Not coping with 7 month old

[jammydodge1]

I feel awful but I'm just not coping with my DD.

I've just put her to bed and crying in the bath because I feel like I've not shown enough love and affection today.

She's cut 2 teeth in 2 weeks, another 2 and coming through at the top, she's had RSV and still coughing a month on, her nose is running constantly, she's gone from being a happy and chilled out baby to refusing bottles, whinging all day no break apart from when she's eating, she's chewing and biting everything in sight, she rolls onto her front and then gets frustrated she can't move, she turns width ways in her cot every night and screams and screams, I move her back onto her back and the right way around and she just turns back over, it's like this continuously from about 1am-4am, rinse and repeat turning her back over in her cot.

DH called work off today (self employed) because I'm on my knees with tiredness, my house is an absolute state and we are moving in 3 weeks. On top of that I have an overexcited spaniel who has 2 hours of off lead walks a day and continues to run around, barge me if I'm not giving her attention etc. I feel like I can't breathe.

Please tell me that 7 months is hard and it gets better because I feel like I'm going to break 😩

Anything under 18 months is torture. You got through the day, well done. I reckon once the crawling happens the nights will solve themselves as it's her working it through in her head at night.

Audiobooks and hiding in a cupboard with a jar of biscoff spread got me through this stage.

I agree, unless you’re the type who LOVES babies and can cope on very little sleep, having a baby under 18 months is basically hell, punctuated by cute moments. I have a 9 month old who has had back to back colds for months and is teething, I also have a 4 year old. There have been many days I have sat on the sofa after they’ve gone to bed and just burst into tears. Solidarity!

Are you giving her Calpol/ibruprofein?

That was the only thing that seemed to help my LO while teething.

Cold things to chew on might help too - frozen fruit/those teethers you can freeze.

Please tell me that 7 months is hard and it gets better because I feel like I'm going to break

I mostly hated the baby and toddler bit, it's 98% fantastic now. It gets easier and easier.

could you afford a childminder? to give you a break?

OP is does get easier. I’ve got a 2.5 year old now and I still ask this question. But I’m on my own so that’s why it’s probably harder for me. I can see a turning point now, my little one will now sit and watch TV for a while to let me have a breather and will play with her toys whilst I tidy up and have a cuppa.
it is hard so please don’t beat yourself up. Sometimes I wish for the baby stage again so don’t wish it away as I can’t believe how quickly 2 and half years have went.
You are doing great!

Thanks everyone, I keep hiding in the kitchen with chocolate 🤦🏻‍♀️

She's been dosed up on calpol and ibuprofen for the past 3 weeks, I'm actually beginning to worry about her having it so much (obviously both within the dosing limits) but dr said to do what we need to do to get her through the teething because her cheeks are bright red and she dribbles a lot.

They've just started her on omeprazole as they think she could have silent reflux.

She refuses to nap, she must have an hour today in between 6am-6pm, I can't keep her up any later than 6 because she starts falling asleep and crying. I can rock her, put her in the pram, the car etc but she won't sleep any longer than 15/20 minutes.

Had her ears and throat checked a couple of days ago by Dr who said they're both clear. I'm at a loss of what to do. My Mum and Dad are having her tomorrow night so I can get a full night sleep, I'm even feeling guilty about that in case she thinks I've abandoned her 😔 I feel constantly over stimulated by her whinging, coughing, toys making a noise, washing machine on twice a day because we get through so many bibs and babygrows, dog at my feet/trying to climb on me etc, I just have no patience left 😢

And to make it worse, I feel like crying with guilt for feeling like this every time she does smile/babble at me. I love her more than I could ever explain but this is so much harder than I could ever have imagined.

I struggled massively when my baby was that age. You are not alone.

