20 nth old excessive crying

[Haahoooo]

Poor DD has started to wake up at night and crying excessively. The only thing that helps is DH sitting with her in his arms until she sleeps. He works long hours so it's really taking its toll.

This is almost certainly due to a combination of recent illness (she's just had chicken pox) and newborn DS arriving 2 weeks ago. As I had a c-section and also breastfeed DS at night I haven't been able to comfort her as much and she's been relying on DH.

How do we get back to normal? She calms down when DH holds her and will even go in her bed as long as he is patting / rubbing her back, but as soon as he tries to leave she becomes hysterical, unless she's fast asleep by that point. If I'm not feeding I try to go in but she's now expecting / wants DH.

Any advice would be really appreciated!

Bump

Sounds as though it is anxiety related, as you say, probably due to the new baby. Could he try settling her with a handhold through the cot rather than all out cuddles? A gradual retreat sort of thing? I would have thought things will settle down a little in the coming weeks

Thank you very much. We tried the handholding this past night - she woke up three times! - and it worked well, although DH did stay with her for quite some time. Much better than cuddling / rocking though and she fell asleep while lying in her bed. Hopefully we will have our good sleeper back soon. Newborn DS is easy in comparison atm

Thanks again.