my daughters becoming unbearable

[rockinrobintweet]

she's nearly 7 months old. she's never been a sleeper, but recently she fights her sleep so much during the day that i just have a crying winging baby all day. the car doesn't work. the pushchair doesn't work. she won't go in her cot and beats me when I'm cuddling her (pulls my hair, pinches my face, fights to get out my arms).

i have introduced a dummy to try and help her get to sleep but nothing works. i used the hoover friday and she slept well and maybe once a week the pushchair works but she's literally becoming unbearable.

her bottom teeth are through and i can't feel any others so i don't think she's teething. i feel like i have tried everything. i even gave self soothing a go but she screamed louder than ive ever heard her scream for half an hour.

i feel like the worst mom in the world. nothing seems to be making her happy. i am yet to lose my temper with her- im very patient and calm so i don't understand why she's so angry. im a teacher and yet i can't raise my own baby. what's happening to me? how the hell do i get her to take her sleep so she can be happy again?

[holeinmyheart]

I think you need to take her to your GP if she is crying all day as she may be in pain. One if my daughters who is a Pharmacist gives her daughter Calpol for teething regularly.
You must feel a wreck with all this going on so perhaps you aught to contact Homestart in your area. They help people with under fives. Also if you are not getting much sleep then you will feel very tense. The baby will sense this and respond in kind.
When you have the opportunity is there anyone who will give you a break ? So that you can go out and get some fresh air or go to a Pilates class and forget about her for a bit?
What you are doing is very hard and all new Mums find looking after a small bay difficult. Try not to worry too much as everything passes and yelling or not your baby WILL survive.

[Guyropes]

Yes I was thinking pain too... Depending on how woo you go, I would try cranial osteopathy.

[holeinmyheart]

When I looked after one of my daughters as she had PND I used to get in a bath with her baby ( lots of non stick bath mats and taking infinite precautions) and lie in it with her and sing her soothing songs. Then wrap her in warm towels get my stuff on and get her fed and into a warm cot. I put a hottie in it.
When I first got to my DD she said the baby cried all the time but as I was experienced and confident I am afraid the baby soon stopped.
I think it is a vicious circle. You are exhausted and faced with a huge responsibility. This can make you feel anxious, the baby picks up on it and it becomes more fractious etc etc.
When you get to your fourth or fifth child rock it will be like shelling peas. K

[GothicRainbow]

Have you tried the car?? My DS went through a god awful stage where he refused all naps unless he was being driven. I did find however once he had caught up on sleep and was less overtired napping at home and also going down at night became easier.

[MikeTheShite]

What Gothic describes seriously helped me with my dd and saved my sanity

[Iggly]

What happens when she's in a pushchair? Do you have a snooze shade which blocks the view? Is she sitting up? Try walking her by busy roads.

Mine only slept at home with double blackout blinds and white noise on! Plus I would feed and rock.

Do you have a decent sling? She might fight it (check that she's not overheating and pinching) but generally they work well.

[rockinrobintweet]

thanks for responses. her dad took her out for the afternoon so i could do some uni work (why i am doing mature studenting and parenting is now becoming questionable but am in my final year!!) and when she was home i did the bath thing and we had fairy lights and played calmly. pleased to say she went to bed very well and a little earlier than normal.

am hoping (as this is normal with my dd) that the earlier she goes down, the better she sleeps and usually for longer. am hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

I'll get a doctors appointment in new year. she does have terrible eczema but it seems very controlled at the moment so would be surprised if it's that. i also gave gripe water this evening in case she's in some pain!

thanks again. much appreciated.

[Iggly]

She has eczema? It could be that she has a linked dairy intolerance - very common.

When you say controlled - is it gone or still there?