This is a big problem and it can happen to any and every parent no matter what parenting style you are using.

This is what happened to me when Ara was about 6 months old. I started to use a Cry-it-out book in the hope that I would get more sleep but this did not work and I became more stressed out and detached from both David and Ara.

Once I came through this I’ve begun to realise that there was a good side of this experience – I became more educated in needs of both my baby, David and myself.

For me rather than spend more time away from Ara I spent more time with….eh? Yes I spent more time with Ara in the sling holding her and talking to her and sleeping/relaxing beside her when she was asleep.
I took time out!
In doing this she began to give me more time to myself, by sleeping longer and needing me less. Odd that may sound but it really does work.

The Sears have many tips in their books especially the Fussy Baby book that we love.

I have also started using a site called Meditainment to help me not only with burnout but many other things as well. They are often short story like, relaxation help…MP3’s which when you’ve only got a few minutes of nap time before your at it again really help to unwind and give an extra boost.

What took me ages to come to terms with was my house work and friends were not going to go away just because I was over tired. I really needed to just take the time for myself and my baby as we are both really important.