Tips for how to stay calm when your baby is DOING YOUR HEAD IN?

[ellesabe]

My 10wo is a pain in the backside when it comes to daytime naps. She's exhausted but wakes up after 5 mins every time I put her down.

I find it infuriating and, whilst I never show my frustration, I feel like my nerves are wrecked and that I could just scream!

Does anyone have any tips for how to not get myself into such a tizzy?

[NotInMyDay]

Put baby down in cot. Go into another room, close the door and scream!

[ellesabe]

My 2yo would wonder what on earth was wrong with me!!!

[EMS23]

Go and look in the mirror. Sounds daft but sometimes my angry face looking back at me makes me feel stupid, which stops the anger in its tracks.

If I'm really losing it, I say out loud "this IS NOT the sort of mum I want to be".

[slbhill]

Oh you poor thing! And with a toddler too - eek! I think it would drive anyone round the bend. Have you tried working out why she wakes up, if you could reduce that problem you'd probably be fine (easier said than done, obviously). Is she warm enough, comfy etc., not hungry? Maybe try music or white noise?

There have been long spells when my little one would only sleep for any length of time either in the pram or carseat while moving, or in my arms. When my nerves were frazzled I just lived with it - it my arms are where he wants to be then so be it, nothing else is crucial right now. As a mumof1 though I'm guessing that's not really an option with an older child around too. Sorry, not sure that's any help at all.

Back to "take a deep breath, try to ignore the noise, stare at wall and count to 10. Remind self that this too shall pass".

[ellesabe]

Thanks all.

She still hasn't slept for longer than 10 mins in one go today but she did the same yesterday and then slept 10 HOURS in one go during the night!

The thought that she might do that again tonight is what is keeping me sane and stopping me from complaining too much

[FoofFighter]

A warm hot water bottle in the cot/crib/wherever she naps to warm it up a bit first might help? (obv take it out though)

[lola88]

I text my sister or best friend a big rant about how shite it is along the lines of 'this bloody child won't go to fucking sleep i swear i'm going to kill me' sounds terrible i know but once i've got it out i feel better, i find if i don't get it out then it builds up all day then by night time (ds doesn't sleep at night either) i'm losing my temper.

I would recomend only doing this with a woman who has children only they can understand while you love your child to death they are driving you insane.

[Iggly]

Put her down after ten mins or so, not straight away.

Or stick her in a sling for naps - I did this with dd when I had toddler ds and it worked much better. She naps fine in her cot - in fact she's a better napper than Ds ever was!

[MamaBear17]

My dd was the same. The best thing I ever did was buy a sling. She slept on me, but I had my hands back so could go for a wee if and when I needed!

[anniebunny]

My twins would sleep in the car so I had a route that took 45 mins and I used to strap them in (bit older than yours- toddlers rather than little babies) and drive it with classic fm on loudly. Not very eco friendly but my sanity needed it.

When they were babies I had a big cushion that wrapped round my waist so I'd latch one on each side and feed them to sleep (I know, I know, rod for my own back but it worked at the time with both at once) then sit and read a book, watch TV etc with them asleep on the cushion- didn't bother trying to move them into a cot. The only other thing that worked when they were little was putting them into the buggy and going for a long walk- they'd sleep in the buggy and I got a bit of exercise.

I hope it improves- it's a horrible feeling when you can never have a minute to yourself because you're constantly dealing with a baby. Have you tried a baby carrier? That also worked for us if I had another adult to have the other one!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Agree with the others, get a sling and put her in it. Think if I hadn't have done that with dd I would have seriously lost the plot. Things like swaddling, white noise, warming her moses basket and putting her down after 10 minutes are worth trying too.

[Katla]

My baby (13weeks) is the same - won't stay in cot for more than 10 mins for daytime naps (thankfully she's ok in cot at night too). I have a big pillow (65x65cm) on the sofa and she'll sleep in that if I start her sleeping in my arms, wait ten mins then put her down. I think it works because she's more propped up than flat in cot.

[Katla]

Sorry didn't answer question - sometimes I make up words to soothing lullabies 'shut the fuck up' sung gently makes me feel better. Or else to join in with the crying...

[stargirl1701]

I find it helpful to 'speak' what I think the crying means. So, if it's wind I chant over and over 'help me mum, my tummy hurts' or if it's sleep 'I need you mum, help me fall asleep'.

Putting words to the crying really helps me stay calm.

[BertieBotts]

Get a sling? (sorry!)

[TheDetective]

Oh yes Katla that works wonders too. That and 'go the fuck to sleep' being the other favourite. I'm sure I'm going to go to hell for it one day . Please tell me they don't remember this stuff!!!

My only way to stay cool as a cucumber is to hand the baby over to someone else like DP and then go and sit and have some me time even if it is 10 minutes. Then go back.

Failing that, put the baby in the car, and drive the bugger to sleep! With the music on loud.

[boxoftricks]

This was posted on a thread a while ago... Makes me laugh! Only 5 mins
m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=CseO1XRYs9I&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCseO1XRYs9I&gl=GB

[NotGeoffVader]

Oh 'go the fuck to sleep' is my mantra at the moment. DD is two tomorrow and has barely slept through the night for the last three (almost four) months. Waking at around 2 or 3 or 4am. Last night I got up with her as she refused to lay down again in her cot (we're in a one-bedroomed apartment), and I had to take her to the lounge, where I dumped her in her playpen, muttering ferociously under my breath. Lots of swearing.
If I wasn't so sleep deprived I'm sure I'd be nicer about it.

Sorry, wasn't trying to derail your thread, OP, just feeling your pain.

[balroymum]

Hilarious!

[Katla]

I like your idea Stargirl maybe try that instead