Infant Help

[Blackcat31]

I normally do not take kids under 9-10 months age at the VERY earliest but mostly 12 months old.

Currently, I am helping out a friend who needs care for her 3.5 month old son. I have him for the next two weeks from 9:30 to 2:30 daily.

He is breast fed and mom feeds him before arrival and then at 11:30 he takes a bottle and eats anywhere from 3-4.5 oz.

My problem with him is he cries non-stop. Well let's say 75% of the time.

He does not cry if I am holding him. He doesn't sleep except for about 10 minutes at a time. He is super happy and smiley and coo-ing IF I am holding him. If I lay him down at all, he immediately cries. If I pick him up, he instantly stops.

Mom said he was really colicky for the first 2 months but she eliminated dairy from her diet so he is doing much better now. I just am not sure if this is really anything to do with his tummy since he quits crying the second I pick him up.

It's only temporary as far as care goes....he won't be a regular dck. But not sure if I can deal with two full weeks of this.

Sheesh, I can get 12 kids between 1 yr old and 5 yrs old all asleep for 2 hours in one room but can't get one infant to sleep for more than 10 minutes. :confused:

I didn't think a baby so young could have preferances like that......Am I missing something here?

Any suggestions from experienced infant people?

[Cat Herder]

It is happening more and more.

It really is.

Ask Mom HOW she puts him to bed at night. Her explanation will most likely tell you what is going on.

If he only cries when gravity is applied, you have your answer. Especially if the crying slows and quiets as you approach. Antigravityitis.

[Breezy]

The last infant I had (and her sister when she was itty bitty) was the SAME way. Could not set the baby down or it was instant fuss, followed by a cry, followed by full on tantrum. I guess it is more common than I thought as when I joined the mommy forum I am on the majority of moms say that is how their baby is too.

Things that work:

Swaddling to sleep. (I did this with my own son until he was 7 months old. Literally would sleep 10 minute chunks not swaddled. BUT if he was swaddled he would sleep 3-4 hours in the day and 10-12 at night)

A t-shirt of the little ones mothers- so he doesn't feel alone.

If all else fails: A sling. I got the moby wrap but there are lots of others out there like baby bjorn, sleepy wrap, and mei tei (sp?) (<--- some people swear by that one!)


Occasionally, you just gotta let them cry. It was something I had a reaaaalllly big issue with as I am very no cry BUT sometimes when someone else needs to eat, diaper change, etc I would just let her cry and sit next to her (or as close as possible) and shhhh and talk to her or rock her with my foot in the rocker she was in.

Hope that helps!

[Blackcat31]

It is happening more and more.

It really is.

Ask Mom HOW she puts him to bed at night. Her explanation will most likely tell you what is going on.

If he only cries when gravity is applied, you have your answer. Especially if the crying slows and quiets as you approach. Antigravityitis.

Darn. I was hoping there was a different answer.

I should know better.

She co-sleeps. Even says she knows it is not recommended but that is what she does.

[Oneluckymom]

He most likely is used to being cuddled ALOT! But what I really think is going on is that he is nursed to sleep which would explain why he is not sleeping well with you and maybe mom has not caught on to this habit. Having nursed two I know from experience that this is what they want to go to sleep.

What about a pacifier?

There is not a whole lot I think you can do with him except let him cry a little if you know his needs are met and he is comfortable.

Does mom have some sort of an infant carrier you can use since you know this is temporary? At least you would be able to tend to the rest of the crew

[Christian Mother]

You need one of those baby raps to wear around if he likes to be held. I don't think he is colicky bc babies that are can't be calmed as quickly as just being picked up. I know bc my 4 month little one was. It's way dif. they are screaming out of pain and screeching...nothing helps. No amount of holding helps. Other than gas drops, swaddling, putting them on there back and moving there legs in a circular motion to get the gas to move through their little bodies. Even the way you hold the baby...it's a lot of work. When she came to me it only lasted a wk bc I used gas drops in her bottles and made sure there where the bottles where room temp. with no bubbles. The parents used Avent bottles which I love. Also, swaddling...totally helped me get her to sleep but she only would sleep for 45min at a time. She'd be with me from 9am til 2:30pm. Naps for me start at 9:30am to 10:15am then again at 1:30pm til 2:15pm. She's a diff. baby now...she isn't spitting up a lot either with is wonderful...I know if she is spitting up she isn't digesting her food well. I would need to burp her every once. Now I can burp her every 3 oz and she's burping right no cue for me. I know how hard it must be fore you. Just keep up the good work your already doing and maybe see if the parents can provide you with a baby bonjo or what those things are called or baby wrap to carry the baby in if he's more comfortable in that.

