Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

A few of you helped me a few days ago with establishing a routine for DD to put her to bed...it's been working out great!

Now, here's the latest problem that's been happening just this week.

DD goes down around 7-ish, wakes up again to eat between 11 and 12, then wakes up once more in the middle of the night to eat again (anywhere around 2-4).

When I feed her and try to put her down again, she screams when I put her in the crib. I mean, screams. I've tried everything...the 5 S's, rocking, just leaving her in the crib and softly talking to her and stroking her head.

Last night, she was awake for so long, screaming and crying after I put her down. I fed her, changed her, burped her...nothing. Eventually, I let her cry herself to sleep because I ran out of things to try. I know she is too young to CIO, but I am out of options.

She has also been waking up when she isn't due to eat and hasn't broken out of the swaddle...

Any advice for me? DH and I were at a loss in the middle of the night for things to try. All 3 of us were exhausted.

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

My advice, accept that for the next few months not everything the baby does will make sense. At that age I would hold her until you get her to calm down. The only reason to leave her to cry herself to sleep is if you are truly at the end of your rope.

Do you have a swing you can try at those times? Sometimes the sound of running water from the faucet would distract my baby when she was mad. Or taking her outside.

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

Thank you so much for responding. Her swing is downstairs...should I take her out of her room? It's the Papasan swing...I am wondering if I should try putting it in her bedroom?

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

I would absolutely take her out of her room if you are having no luck in her room. You can also bring it up, but the change of scenary can also sometimes get an angry baby to calm down. For the next few months its still just about surviving!

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

I would in no way put her into her swing.... You are creating a new demon by doing that IMHO.

I would just wait it out, and continue putting her into her crib until she realizes that that is her bed. She will get it soon enough, and everything (nighttime routine) will come together... Promise!

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

I agree with both above posters on different things.....

1) sometimes a baby just cries and there isnt much you can do. A lot of it, is its just a phase and they will outgrow it.

2) I wouldnt start the swing either bc you are creating another monster and a habit youll just have to break out of too.

DS was one where he would sleep in your arms and the second you put him down scream bloody murder. I would out him down asleep but not let go. I would literally keep him cradled in my arms and close to me as a lowered him and bend all the way into his crib like that and stay snug around him until I was sure he was down and out. Then I would slowly let go.

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

We haven't had the break the habit yet, but I don't see the big deal in putting her in the swing. IMO, you need to do whatever it takes to get some sleep. We put DS in the swing in the middle of the night and he sleeps longer in there than anywhere else. It also gives us a chance to get some rest. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...

I used to put DS in the bouncy chair with the vibrator just to calm him down, or would put on soothing music and rock him. In our case, it didn't start another bad habit. I didn't let him sleep in the bouncy seat, just left him in it long enough to calm down. Then, I would take him out and try to get him back to sleep in the crib. Sometimes it worked. A few times it didn't and I had to rock him. A few times I slept on the couch with him on my chest. None of these things created problems, once the issue was gone (teething, a flare up of his eczema, etc.) he went back to sleeping through the night.

Is she eating enough? My DS would start waking in the middle of the night when it was time to up the amount of formula at each feeding.

Re: Please help...12 weeks and screaming in the middle of the night...