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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Lovely neighbour banging on wall

324 replies

Pastnowfuture · 24/08/2021 07:53

We have lived in our home for 5 years. It's a terraced house and we've always had a good relationship with our neighbours. We chat in the street often and we exchange christmas cards. When our son was born 15 months ago they bought him an outfit. A few weeks later we gave them a card and wine to apologise for the newborn crying. Over the last year whenever I have apologised for any noise the female's response is "baby's cry" and the male's response is "we don't hear anything".

My little boy started nursery 4 weeks ago and ever since he has been ill a lot and cries much more during the night. We never leave him to cry but he only wants to be comforted by me. On the few occassions I am desperate for sleep he will cry loudly in my husbands arms for about half an hour before finally the crying turns to sobs and he drops off.

In the last couple of weeks the neighbours have started banging on the wall. Three times in total. Last night he was very unsettled and at 3am they were banging on the wall.

I'm not really sure what we can do. I'm trying my best but feel like such a failure. He's not a great sleeper generally but I cosleep and breast feed so whenever he wakes we snuggle and he's quickly back down so limited crying (until last 4 weeks).

My son's room joins to theirs but if we changed his room it would join to their adult daughter's so wouldn't be any better. I saw the female neighbour after the first banging and she didn't say anything and neither did I. I hadn't actually heard the banging and genuinely assumed my husband had been mistaken as it was only 9pm. She was her usual friendly self to me and my son.

It must be awful for them and I feel really guilty but I also feel like the banging is really agressive. I'm anxious about seeing them in the street and last night I couldn't sleep even when my little boy finally went down because I was worrying he would wake again and disturb them.

They've always been so lovely. AIBU to be so upset by this? What should I do/say if anything?

OP posts:
burritofan · 24/08/2021 08:33

babies cry, you can't do anything about that and banging on the wall is a real dickish thing to do. Pop over and say you've heard them banging and you're aware of them being woken up but it doesn't help when you're trying to settle your baby so everyone can get some sleep. It doesn't need to be a confrontational conversation but it's time to address the issue.
Agree with this. I’m sure it’s frustrating for the neighbour to have interrupted sleep, but children cry, and banging on the wall isn’t going to make your son suddenly go, “Oh! It’s sleepy time.” He’s not a loud party or show-off sex noises. Nor is the banging going to help you; it’s just them (or the daughter) letting off steam, but they’d be better off getting earplugs, moving their bed away from the wall, etc.

SantaMonicaPier · 24/08/2021 08:34

I'm sorry to say that would be desperation from sleep deprived people. There's a reason it's a form of torture. We have done the same when the neighbours' kids treated us to a violin and piano concert at 2am one morning. It absolutely wrecked me for the next couple of days when I was trying to work.

Laiste · 24/08/2021 08:35

@FrankGrillosFloof

Is it the adult daughter who’s banging and perhaps her parents aren’t aware?
That's exactly what i was going to say.
Winemewhynot · 24/08/2021 08:35

Aw if the baby is sobbing for you and not settling for DH you should take over! Poor baby and poor neighbours, if you can quickly settle him why would you not Confused

Laiste · 24/08/2021 08:36

I hadn't actually heard the banging and genuinely assumed my husband had been mistaken as it was only 9pm.

Just want to highlight this bit of OPs post.

Banging on the wall at 9pm? Nasty.

Constellationstation · 24/08/2021 08:36

@TheWeatherWitch

I think I’d bang back next time, twice as hard, twice as loud and for twice as long! Are they stupid enough to think you’re not doing everything in your power to console your ds?

Ask them outright if they know something you don’t, because if they know how to stop a tot from crying they need to share that shit!

You’re already under enough pressure from your poorly child, neighbours banging on the wall are not helping in anyway, just adding to your stress!

Totally agree with this!
NewlyGranny · 24/08/2021 08:38

Banging on the wall is futile and aggressive. I hardly know what I'd say to them, but whoever is doing it is not a lovely neighbour!

SmileyClare · 24/08/2021 08:40

Time for another card and bottle of wine I think

Hmm you could be right. The banging could be a calculated effort to obtain free wine. Grin

I don't agree that you should confront your neighbours over their banging. I think that's going to create bad feeling and make everything awkward. I'm all for keeping neighbours on side and being polite and friendly even if they can be annoying.

Mantlemoose · 24/08/2021 08:40

It surely isn't healthy to let your baby cry for 30 minutes at any time of the day/night? If baby will only settle for you than you need to be looking after him. If it is during the night take him downstairs. When you live in an adjoining house obviously noise is to be expected but in this situation there are things you can be doing to help.

ittakes2 · 24/08/2021 08:41

If he has started nursery maybe consider he is also more hungry and try feeding him more during the day. My son didn't sleep through the night until he was 4.5 yrs old - and so I have read a zillion sleep books and paid for 2-3 sleep consultants. And with my friends feeding their children more during the day has helped with night sleeps. Its very unusual for a child suddenly to be crying regularly in the middle of the night regardless of the fact he has just started childcare and has been more sick. 30mins at 3am is a long time to cry.

3luckystars · 24/08/2021 08:43

What age is your son?

SmileyClare · 24/08/2021 08:45

Our son was born 15 months ago .... Sounds like he's 15months Wink

AlmostSummer21 · 24/08/2021 08:49

@TheWeatherWitch

I think I’d bang back next time, twice as hard, twice as loud and for twice as long! Are they stupid enough to think you’re not doing everything in your power to console your ds?

Ask them outright if they know something you don’t, because if they know how to stop a tot from crying they need to share that shit!

You’re already under enough pressure from your poorly child, neighbours banging on the wall are not helping in anyway, just adding to your stress!

