WWYD? 3 month old needs lots of jiggling to go off but my can't take it anymore

[BellaBalloon]

that's it really - oh and a sat down shush pat leads to lots of screaming. it's a winder upper rather than relaxer...

really don't know what to do - can take a bit of grizzling but not full on tears...

any ideas?
TIA

[CoupleofKooks]

if you have a sling meet near you they can demonstrate and probably lend you one to have a try with
i found having a good comfortable sling in the early months really transformed our lives (sounds a bit dramatic but you know what i mean!)

[BellaBalloon]

you're such a star thanks - will have a look.
i know what you mean about the baby bjorn!

[CoupleofKooks]

have you ever used a wrap sling (like Close, Hug a Bub) etc
I am very unco-ordinated i promise, but even i found i could learn to tie one (i used to have trouble using a Baby bjorn too, so if you can manage one of those you can manage a wrap)
if your son is heavy a woven wrap would be best - they are really supportive - mine is with a friend atm but i bet someone on here would lend you one - or you could buy and resell when finished - they have good second hand value
have a look here for instance
lots of people also like more structured carriers like the ergo
have a google or you could look on natural mamas for advice or to buy a second hand one

[BellaBalloon]

i agree actually - do you have one you would recommend ? if so I will purchase toute de suite. the baby bjorn is doing me in and i do like be able to carry him around

thanks very much

[CoupleofKooks]

i agree it's very heavy carrying a baby in your arms - not in a good quality sling though
hope you find something that works for you

[BellaBalloon]

thanks kooks - but he is just too heavy to carry any more than i already do, which is quite a lot {smile}

[CoupleofKooks]

p.s. one of mine needed rocking in a sling until he was nearly 3! and the current youngest falls asleep best by being pushed in a buggy for as long as it takes

[CoupleofKooks]

if you were wearing a supportive sling (wrap style NOT baby bjorn) you could go for a gentle walk during this time and even get on with things if you wanted to, without it bothering your back any more than carrying a rucksack would do

[bluesatinsash]

p.s. I've always had to sing/cuddle my boys to sleep at nap time. Never once have they drifted off on their own .

It never affected their night time sleep though so don't sweat it OK?

[bluesatinsash]

Funny you should ask about our old stomping ground but jumping suggested we started a new thread in post-natal to swap stories/tips/advice/gin .

its over here

Can you progress from holding your DS tight whilst standing to sitting with him? I'm a big BW fan and remember one of the first things I didn't do (and instructed all family members not to either) was shoogle the baby in any shape or form. Its just human instinct to shoogle when they are crying but holding them tight and still calms them better (as long as they are tired enough to want to sleep of course).

Song wise my back catalogue is:

Aidelwise (Sound of Music)
Its Going to be a long night (Lori Singer, Kids form Fame
Go to Sleep my Baby (my Mum used to sing it to me)

Go to sleep my baby
close your big blue eyes
Angels up above you
sleeping as they peep into the sky up up above
the big blue moon is shining
stars begin to peep
time for little babies called to go to sleep

Not to any tune I could point you in the direction of - I'd need to hum it to you!

[Katymac]

We have a fair amount of success with the old fashioner baby bouncer chair (the metal framed one) - it can be rocked with a foot & it doesn't (generally) trigger sciatica

[BellaBalloon]

ps apologies for typos - i was bfing. At least i have an excuse now!

[BellaBalloon]

BLUE!!!!!!!
hi1 so nice to 'see' you and thanks so much for replying - i really wanted advice from my second time round chums. was wondering how to do a reunion thread. i lost the old one.

to answer your question, i def have his tired times right.
i just discovered that he is soothed by my singing, bless him, but gets irate if i'm not standing up. shh patting and singing and gently swaying and holding works in 5 -10 mins ish - i can get him down before he's asleep but then pat for a good while longer. i have been trying to cut down the movement. you're right though i must persevere. i keep hoping that he will 'get it' before my back gives out. I will try again holding him closer and tighter. I do think being able to see what's going on puts him off the old sleep thing. What song do you sing? I'm stuck on mockingbird and twinkle twinkle - both with very made up words. They just seem to have the right rhythm to pat along to...

before i had him i read the baby whisperer and it all looked so easy! (pardon the pun). I honestly thought that it might work like a manual. Twas not to be and i spent a good few days at the beginning feeling like a failure as a result.

i envy those who can simply plop them into the cot and leave the room to make a cuppa and then say "and i couldn't believe it! there he was asleep!"

I really want to help him master it all though as his nights aren't that great as it is. don't want to suffer the sleep regression that seems to hit 4 and 5 month old babies...

I really hope that everything is working out well with both DSs. sounds like it is.you old pro! I am totally loving every minute of it. Babies are just so sweet. I feel broody again already

thanks brennab i was wanting a non buggy solution so that one day i won't have to jiggle around in a pitch black room in the middle of the night. Sadly he has never found rocking soporific. Just fun!

[bluesatinsash]

Hey Bellab

In a word - persevere!

First check that your DS is tired and due a nap. Is he doing the seven mile stare/rubbing his eyes/losing interest in toys. Have his contended noises become irritable moans..

I hug DS2 in tight and sit very still in rocking chair singing him to sleep at nap times. He does protest (as did DS1) but I knew their cries were 'crying down' rather than 'crying up' IYKWIM. It takes anything from 5-10 mins for them to fall off.

I wouldn't do the pram as it can become a bit of a prop but whatever works go for it!

HTH

[brennannbooth]

Put the baby in the buggy and push that back and forth?

Get a rocking chair?

[BellaBalloon]

oops-my back can't take it