I have an 8 mo old who will not sleep in crib. she did till about a mo ago, now just screams till she sweats

Question

I breastfeed & she is using me as a paci. I don't mind so much at night but I have 3 other children, ages 6, 4, & 2 1/2 that need me in the daytime. I need to be able to put her in her crib and move on. I tried what worked w/ my oldest, putting her in crib, checking on her every few minutes, but she just works herself up till she's sweating & shaking. I can't stand to see that. The shoulda coulda woulda won't help me now. I need help on getting her back into the crib, not "you should never have started this" like my husband likes to say. thanks!

Answer 1

Oh does this bring back memories.  My daughter that is 20 was just like that.  Only I laid down with her on my bed with her on her blanket till she went to sleep then carry her into her crib in her blanket sling.  That lasted till she was 1 1/2 and we moved and she was into a big bed.  I had to hold her down for her to go to sleep.  I finally weaned her off that by telling her I had to take out my contacts or do the dishes and would be back in when I'm done.  She was always asleep.  She was then 3 years old.  I had another daughter 4 years older than her and she was more independent.

I guess this probably won't help you much.  Sometimes a certain child will just need you more that the others did.  

Maybe you could use that as rest time for the other kids too.  Or you could try  breast feeding only at night when you have time.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear you are having so much trouble with your little girl. I would try to reduce the amount of nursing you do at night. Try to get into a routine (if you don't already have one). I know it can be difficult. I went through almost the same thing with my little girl. I would also try to keep doing what your doing during the day. Lay her down when she's really tired maybe turn on some soft music and give her a special blanket to hold.

Good Luck!