[nannyde]

belly time sistah

[Breezy]

Darn. I was hoping there was a different answer.

I should know better.

She co-sleeps. Even says she knows it is not recommended but that is what she does.

I figured as much. Majority of babies I see that have this issue co sleep too. Mothers swear by it and say it is the only way and that they can't believe people put their babies in their own rooms ever.

I know of lots of people (on my mommy forum) that are still co sleeping with their 2 year old.

Not trying to be judgmental, but if they have to put their child into daycare- they really need to attempt to make the transition easier for their child because they can't be held constantly!

[countrymom]

hmm, I wrote a post about this I think last week, same thing, so all I can do is let them cry. My children never did this so this was totally something new. But its taken about 2 months for the crying to go down to about 60percent.

[Cat Herder]

To get through the next two weeks you can try having Mom leave her nightshirt to lay little one on. Clip it securely to the mattress so there is no chance of getting it wrapped.

If she has a white noise machine or sleep sheep BEG her to leave it with you. I have had great success with the heartbeat setting.

[sharlan]

Baby has Mommy and Blackcat trained very well, very intelligent little thing.

Can you put him into a swing for short periods?

[Blackcat31]

Thanks ladies. I knew there would be some hard work and tears involved. I was just praying it would be from the baby and not from me.

I suggested to mom the nightgown or T-shirt from her so he would feel more comfy. Securely fastened down so he won't get entangled in it.

She also said he doesn't take a paci but will send it just in case he will take it for me.

I can't put him in the swing because I don't have one. (Babies under a year are not my thing.)

I did the tummy time and all he does is cry. Did it anyways.

I will also try the swaddle thing to see if he sleeps better tomorrow that way. The whole blanket in the bassinet thing makes me nervous.

I don't own a wrap thingy and neither does she....but she might just need to buy one.

I also don't let her bring the car seat/carrier in because of the whole positional asphyxiation thread....too scarey for me.

......oh and Cat, she said he loves white noise and actually has a sleep sheep (only his is a bear)! So that will be a for sure thing tomorrow!!!


I am just super grateful that this is temporary. It is also a nice reminder for those of you who do take these really little ones that YOU GALS ROCK!!!!! Much respect for you......and it has only been 4 days for me.

[Breezy]

Thanks ladies. I knew there would be some hard work and tears involved. I was just praying it would be from the baby and not from me.

I suggested to mom the nightgown or T-shirt from her so he would feel more comfy. Securely fastened down so he won't get entangled in it.

She also said he doesn't take a paci but will send it just in case he will take it for me.

I can't put him in the swing because I don't have one. (Babies under a year are not my thing.)

I did the tummy time and all he does is cry. Did it anyways.

I will also try the swaddle thing to see if he sleeps better tomorrow that way. The whole blanket in the bassinet thing makes me nervous.

I don't own a wrap thingy and neither does she....but she might just need to buy one.

I also don't let her bring the car seat/carrier in because of the whole positional asphyxiation thread....too scarey for me.

......oh and Cat, she said he loves white noise and actually has a sleep sheep (only his is a bear)! So that will be a for sure thing tomorrow!!!


I am just super grateful that this is temporary. It is also a nice reminder for those of you who do take these really little ones that YOU GALS ROCK!!!!! Much respect for you......and it has only been 4 days for me.

You can get an actual swaddle blankie thing that baby wears with velcro

[cheerfuldom]

can she bring a swing or bouncer option for you to use for the two weeks?

the whole point of co-sleeping is to have that extra strong attachment between parent and child. the downside is that it is very hard on a child when mom is not able to give that attachment. Right now this little one is happy with basically anyone holding them but eventually, they may just want mom period. The regular provider WILL have a challenge when AP style is offered at home but not at daycare.

[Cat Herder]

......oh and Cat, she said he loves white noise and actually has a sleep sheep (only his is a bear)! So that will be a for sure thing tomorrow!!!


I am just super grateful that this is temporary. It is also a nice reminder for those of you who do take these really little ones that YOU GALS ROCK!!!!! Much respect for you......and it has only been 4 days for me.

Oh, hun... I'd take a hundred infants to 3 pre-schoolers.

I "survive" their last few months here before they go to pre-school. Much respect for those that can do THAT day in and out....