Desperately looking for advice as I’m so exhausted and miserable.
My LO is 8.5 months and has always cried quite a bit, as they do. I think we’ve hit the separation anxiety and I’m finding it so difficult to cope. I used to be able to pop her down for 10 minutes or so but my baby will not be put down at all.
She can’t sleep in her cot at all, I’m now cosleeping all night. I’ve tried leaving her to fall asleep in there & transferring. Neither work. She’ll wake before I’ve even lowered her. I’ve tried controlled crying which the HV told me off for. She won’t fall asleep being cuddled or rocked, only BF. Won’t settle for DP. She’s still up 4-6 times a night and will only be fed back to sleep.
She will only contact nap on DP or fall asleep on the boob with me, doesn’t fall asleep on me cuddling. She’s very ‘on the go’, won’t sit and fall asleep on you, you have to basically restrain her into a cuddle. Again, wakes up if I try to put her down. I’ve tried starting her off in the cot but she’ll stand up and scream. And it’s a scream, not a whinge or cry. I’ve tried sitting in the cot with her but she’ll scream too.
She won’t be put down at all in the day. I do sometimes use a carrier but it’s not always convenient if I’m hoovering the stairs or cleaning the oven for example. I can’t even shower or brush my teeth until DP is home because I genuinely cannot listen to the screaming, it makes me so anxious. DP works long hours and is often out the house 6am til gone 11pm so not able to save these jobs for when he’s home. I don’t have time to eat and it’s a struggle making foods for the baby too.
I’ve tried putting her in the highchair with snacks & toys. I have an activity table that I move about the house so that she can always see me but she wants to be held. She’s been crawling and cruising for a while so I think she just dislikes being contained. She really works herself up until she’s hyperventilating and I feel so bad. I’ve tried keeping her occupied with the telly too but rarely works.
Any wisdom please?