Essential Toolkit for Fussy Babies

In my house, we get sleep when we can. With two rambunctious little boys and a newborn, I’m one worn out momma.

Unfortunately, my baby has not developed a regular sleep pattern yet. We’ve tried everything from having him sleep inclined, various acid reflux medicines, I’ve cut out all dairy for his milk allergy, he’s on special formula when we supplement. We swaddle, we rock, we cuddle, we sing, we bounce like maniacs. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

When it does work, it’s go time. When he sleeps during the day, we quickly tuck him into his nursery away from the mayhem created by his maniacal brothers in order to maximize his nap time and get stuff done. At night (even if it’s 8 o’clock at night), we call it quits for the day. Pajamas and bed, in order to get as much sleep as possible before he wakes up in mere hours hungry or fussy.

It’s a hard knock life.

There are a few products that I’ve found that have helped us – with soothing the baby and soothing our nerves as parents. So without further ado, here’s my Fussy Babies Toolkit:

– The SwaddleMe infant swaddles and Aden and Anais muslin blankets: We use the double-swaddle method – First wrap him up like a burrito in the muslin blanket, the secure it with the SwaddleMe blanket. This has become our cue to him that it’s bedtime.

– The SnuggaMonkey Infant Rocker: With acid reflux, he often gets fussy when we try to lay him flat on his back, so this is where he often sleeps at night. The incline helps with his condition, and the rocking movement and vibrations help soothe him to sleep.

– The Motorola Baby Monitor: This is our first experience with a video monitor. Let me tell you, I am impressed. The Motorola Video Baby Monitor, available at Buy Buy Baby, helps me rest at night (and worry less during James’ day-time naps). From the handheld parental unit, I can remote pan, tilt and zoom, monitor the temperature of his room (helpful as the nights are getting colder), and even see him clearly in the dark with infrared night vision.

I know when his brothers sneak into his room to “hug” him (a.k.a. play in his room and wake him up much to my dismay). It also plays 5 lullabies and allows for two-way communication. So far, I’ve been able to get a few precious extra moments of sleep with a “Momma’s here, mommy loves you” whispered into the monitor. I anticipate future communications of “Mommy sees you trying to get out of your crib!” And a, “Don’t you dare try to climb up on your dresser!”