This might help when she is snotty:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Firtink-Aspirator-Snotsucker-Newborns-Toddlers/dp/B094XW9X6M/ ( my baby was always resistant to me using it on him, but it definitely helped clear the snot and get a better sleep)

Also this: https://www.boots.com/snufflebabe-vapour-rub-35g-10292822?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc--PLAs_HeroCompare---_-PMax:+UK_Smart_Shopping_Baby&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYlWgNzhRbLKtqP_Z4Qq-iAkTIYPphBselBMoXXJx5To3JBOEkZKxjhoCxG8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Good luck 🍀💐

Having a baby is tough, I tell you give me teens any day (well give me my teens who are well behaved) as I found under 2 very difficult. They talk of the terrible 2’s but I much preferred 2-3 then under that. Once they start sitting up and playing with toys things start to improve a bit as they do start to entertain themselves for short periods. Hang on in there; it’s all a phase and good your partner was able to help you today

The period where they can't move on their own but know it's possible was the worst for me. Constantly shouting and whining. Once she can move and is over the illness it will get easier. And don't ever feel guilty for asking for help. In the long run it will improve your capacity to parent and benefit her.

I think we are too quick to get out of the mindset we have with a newborn, where getting through the day both alive is enough. Might me time to reset expectations and give yourself a break

I'm actually beginning to worry about her having it so much (obviously both within the dosing limit

If you're within limits, honestly don't worry - they need it.

It's a tough enough time without nasty viruses on top of it.

Anbesol also used to be the strongest/best teething treatment.. but it wears off.

Could someone look after you dog for a while?

They could go on a little doggy holiday to someone else.

If I'd had a demanding dog on at me alongside a teething baby, I'd have totally lost it.

Yes - try to rehome the dog for a while, that would remove one issue.

I can rock her, put her in the pram, the car etc but she won't sleep any longer than 15/20 minutes.

Have you tried a carrier, like an ergo or a structured carrier (little life etc).

They tend to be quite happy in them generally and the walking movement might help drop her off.

It’s such a tough stage, throw in a demanding dog and a house move and I can imagine you’re on your knees. This too shall pass. Hang in there, you’re doing an amazing job in difficult times!

This is the worst bit. Outsource it. Get back to work pt. I lasted four and five months. Twenty years on, never a single regret.

Don't re-home the dog. If I were you I'd stick baby in a sling and walk and walk and walk with audiobooks. It'll help baby sleep and the dog will calm down as a result too.

Id also invest in some mental agility type things for the dog, like scent games and puzzle food bowls.

Thanks again everyone.

Anbesol is amazing but only for 5 minutes. My Mum and Dad have our dog 2 nights a week, he loves it (gets so much attention and even longer walks) and they love it (want a dog but both work long hours). I'm lucky to have the help that we have. I can't imagine doing this on my own, I'd of ended up leaving the country by now lol.

We have a snot sucker, I feel like I'm pinning her down and doing it 10 times a day right now. She's had back to back colds, RSV and teething for the past 2 months, it's been horrific.

Also can't wear a sling as I have sciatica from damage caused by a car accident 10 years ago, it absolutely kills me.

It's incredibly hard - my 7 month old is teething at the moment and I'd forgotten how bad it could get. On the plus side he can commando crawl, so I know I'm lucky that he's not super frustrated with not being able to move.

If she can roll, don't keep putting her on to her back when she's asleep. She has enough head control and you're waking both of you up.

Otherwise - hang in there, it does get better. I survived today as my 3 yr old was at preschool so I could eat leftover fondant icing straight from the packet.

I felt like my baby had a personality transplant at this age as he went from such a happy baby to 24/7 whiney angry crying, it was AWFUL!! But this is a tough age when they are teething and learning new skills and sleep regressing because of all the new things.
Definitely got better by 10 months when he could crawl and now he’s 20 months he is so much fun to be around and chat and play with! Hang in there xxx

Echoing what everyone else has said - it’s really hard! You are plagued with guilt whatever you do. My DS is almost 2 now and I remember the last couple of months before I went back to work being so tough. He wouldn’t nap, his teething seemed never ending and he had back to back respiratory infections/colds.
You’re definitely doing the right thing by reaching out and asking for support from your parents. Can they make it a regular thing?
You’ve had some good practical ideas here and I don’t have anything to add apart from support and to say you’re doing a great job. Give yourself a break and soak up those smiles and babbles. Being a mum 24/7 isn’t easy but it really does get easier. My days off now are just full of joy and laughter with my DS. Be kind to yourself xx