High Needs Baby Support Group (thread IV)

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Yoohooo! Over here!

The last thread was filling up so I've started us a sparkling new one.

The original thread was to support those of us with babies fitting the following criteria:

1. Feeds frequently daytime
2. Feeds frequently nighttime
3. Needs to be constantly held
4. Wont sleep alone
5. Hates the car seat/pram
6. Short naps

Some of our babies have grown out of some of those now, but we're still here to support each other through the sleepless nights and noisy car journeys and to offer hugs, chocolate and wine to anyone who's struggling.

So if that list sounds familiar then come and join us as we delight in our active, inquisitive, curious and restless babies or toddlers!

Sounds like most everyone had a rough night...us too! DD was on 2 hourly wake ups, and taking about an hour to settle back down with each one. Even co-sleeping failed to settle - she tossed and thrashed about the bed all night long. No clue why. I actually had high hopes for last night as DD was quite cheerful yesterday with good naps, and chilled in her push chair when out and about. Had a nice bath and bed at 8pm. All and all a great day, but then a terrible night! I have kept a sleep long, and really try to find a pattern but it just seems so random.

Feeling pretty low, mostly at the thought that DD will probably be an only child as I really don't think I could manage another high need baby and high need toddler at the same time.

I really hoped that by 6 months it would be a little easier. I don't think I have unrealistic expectations. I see threads from mums here who are complaining about one night waking, or starting the day early after the baby's slept for 10 hours. I'd be happy with just a 5-6 hour stretch, a feed, another 2-3 hours another feed, then an hour and up for the day. There have been a few rare occasions when this has happened, but only a few.

Ok, moan finished. Wishing you all more peaceful sleep tonight!

Thank you Joyful - you are always so supportive and that gives me hope! I really, really don't know how mums with high need babies / toddlers cope. How on earth do you manage running after toddler with un-put-downable baby all day? And all on just a few hours sleep a night? I don't know where I'd find the strength. Hats off to you who do - you deserve medals.

Oops. Meant to say sleep log, not sleep long. Wishful thinking, Freudian slip there. Been following The No Sleep Cry Solution, you see.

Well we had a better night last night - two wake ups between her going to bed at 10.30pm, and me getting up at 6.30am.... the second one was about 5,30am and I have no idea what time the first one was but it felt like I'd barely got to sleep!

Hope everyone gets a good night tonight... :)

Hey there. Sorry I haven't been around for a while - back to work and then a weekend away.

Joyful - I'm sorry that things are so bad. Do you have people you can talk to in rl? Please do make the appointment with your GP, even consider calling Samaritans or similar now if you need a friendly, non-judgmental ear. Please don't withdraw from the thread. Meltdowns are surely what we're here for? We'll just worry if you disappear.

Oh, on a purely practical note, Joyful - if you need a few minutes of not holding your baby while he's refusing to sleep, have you tried putting a radio in his room and leaving him (just for a few mins)? I did it tonight when I couldn't cope with DS crying at me and planned to just take a breather outside his room. Actually, it calmed him down and he fell asleep. Gasp. I've left it playing in case it keeps him that way for a bit longer than normal! (Disclaimer: this is the only time I have tried this; it is not scientifically proven)

joyful hope you're OK.

Raspberry Don't be daft (said affectionately) don't you be going anywhere! :)

Well DD is asleep already! so I plan an early night.... here's fingers crossed for us all....

Joyful As Truth says, don't withdraw. That's what we are here for. To support each other. If it is of any help or solace to you, please keep posting. We are listening. I might be heading your way this weekend - flying visit to take DS to see my mum - if you need anything, just say, my dear.

Raspberry You are, like anyone else who needs a place of support, more than welcome to be here. Don't even think of backing off!

Dentist today. Was shitting it all morning, and then my appointment was half hour late, not good for the ol' nerves. But I've had stage one of the work done, in a week or so I go and get it finished off. It wasn't pleasant but as always, once the injections were over, it was pain free and ok - well, as okay as a vast amount of drilling can be... Was numbed up so much that I had a 'trout pout' for most of the afternoon. DS kept looking at me like So achy now though, paracetamol isn't quite cutting it. Why did I choose to do this to myself again?

Wishing you all a peaceful, sleep-filled night.