Help my 3mo baby won't go to sleep without screaming

[smile4me]

My 12 week old baby was always fantastic and content up until 2 weeks ago... has always fed to sleep (she is EBF) then suddenly stopped and now the only way she will go to sleep is propped on my shoulder and after about 30 mins of jiggling up and down, the whole time for which she grizzles, or if i'm really lucky, screams. The rest of the time she is a lovely happy content baby, she just turns into a monster as soon as we try to nap.

I've tried increasing and decreasing awake times but has no effect so shouldn't be over or under tired. She is much better in the mornings, as in only takes 10 mins to get her to sleep rather than 40mins by bedtime. She will not sleep in the car seat or buggy, i used to rely on feeding or failing that walking with her in the front pack, but neither of those now work.

Please I need help... I can't go out anywhere because all that happens is she ends up screaming and have ended up trapped in the bedroom all day with a screaming child. We have currently been sitting here like this for 45 mins and ear plugs just don't cut it!

Ear infection? Has she had a cold recently?

Looking at fridge magnets helped my DS when in discomfort with colic.

I'm sure you will find the reason soon.

I think it's probably a random phase. At that age Dd2 screamed every night at bedtime and I couldn't soothe her at all. It was horrible, the only way she would settle was if she was left alone to scream for 5 minutes, then she calmed down when I went back in. If I held her she just continued to scream forever!

In her case the cause was probably a bit of colic and being over tired. It lasted about 6 weeks then passed.

Have you tried a sling? My ds and dd stopped feeding to sleep as they became more alert. So we used a sling for day naps. By about 4/5 months when I could use the pushchair, they slept on the go again.

Do you have a dummy?

We also got blackout blinds for their rooms plus white noise. Can you try that?

How about her naps? Her routine might need tweaking a bit

Although 40 mins at bedtime is pretty ok for a 3 month old in my experience...!

Sounds like colic 2-4 months is prime time. Try Infacol, gripe water. They love being held tummy down with one arm under chest and other under their legs etc. it will pass.

Hi thanks for the advice!
practicallyperfect hadn't thought of ear infection, am going to Dr for jabs on Thurs so will get them to check that one out.

brettgirl2 hmmm I had been thinking about leaving her for 5 mins too... sometimes I wonder if me holding her is making her worse, but I hate abandoning her when she's crying. That's going to be my last resort tonight if nothing else works.

iggly Yup playing white noise through the laptop while rocking on shoulder... can't decide if it works (can't get it loud enough) but is easier than loud shhhhing, which definitely does help! I do have a sling but get a very sore shoulder from using it... It used to work a treat when she was younger so maybe I'll have to buy another one. Have never tried BF in it though. We don't really have a routine other than at bedtime (up till she ruined it 2weeks ago) as her napping is terrible...never get more than 40mins at a time (I took that as the trade off for good night sleeps we were getting) but I'm pretty strict on trying to get back to sleep after 1hr15mins or so.

tazmo Thanks... she always used to hate lying like that but seems to have helped tonight! Has abated screaming for several 15 min stretches yesssssssssss!