Need Advice With New Baby

[sharlan]

Here's the background........
baby is 4 1/2 mos
breast fed on demand with Mom attempting 2 bottles a day
doesn't take a pacifier
single parent
child never left with anyone before yesterday
no schedule

Yesterday she screamed for 1 hr 15 mins before falling asleep while being rocked. She was only here for 4 hrs and mom was here for about 2 .

She's been screaming off and on since 8:45. I rocked her to sleep, but she ony slept for 5 mins before waking up.

I know it's going to be a rocky start for both of us and right now I have an easy load - she's the only one here until 12:30 today.

[nannyde]

Sounds like she is being cared for by holding and movement. Does she do swinging at home? Is she sleeping in a swing at home?

I love to rock babies but I don't rock them to sleep or during feedings. I rock them when they are WIDE awake. If they fall asleep when rocking I lay them down. I always put babies to bed wide awake. I don't do anything to lull them into sleep.

She may need to make friends with gravity. Close supervised belly time. Find out what her normal routine is at home.

I see you are in California so your options are your arms, her sleeping equipment, or the floor. If she's used to motion cosulation then the only way she can get that is to be in your arms.

It could be a tough transition.

[sharlan]

I know we're going to have a rocky start. Fortunately I have a light load for the next few weeks.

She really doesn't have a routine at home. Mom nurses, she falls asleep for about 1/2 hour, doesn't sleep a lot during the day.

[cheerfuldom]

Sounds like mom is comfort nursing a lot and problem holding all day. Nothing wrong with that necessarily but its clearly not going to work at daycare. Figure out what your schedule is with the other kids and put this little one on a schedule that works for you. this way you can plan on windows of time when you know you will have time for bottle feedings. Its going to be shaky for bit, probably lots of crying, but she will come around. Also, I use swaddling and white noise for naps. I dont go and get them if they start crying and want to get up early....let them cry for a bit and see if they can go back to sleep on their own.

[sharlan]

At 20 lbs (BIG baby), my arms and back are feeling it.

I just spoke to Mom, she sleeps in her crib during the day, but only catnaps.

I want to get her on a schedule, starting on Monday.

Mom is more than willing to work with me.

[sharlan]

I don't have a white noise machine.

I do have a ceiling fan in the room she will sleep in and a cd player. I'm going to locate some of my lullaby cds and try playing them for her.

I've never had a screamer before, so this is going to be a learning curve for both of us.

[nannyde]

At 20 lbs (BIG baby), my arms and back are feeling it.

I just spoke to Mom, she sleeps in her crib during the day, but only catnaps.

I want to get her on a schedule, starting on Monday.

Mom is more than willing to work with me.

That's a biggin

I don't do swaddling but I do use mitted sleep sacks. A lot of babies I have cared for do really well if they have their hands covered. You might want to try that.

She's of the age where you could start working her thru the catnaps. It will take a bit but catnapping is something I try to work on around this age. She's weighty enough to go a good period without eating so she should be able to do a good morning nap of 1.5 hours and a 2.5 hour nap in the afternoon after she has had some adjustment time with you. If she's there past five she should have another late afternoon nap.

[cheerfuldom]

yes that is a big baby....probably confirms that mom is nursing and feeding a lot for comfort.

[sharlan]

She'll be here until 5.

I got her to take a full 4 ounce bottle after her 30 min nap. YEAH!

She laid on her tummy for the longest time watching B play. She fell asleep so I moved her to the pack and play. She's fussing a bit, but not screaming. Fell back to sleep.

[MyAngels]

I don't have a white noise machine.

I do have a ceiling fan in the room she will sleep in and a cd player. I'm going to locate some of my lullaby cds and try playing them for her.

I've never had a screamer before, so this is going to be a learning curve for both of us.

I have an mp3 of a hairdryer that I use for white noise. I just put it on repeat - it does a great job of blocking the noise in the house without being too overpowering (I have a small house). PM me if you want me to e-mail it to you.

I've also been using the scent of lavender for awhile now and it seems to be really soothing to the littlest ones.

[Breezy]

I do a box fan on high pointed at the wall for my DS and DCKs. Works wonders! I swaddle the littles here until they can roll over and it seems to keep them calm. Is does sound like mom is being used as a pacifier for him. And he is a little porker! My DS is 24 pounds and hes 13 months