Arching the back–reflux or OT?

[Anonymous]

The OT thing is big right now I think. I had been concerned these past couple of weeks because she really seemed less alert than I thought she should be. Of course, having a twin brother who’s as wide-eyed and chipper as can be doesn’t help matters. It’s hard not to compare. Then yesterday I realised that it was very likely just that she’s so darn tired most of the time!

She only seems to sleep for 45 minutes max at a time. And then it’s about three hours in between, though I’m starting to work dilegently on that area.

We haven’t had her scoped, but are trying to get an appointment made. Now that the milk allergy is dealt with, and I think meds for reflux are at least helping–the OT thing is something to tackle. But I have some huge problems I’m facing!

The main one: while I’m shh/patting, how do I determine when she’s arching her back if it’s reflux breaking through from crying? (This is the main reason why I still want to scope her, so know what I”m dealing with.)

Also, if it was reflux that was causing her to cry when I lay her down, would she immediately STOP when I picked her up, and immediately START when I put (or start to put) her down? I wouldn’t think so!! So that would be an encouraging thing that what I’m dealing with is conditioning and not a physical pain. But yet, is it possible that she is conditioned to know that even if it doesn’t immediately hurt, it WILL hurt from being laid down?

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Sorry it’s so hard to figure out. I wish I had more advice to offer. I do have a question: are you putting her down awake or asleep?

[Anonymous]

Usually awake. And at this point, usually on her tummy.

Just bought the Angelcare monitor and am trying to get it set up. But as I write she’s asleep on her tummy in the pack n play. And I’m checking in literally every 10 minutes!

What’s odd is that she sleeps on her back just fine at night, from about 10:30 pm until 7 am (with one feeding at 3am.) I’ve heard reflux is worse at night!

[Anonymous]

Ben always slept better at night too. For us, I think it’s because he wouldn’t sleep during the day and was so exhausted that he just crashed at night!

I was also able to get him to fall asleep by himself in the crib at night, but he would NEVER do this for naps during the day. He STILL won’t!

[hellbennt]

yes, jonah was also better at night than in the day. he was Sir No Nap…ugh!

sorry, but what’s OT?

how about a swing for a nap? anything for sleep…

[Anonymous]

OT is overtired. That visious cycle that makes a baby always tired, then resisting sleep, then crying even harder when you try to get her to sleep, then sleeping only for a short period of time. OT!

She used to sleep in the swing but the past month or so, no go.

Just got Angelcare monitor today!! What do you know about it? It seems strange that it really does work even buried under the mattress. I followed the directions explicitly. She sleeps on her tummy during the day, almost without fussing. So after being paranoid out of our minds for a month, we “splurged” and bought the Angelcare monitor.

And tonight, my babies are now in their own bedrooms. Not how I had hoped it would be but one wakes the other when they cry. Maybe they can move into the same room again in a few months when/IF napping has become more routine.

[Anonymous]

How are you getting Ben to sleep during the day? I want to be prepared!

[Anonymous]

It’s a routine thing, just like at bedtime. Read a book, turn out the light, rock and sing. I hold him and sway back and forth, and he is usually out within a few minutes.. but if I try to put him down too early, he stands up and works himself up hysterically.

REally, at this point, I just need to tough it out and do some sleep training, but it’s so hard to when I’m able to get him to sleep in about 5 minutes vs. those early days when I would walking, shushing, patting for up to an hour!!!

[Anonymous]

So are you a Baby Whisperer method-ee? I am probably 75% BW method. But there are some “fuss it out” moments (not all out Cry it Out).

[Author]

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