This time, 13 years ago, I was struggling to deal with my baby who seemed different to all of the others. Every time I put her down she would scream until I thought she would choke. She seemed to stay awake for hours on end. And she was so difficult to settle. It felt as though our happy moments together were so shortlived, and I began to hate my new role as a parent.  All I wanted to do was hold my new baby, cuddle her and play with her. Like any new parent, I couldn't wait for her to wake up in those early days. By week 8 I was begging my newborn for just one good hour of sleep. For both of us!

My Mum and my Grandmother left in tears one day when even they couldn't settle my baby. This is when I picked up the phone and made an appointment with my GP. My GP made  me an appointment to stay at Karitane and I learned some valuable advice. It seems so simple, but nobody ever told me about it. And nobody ever explained that it was the one thing that makes the difference between happy baby and nightmare baby.

Tired Signs.

Basically, your baby cannot communicate in words, and so she is designed to use body language (and crying) to convey her needs and wants to you. She will smile, babble and look content when she is well rested. But when she is tired she may display these behaviours:

• Clenched fists
• Jerking movements of the arms, legs or head
• Rubbing eyes
• Scratching eyes or face
• Grimacing, Yawning
• Crying or grizzling

If she is displaying any of these tired signs, this is your cue as the person she depends on to take action. Wrap her up, calm her and get her into a regular settling pattern. It may take some time to notice these signs, and to get them under control. Tired sings may appear any time after waking, feeding and playing. This varies from baby to baby. But you will eventually get to know her rhythm, and respond accordingly.

Missing tired signs usually results in an overtired, over stimulated baby who is difficult to settle. Once you get a handle on tired signs, it will change your life. Believe me! This knowledge was the only thing that made me feel confident enough to have three more children!

For more information, visit www.karitane.com.au or for in home assistance, please visit www.sydneybubs.com.au