But they aren't doing everything they can to settle their toddler (not baby) the little one wants mummy, but mummy is leaving him to scream with Daddy - it's not fair on the neighbours.

@Pastnowfuture. You are not doing 'all you can' when you know it's you he wants, not his Dad. He's new to nursery, he's asking for cuddles/reassurance from you, you need to be the one seeing to him for his sake & the neighbours.

Farwest · 24/08/2021 08:49

Do not take over from dh! This is terrible advice, and will ensure that your baby never settles for dh, only you. It will undermine dh's confidence as well. He sounds like a great Dad.

I do think that dh needs to take the baby downstairs, and to try different strategies to settle your dc. You don't have to be the only one capable of comforting an unsettled baby.

twinningatlife · 24/08/2021 08:51

*Are they stupid enough to think you’re not doing everything in your power to console your ds?
*
The OP has said she knows he only settles for her but when she wants some sleep they let him cry it out "loudly" with her DH for half an hour

Half and hour at 3am could then mean the neighbours can't get back to sleep and they could be up at 6am to go to work like a lot of households are

OP - I do think you should mention it to them - in a conversational kind of way - maybe take round a gift of ear plugs, eye mask and chocolate and say sorry we heard you banging last night - it's just a phase and in a couple of weeks should be back to normal

twinningatlife · 24/08/2021 08:54

@Farwest

The OP is breastfeeding at 15 months - of course he is only going to settle for her and not her DH - his dad doesn't have what he wants.....

BradPittsLeftTit · 24/08/2021 08:57

I'm wondering who those posters are voting YABU

And lots of comments about OP 'leaving the baby to cry for 30 mins'. The baby is in the fathers arms and being comforted. They just want mummy. And presumably if the baby is at nursery, then mum is back at work.

So what is she supposed to do? NEVER let her DH step in because of the neighbours? Be constantly sleep deprived? Then how will he learn to be comforted by his Dad.

I think the chastising for leaving him to cry is uncalled for and YANBU to be upset by the banging. I do agree that on those occasions, perhaps your DH could take him downstairs to try and calm him down.

OP, I'm 4 months on from where you are. Lockdown baby who hasn't been exposed to any germs and suddenly gets EVERYTHING at nursery. It does taper off, I promise! Calpol, baby ibruprofen for those instances, snufflebabe on feet, chest, calpol vapour plug in, vapour baths: if he won't take medicine, add it to a little yoghurt or ice cream and use a spoon.

Good luck!

Pumasonsatsumas · 24/08/2021 08:57

Anyone living in a terrace has to accept the possibility of noise. If they don't like it, they can move (harsh but there you are). In a few years you may be banging on their wall because their daughter is playing loud music, and you might decide to move instead. You're doing your best and one day this will pass. There's nothing you can do til your little one gets passed this so no point letting it weigh on your mind.

QueenHofScotland · 24/08/2021 08:58

I must have missed the bit where the OP said they let the baby scream for 30 minutes at 3am? She said he was unsettled. And usually her son settles back down quickly.

OP there is nothing you can do. Keep doing what you are doing. Ignore the banging.

To those of you saying that her DH shouldn’t be settling the baby if it causes him to cry - when we were trying to reduce night time feeds my DH used to cuddle our DD’s so that they weren’t rooting around for a breastfeed. The OP also deserves to rest. You are all assuming that she does not work etc or that she has an opportunity to sleep during the day.

OP I used the Elizabeth Pantly pull off method when we tried to reduce night time wakening and it worked a treat. I didn’t read all the stuff religiously but enough to do it. I BF until my girls were 2.5years but was back at work and didn’t feel they needed a bf overnight after they were 1.

RealBecca · 24/08/2021 08:59

Id go round the next time it happens in the middle of the night with baby in your arms.

Might give the human image of having kids. Suspect they will be too ashamed to open door and will stop banging. If theu do answer say

"Hi i heard a banging and just wanted to check you were ok as we don't normally hear that so were a bit concerned."

I reckin they will be too ashamed to answer or do it again.

SunShinesBrightly · 24/08/2021 09:03

@HPmagic

Bring him down to the living room to cry if he's that's loud and keep rocking and until he drifts off that's what we used to do. Keep the living room dark etc and no difference
I would do this. Take him downstairs .
girlmom21 · 24/08/2021 09:03

At 9pm I'd be going round there and asking to speak to whoever banged on the wall and ask them how they think they're helping the situation.

At 3am I'd be getting out of bed and settling the baby myself as it's not fair on anyone.

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 24/08/2021 09:04

I cosleep and breast feed so whenever he wakes we snuggle and he's quickly back down so limited crying (until last 4 weeks)

The baby normally settles for her but isn't at the minute so the Dad steps in so that she can sleep. As a breastfed and co-sleeping baby I think the Mother here has had enough disturbed sleep and surely at 15 months on deserves at least a chance to sleep.

I would just reassure the neighbours that you are trying to settle the baby. Banging on the wall is pointless and pathetic. What does it achieve? Just makes the parents more anxious.

DancesWithTortoises · 24/08/2021 09:05

If my neighbours let a baby sob for 30 minutes I'd probably bang on the wall if I knew he would have stopped for the other parent.

If you know how to quieten him then you need to do what it takes. If not apologise And say you are trying to address it.

Another who thinks it's the daughter maybe watching tv in her room.

dottydodah · 24/08/2021 09:06

I would just say to her /him that Baby is being unsettled at nights ATM.You are trying to settle him down.Maybe as others have suggested take him down stairs or settle him with a feed .They probably are nice enough people but no one is going to be very pleased to be woken at 3 am!