Diary Entry 4 💔
July 9, 2025: Posting again because last night was rough… She sleeps in her own crib and when we put her down, she usually soothes herself to sleep. She doesn’t cry or scream like she used to when we first started. But last night was something else.
We did our normal routine and she started crying in the tub. She loves bath time! I had to cut bath time short because I want her to enjoy it and not forced to do it. I started to dry her off and she would start crying and flailing her arms. I had to give her everything in arms reach to distract her so I can get her dressed.
I let her play a bit more in the living room. Just with her books so she can settle down a bit. She finally crawled to me and started rubbing her eyes and make her “muhmuhmuh” noise (Usually means she wants her bottle). I began everything to get her ready for bed. I fed her as normal, rocked her a bit, said our prayers and put her in her crib. Everything was normal…until 5 minutes into me leaving the room. She started wailing. Screaming. I put on some white noise through her camera and she was just rolling everywhere and standing up.
After 5 minutes, I went in there and laid her back down and comforted her. “Shh shh shh” she was sniffling and trying to self sooth. I told her I loved her and walked out of the room again. Nope. She immediately started wailing again. This went on for 30 minutes. (I went back in every 5 minutes to comfort her)
She finally fell asleep and I began to cry in bed. What is happening? #postpartumdiary #depressedmoms
The challenges described in this postpartum diary entry highlight common difficulties many new mothers face when trying to establish sleep routines for their infants. It’s important to understand that infant sleep patterns often fluctuate, and episodes of prolonged crying or waking can be part of normal development or signals of distress. White noise is a proven soothing aid that mimics the comforting sounds heard in the womb, often helping babies settle more easily. Using white noise combined with consistent bedtime routines—such as feeding, rocking, and gentle prayers—can foster a comforting sleep environment. Infants also develop self-soothing behaviors gradually. Initially, they may rely on parental comfort, but with patience and consistency, they begin to settle themselves. The mother’s approach to intermittently comforting the baby every five minutes aligns with graduated extinction or controlled comforting techniques, which can help babies learn to self-soothe while providing timely reassurance. The mother's emotional response, including feelings of helplessness and crying in bed, reflects the stress associated with postpartum adjustment and infant care. Such emotions can be part of postpartum mood disorders, emphasizing the importance of self-care and seeking support if feelings of depression or anxiety persist. Connecting with communities like #postpartumdiary and #depressedmoms offers invaluable emotional support and shared experiences. Additionally, ensuring that bath time remains a positive experience, as the mother did by shortening it when the baby became upset, helps maintain a sense of safety and routine for the infant. Allowing some independent playtime before bed with familiar objects like books can also soothe and prepare babies for sleep. Overall, this diary captures the complexity of early motherhood, the ebb and flow of infant behavior, and the resilience needed to navigate the postpartum period. Understanding infant sleep development, maintaining consistent soothing routines, and acknowledging one’s mental health needs are crucial components for new mothers managing infant sleep struggles.
If she’s teething I recommend these baby drops usually at target I’m sure they can be found anywhere !