Sleep... I need sleeeeep!

Hi Mama5, sorry you are having a hard time at the moment. What is CIO?

It is normal for babies to cluster feed for a few hours at some stage of the day, and it generally is in the evening as you describe. At this time of day they tend to feed constantly, get quite grizzly, and not want to sleep.

I guess the best way to get through it is to know that it is normal, and there is nothing wrong with your baby. Make sure that she is having enough food, if she looks hungry she probably is, so keep offering her the breast throughout those few hours. Take it in turns with your husband walking her (even just around inside the house) and talking to her. You probably don't need to have the lights and voices down as this is her socialising time of the day.

Also I would really recommend for you to have a nap during the day when she does (if possible), so you can be awake and available for her during this time of the day. Also, it may not last forever, she may be going through a growth spurt which might be making her a bit more grumpier than usual?

I hope this helps. Let me know how you get on.

Thanks for your response. Moon glow, CIO = the cry it out method, leaving the baby to cry in the effort to teach them to self sooth. Some people swear by it but it wouldn't suit me. When a v baby is left to cry she experiences a surge of the stress hormone cortisol, and learns that her caregiver is not coming to her aid. Falling asleep at the end is just the body shutting down from too much stress rather than actual self soothing. Thanks for reminding me that this is normal and just a phase :)

Indigo, our routine probably is too inconsistent, we do most of the same activities pre-bed (bath, massage, story or cuddle, then feed to sleep ), but not always in that order and not always at the same time of day. Also my husband comes home from work at about 6 or 7 and, adorably, wants to play with her. This delights us all but is not relaxing, hehe.

DD gets about 11 hrs sleep at "night" (midnight to midday, with a couple of feeds), about one 3 hr nap in the mid afternoon and about 45-60 mins around 6pm.

I would like to shift the long night sleep to approx 8pm-7am, but not sure the best way . Perhaps getting her up earlier and doing some stimulating things in the morning... Or shortening the big 3 hour afternoon nap? Seems criminal to wake her ;)

Good tip re banana, I'll try Kumara instead!

Hey,
If it was me I'd cut the playtime in the evening and the 6pm sleep!! I wouldn't let her sleep after 5pm and put her down at 7... 7-7 suits babies so well and id try and schedule around that.. I think feeding to sleep generally leads to a lot of on going issues so if you can maybe try and sort this out, you could use a little cuddly toy that she might get attached to (put it down your top for a day and it will get your scent)..
If you're really atruggling you could look at a sleep consultant.. and lastly if avoid any processed foods or custards or sachet food for dinners!
Just my two cents!
And I dunno about cio method but research can lean in many different directions, my friends did that wiht their kids and they are two of the nicest well behaved, happy and smart little kids I know.. Go figure!