Just when we thought we got baby sleeping like.... a baby... we've hit a glitch. Whenever we try to put baby to sleep, he keeps standing up in the cot. Not only that, but the lovely little story time we used to have before bed, which used to make baby nice and sleepy, is failing miserably. Instead, he's squirming out of our arms and running around all over the room. It's become a real struggle to get to sleep.
Here's what we're working on now:
1. Prepare the bedroom as usual (draw blinds etc)
- Close the door so baby can't escape the room
- Sit on the floor, and encourage baby to sit with you to read (but don't force it)
- Allow baby to wander around the room at will. If baby shows interest, and you feel like it, you can read their book out loud
2. After about 10 or 15 minutes of letting them tool around, tell baby it's now time for sleep and place baby lying down in the cot
- If you think it's appropriate, leave the room (if you've already trained them to go to sleep on their own) to give them a chance to self-settle. I let our one work up a grizzle for a minute or two before going back in - not a roaring cry - it's up to you
- Go back in and settle baby. Try not to pick baby up or talk to them much - just place them gently back down on their back
- Try offering a sip of water
3. Sit, stand or lie down next to the cot.
- Every time baby stands (or sits, depending on what you think is right) gently place baby lying down
- Lying down next to the cot seems to work quite well once baby is starting to get a bit tired. It's demonstrating to baby the behaviour you're trying to encourage. Close your eyes, and pretend (or actually) sleep. You might find holding baby's hand through the bars of the cot helps too
- If they're still getting up, sometimes it can calm them by holding baby down gently and patting their bum or the mattress
- After a few repetitions of placing baby down, I found that every time I went to lean over the cot to place him down, he'd automatically lie down himself
- Eventually (hopefully) baby gets the message and stays down
Good luck!
3.1.11
Why this blog?
I'm just an average mum. I don’t work in the childcare industry, nor do I have any prior experience or knowledge about babies.
However, I am an avid reader and Google-meister. I research everything, and like to have evidence-based information or to find something that matches my overall world-view.
When I had by baby 12 months ago, I found that there was no single resource that captured everything I needed to know. A couple of books and websites have a lot of useful information, others have smatterings of information that I’ve matched up to others. And most authors use lots of words to pad out their topics. What a waste of time reading!
So I thought I’d put together a few of my findings into this blog and see what emerges.
I’m also a strong advocate for preserving the environment for future generations. I’ve included as much information as I could find on raising a baby, in an environmentally friendly way, without spending a fortune or taking up any more time than necessary.
However, I am an avid reader and Google-meister. I research everything, and like to have evidence-based information or to find something that matches my overall world-view.
When I had by baby 12 months ago, I found that there was no single resource that captured everything I needed to know. A couple of books and websites have a lot of useful information, others have smatterings of information that I’ve matched up to others. And most authors use lots of words to pad out their topics. What a waste of time reading!
So I thought I’d put together a few of my findings into this blog and see what emerges.
I’m also a strong advocate for preserving the environment for future generations. I’ve included as much information as I could find on raising a baby, in an environmentally friendly way, without spending a fortune or taking up any more time than necessary.
Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression
The hormones in your body go AWOL in the first 3-4 days following birth. One psychiatrist described it to me as ‘the worst PMT you’ve ever had’. It’s bad. But I found the lowest of the low occurred at around 14 days: It’s different for everyone. The sleep deprivation, endless tears (from baby and you!), long nights, and the bizarre warping of time, is all really tough.
I have a history of depression, and was worried about getting post-natal depression. I had already discussed this with my GP and decided on an action plan. Before the birth I regularly met with a psychological counsellor and also attended the hospital’s out-patient clinic which had a program targeting women with pre and post-natal depression. This turned out to be a life saver for me.
A couple of weeks after giving birth my mood kept plummeting. I started having thoughts that life was too hard. I felt worthless, and didn’t want to keep living. This sent alarm bells off for me and my partner – this is not okay! I called the hospital’s outpatient clinic and went in straight away. The psychiatrist changed my medication and things improved very rapidly from there. I’m so glad I knew what symptoms to look out for and did something about it.
I know many mums who’ve had post-natal depression. One who got counselling therapy, one who needed hospitalising for five weeks (she was having panic attacks and obsessing about whether she might be harming her baby), and yet another who turned out to have a thyroid condition.
It’s not worth waiting for your bad mood to pass. If you’ve been feeling low for more than two weeks, or if you’re having thoughts about harming your baby or yourself, see your GP right away. They won’t take your baby away from you, they won’t force you to take medication, and you won’t be forced to go to hospital. You’ll be asked some questions, which are completely confidential between you and your GP. Your GP will discuss options on how to deal with the situation. If your GP recommends counselling this will be covered by Medicare for the first 6 or even 12 sessions, and they’ll be able to make recommendations on who to see. It’s all completely voluntary, and there is nothing wrong with taking precautions.
I’ve also had friends say that they thought their partners would help them more than they did. One said she kept telling her partner that she wasn’t coping, but the message just didn’t seem to get through (for me it felt like I was talking under water). Your partner genuinely wants to offer all the assistance they can. They don’t know what’s going on any more than you do, and they certainly don’t know what the right answers are. So when you say ‘I’m not coping’ they may offer platitudes or act dismissive, but inside they’re just as freaked out as you are.
Don’t expect your partner to come up with the answers or magically fix it all. Call your GP and, if you want to take your partner along for support, by all means do so. One web resource that may be useful is www.beyondblue.org.au
I have a history of depression, and was worried about getting post-natal depression. I had already discussed this with my GP and decided on an action plan. Before the birth I regularly met with a psychological counsellor and also attended the hospital’s out-patient clinic which had a program targeting women with pre and post-natal depression. This turned out to be a life saver for me.
A couple of weeks after giving birth my mood kept plummeting. I started having thoughts that life was too hard. I felt worthless, and didn’t want to keep living. This sent alarm bells off for me and my partner – this is not okay! I called the hospital’s outpatient clinic and went in straight away. The psychiatrist changed my medication and things improved very rapidly from there. I’m so glad I knew what symptoms to look out for and did something about it.
I know many mums who’ve had post-natal depression. One who got counselling therapy, one who needed hospitalising for five weeks (she was having panic attacks and obsessing about whether she might be harming her baby), and yet another who turned out to have a thyroid condition.
It’s not worth waiting for your bad mood to pass. If you’ve been feeling low for more than two weeks, or if you’re having thoughts about harming your baby or yourself, see your GP right away. They won’t take your baby away from you, they won’t force you to take medication, and you won’t be forced to go to hospital. You’ll be asked some questions, which are completely confidential between you and your GP. Your GP will discuss options on how to deal with the situation. If your GP recommends counselling this will be covered by Medicare for the first 6 or even 12 sessions, and they’ll be able to make recommendations on who to see. It’s all completely voluntary, and there is nothing wrong with taking precautions.
I’ve also had friends say that they thought their partners would help them more than they did. One said she kept telling her partner that she wasn’t coping, but the message just didn’t seem to get through (for me it felt like I was talking under water). Your partner genuinely wants to offer all the assistance they can. They don’t know what’s going on any more than you do, and they certainly don’t know what the right answers are. So when you say ‘I’m not coping’ they may offer platitudes or act dismissive, but inside they’re just as freaked out as you are.
Don’t expect your partner to come up with the answers or magically fix it all. Call your GP and, if you want to take your partner along for support, by all means do so. One web resource that may be useful is www.beyondblue.org.au
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