Ask The Doctor
ERGObaby carrier > Ask The Doctor > Sleep > Adoption Adjustment PeriodAdoption Adjustment Period
Dear Dr. Markel,
We adopted a wonderful 9 month baby girl from China in June and our adjustment period was very stressful. After a couple of months she was able to sleep through the night in her crib. For some reason there was a setback that started a few weeks ago. She now refuses to go to bed (both for a nap and at night)and she wakes up several times in the middle of the night crying. She did have an ear infection which was immediately treated but this behavior has not changed. As a result, she is cranky and whiny during the day. I would appreciate any feedback.
Thank you,
Sue
San Diego
Dear Sue from San Diego
You and your baby had a rough start, as you were unable to form the attachment bonds early. It is never too late, but you will need more patience than in a typical situation where the family is together from birth. If your baby did not have her needs responded to consistently and lovingly before you brought her from China, then she might not be feeling safe and secure. She might fear being abandoned because her situation changed so dramatically in the past. All that you can do from this point is to provide a nurturing environment where her calls for help are answered with love. It seems that she would be more content and she would feel safer if she were in bed with you. Also, I question whether or not she truly had an ear infection, and more to the point, if the so-called treatment for the infection might have disrupted her gastrointestinal tract enough to cause discomfort thus compounding her problems and intensifying her needs.
Susan Markel, M.D.
“peaceful parenting for a peaceful world”
-----
Dr. Susan Markel, MD, is a Board Certified Pediatrician, and Attachment Parenting Advisor. She is also the author of, "Ask The Doctor," in partnership with ERGObaby.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to visit her website at http://www.AttachmentParentingDoctor.com and request a private consultation.
