Feel like I'm going mad....

[MrsPatMustard]

My 6mo DS has suddenly started refusing naps during the day and is screaming the place down morning, noon and night. He's utterly exhausted and I'm trying everything I can think of to soothe him (white noise, a nursery rhyme nightlight, a fan in the room, rocking, cuddling, shushing, singing - everything) but as soon as he's close to sleep he suddenly starts furiously shaking his head as if he's trying to wake himself up and then just starts screaming again.

I feel like I'm loosing my marbles here. He's always been such a placid, happy baby. I barely recognise this screeching, scratching, thrashing child. This morning I dumped him in his cot and walked out of the room for 20 minutes and just let him scream because I thought I would yell at him if I had to listen to him a moment longer. I'm not getting time to eat, shower or anything and I'm spending half the day walking around in tears. Why won't he sleep??? Can anyone offer any words of wisdom/sanity. I can't take another day of this....

[Jonkastique]

Oh lordy you poor thing. Could it be teething? Or hot weather? My lo hates the heat and will only sleep in her pram outside in a breeze. Are you able to get out to somewhere shady?

Do you have anybody else at home?

[PollyP0429]

Currently going through the same thing. Not that she's ever been a great sleeper but my DD has been settled for about a month or so. Then the scenario you describe happens.

No advice to give sadly just my theories: teething? The heat? My favourite theory is that its a wonder week.

None of this helps you cope though. Have you tried calpol or teething granules? LO stripped down to nothing? Extra feeds?

As for not being able to do anything, do you have a carrier? That will at least allow you to eat, clean if you really want to or go to the toiket without leaving him. As for a shower is DP around for that kind of thing?

If you figure out how to help him let me know!

[MrsPatMustard]

Thanks guys. I think the heat is definitely making it worse. I also wonder if something developmental is going on. DS seems really stimulated by everything at the moment and just won't let himself switch off. Yesterday I removed him from all stimulation, lay him on the bed in a cool dark room and lay next to him trying to shush him to sleep. It took over an hour to calm him down! I've noticed it takes him much longer to get into deep sleep at the moment, he carries on wriggling and kicking even once he's conked out.

My sympathies to all those exhausted Mums and babies out there....