Crying Baby

[godrulz19]

I have 5 children total in my care. 4 months, 5 months, 14 months, and two 32 month olds. I have had the 4 month old since the beginning of December and she cries literally, from the time she comes to me until her mom comes to pick her up. It's becoming more difficult for me to care for her. She is fed and changed. She does not sleep due to the crying. She is breastfed, and I know she misses mommy, but she's just not adjusting well at all. We go to church with this family and I don't really want to tell them I can't care for their baby. They paid a holding fee for 2 months so I would hold their baby's spot.
The baby is only happy when I am holding her. I Moby Wrap her as much as I can, but I have 4 other kids that need my attention.
I do have a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught children that have autism for the last 5 years. Before that, I worked in daycare settings for 8 years--through high school and college. I wanted to stay home with my son so this was a great solution. As it turns out, with this baby, it is becoming more difficult by the day.
Ideas? Suggestions? Help!!!

Thanks so much!!!

[Angelsj]

Four months is a hard age, and having a 4 and 5 month old...ugh!

I would just wrap as much as possible, and sometimes, she just might have to cry. I am not a fan of cry it out but you do have other kids, just like any mom of multiples or older kiddos. You might just have to put her in a safe place for a bit and walk away. Are you allowed to swaddle? Maybe she needs that to sleep.
I use a combination of bouncy chair, swing, tummy time... anything you can use that will entertain her for 5-10 mins. Keep rotating, breathe and try to tell yourself this is short term. Generally around 6-8 months, they begin to crawl/sit and are more able to entertain themselves.
Hugs

[cheerfuldom]

you need to get her to sleep. i do swaddling in a darkened room with white noise. she should be sleeping for most of the day so if she is not napping for you at all, that is the problem. she is hugely over stimulated.

[Heidi]

you need to get her to sleep. i do swaddling in a darkened room with white noise. she should be sleeping for most of the day so if she is not napping for you at all, that is the problem. she is hugely over stimulated.

I agree!

If you don't want to terminate, then you should have an honest conversation about the fact that she is crying a lot and not sleeping.

First question...how do they sleep at home? If they are co-sleeping, driving here around or rocking her, letting her sleep in a carseat, etc, then you will at least have a clue.

At this point, I think you need to use a modified CIO method. As PP said, white noise, dark room. Give her cuddles and a short song, and then lay her down. If she cries for more than 7 or 8 minutes, go in to soothe her (but dont pick her up), gently pat, soft words, then leave again. Next time, wait an extra minute. Once she has slept, and wakes, don't pick her up right away. Talk to her a little first. See if you can get her to stop crying with words and touch instead of picking her right up. You're trying to give her the message that bed is a nice, cozy place, not a horrible punishment for being alive.

If she starts sleeping and then she STILL cries constantly, she may need to be checked for acid reflux or other discomforts.