Just based on this post? I don’t like Svetlana. She reminds me of the therapist I recently quit. Bad taste in mouth…

Ear plugs rule. Allowed me to hold the baby and otherwise take care of her without having my adrenaline whipped into a frenzy by that grating cry.

And — a compromise between AP and CIO — we used it for bedtime, but would work for breaks, too, I suppose. Put the baby in the crib or wherever he sleeps. Pat and say bye. Leave. If he cries, wait a few minutes — if he’s still crying, go back in, pat, reassure, say bye — don’t pick him up or stay long — and leave again. Repeat ad nauseum. For me it was the right balance of respect and compassion for her needs AND mine.

I really cannot express how much it has helped. I used lots of slings with Caius, but with the 2nd I needed something that I could put him on my back or even in the front where his legs would tuck away (unlike in the bjorn).

Now that Ced is rolling, I can put him on the floor and let him roll around for awhile, but sometimes he just wants to be held (yes, the shrieking!), but now I can hold him and have my hands free. Which has pretty much changed my life.

Hope you get more peas Catherine.

I don’t know if Svetlana said it to you directly, but it isn’t in the details that your child will find their mental health and lifelong wellbeing, it is in your underlying philosophy, your love, regard, and respect for them, and your willingness to take on big tasks like therapy so that your philosophy can have more room to work as you all grow.

As for the down=not always so peaceful, some babies are ‘up’ babies, and some are ‘down’ babies. Most are somewhere in between, and shift their opinion regularly. I like slings, backpacks (sometimes a sling is too close-in for myself or them), the Super Yard (fence off some safe space, move it where you want), and a baby entertainment mat, plus all the items you listed. Something from each column. You’ve already got several items in circulation – maybe consider a couple more options that incorporate some of the up-ness. My life freed up immensely with a backpack carrier, when I had an up-baby who hated slings. No screaming on those ‘do not put me down’ days, plus two hands free. Ahhhh. Peas!