Reddit mentions of Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby

We followed a lot of the advice in this book called Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. You can probably find it at the library to see what you think about it before buying but it is $8 well spent in my mind.

It talks a lot about ways to create the schedule patterns (Eat - Play - Sleep - You) that your kid will follow instead of constantly feeling like you are trying to figure out what the baby thinks it needs. They get used to the pattern quickly and buy into it. Those patterns lead to a better understanding of when they should be playing and when they are about to get put to bed.

It is only anecdotal but our twins slept through the night (10+ hours) between 10-11 weeks, as did their younger sister. So it definitely worked for us. A friend of mine was having trouble with her daughter and I gave her my copy of the book and it worked for her, too.

Another big tip for the middle of the night feedings (which is probably in the book), be the most boring person ever at night. I used to pray there was no poop or pee on the sheets, walk in, change diaper, feed bottle, swaddle, walk out and not say a word or make eye contact or turn on any lights. During the day was very different.

And remember, the sleep deprivation sucks but you are not alone in it. My wife and I each woke up for every night feeding of the twins. I handled all of the ones for the youngest. I was so tired on some days that I would cry in the shower because I was sure it would never end. Now, I just wish they had as much interest in learning math as solving levels of video games.

It sounds like your son needs to learn to self-soothe. We pretty much followed this book with our son. (Ignore the title, it's not all... frou frou like it sounds.) The biggest tip she gave was recommending against nursing to sleep most of the time. It's a super easy thing to do, but the problem with that is... then your kid only knows how to go to sleep when knocked out by breastmilk. Which means when he/she wakes up at night, he/she doesn't really understand how to calm back down and go to sleep - even if he or she isn't super hungry.

The book recommends starting each wake period with a feed, and rocking/swaddling etc. a kid to sleep... but not all the way. Put them in their crib when they are drowsy but not quite out. That way they can finish off falling asleep by themselves. Hopefully, then, when they wake up at night, they know what to do if they are still happy/comfy.

Something else you can do is, in the morning, try to stretch out the times between his feeds a little to get him to take more at a feed. It doesn't have to be a big stretch - say when he starts acting hungry, try distracting him for 10-15. Then, at night, cluster his feeds closer together to "tank him up" for the night. So if he usually eats every 2 hours, try to do every 2.5 in the morning, then maybe every 1-1.5 for the last 2 or three feeds of the night.

Congratulations!!!!! I read Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives by Deepak Chopra. It's a good book on pregnancy and offers some good tips on relaxation, nutrition, etc. It's kind of a holistic, eastern meets western philosophy book. I really enjoyed this because it treats your pregnancy as a beautiful journey.

For babies, I have read [Secrets of the Baby Whisperer] (http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Baby-Whisperer-Connect-Communicate/dp/0345479092/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374606157&sr=1-2&keywords=baby+whisperer) and Happiest Baby on the Block. Both came highly recommended by other moms.

PPD more generally shows up after 6 months or so. It can hugely vary. You’re under IMMENSE strain, it would be more odd if you weren’t batshit crazy! I was and I only had one. I called it The Dark Days and for good reason. Please go see your doctor and the new therapist. Think of it as self care. You cannot give from an empty cup.

I also suggest routine - I used Baby Whisperer (https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Baby-Whisperer-Connect-Communicate/dp/0345479092) and the EASY routine (roughly, you have to have some flex). I have 2 wonderful sleepers because I was like a rabid monster over their sleep routines 😂

Try to get out. Local play groups, mummy groups, baby classes (music, sign, baby yoga, anything). You need adult company and I guarantee other mums will automatically hold one baby while you feed the other. Mummies just mother all babies. I still can’t hear a newborn cry without getting anxious and my kids are 12 & 6.

I also agree with the poster who said the babies may be hungry. Are they teething? My daughter cut her first tooth at 14 weeks. My son had silent reflux that caused him to cry endlessly. There could be something going on or nothing going on but for sure you deserve some support and help. Reach out. You’re not alone.