum about not getting a toy at Target. She is an infant that needs love and security. My son was the same way the first few months. I know what you mean about the holding...it is exhausting. BUT you can use a swing, a carseat, a nap nanny, anything. I was not a fan of cosleeping either. I got my son used to a lovie and played music while I nursed him to sleep in his own room. The key is gentle consistency. It's ok to let her fuss but all out crying is NOT ok.

Growth spurt. She is needing more nutrition now. She also may have other things going on too. I am glad you talked to the doc about it.

She is probably going through a growth spurt, or is about to embark on a big developmental milestone (rolling over or sitting up, maybe). Chances are, within a few days, it will sort itself out again and she'll go back to being a good sleeper.

kids go through phases all the time with their sleep. just when you think you've gotten it down, something throws you for a loop. the bright side is, they usually resume their good habits pretty quickly.

hope she goes back to sleeping well soon!

Sometimes we just don't know why. It could be a growth spurt, a developmental spurt, teething, a full moon.... Every mom I talk to goes through little phases like this where suddenly their child's sleep schedule is thrown into the wind. It sounds like she's been a good sleeper from the beginning, so just try to drag yourself through it, stay consistent with bedtime/naptime habits, and soon enough she'll be back on schedule.

either let her cry it out....or use the swing. Unfortunately, she's already used to being held!