And, no, I’m not exhausted because of the Giveaway Bash. That’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it because it’s been such a success so far. I hope you’re all enjoying it.
Anyway, I am utterly exhausted because my dear little 5 month old daughter is putting me through the wringer at night. “She’s not sleeping through the night?” you might ask. Um, that would be a big ol’ hell to the no. She isn’t sleeping through 4 hours at this point. Seriously. It’s awful. And it’s gotten noticeably worse the past couple weeks.
Take last night, for example. I put her down to sleep at 7:30. She woke up at 8:45! Screaming! So I gave in and nursed her; she ate and went back to bed. Until 11:15! She woke again at 1:30 and 6:30 and was up for the day at 7:30. Isn’t that ridiculous? (Sadly, that was a good night because she slept for a 5 hour stretch.) And, yes, I totally get up out of bed and nurse her every time she cries for a few minutes.
I think it’s time to put my foot down and use a little tough love and not go to her and nurse her every time she cries. That is so hard to do, but I just can’t keep up with this pattern.
I feel like I’m doing everything I’m supposed to but it’s not helping her nighttime sleep.
* She is out a fairly consistent nap and bedtime schedule and routine.
* I put her down in her crib when she’s still awake.
* She’s over 15 pounds and chubby and generally a happy baby.
* She is out a fairly consistent nap and bedtime schedule and routine.
* I put her down in her crib when she’s still awake.
* She’s over 15 pounds and chubby and generally a happy baby.
What would you do? Do you think starting solids will help? Should I allow her to cry it out since I know she’s capable of putting herself to sleep? Help!
I know where you are coming from. I have 3 month old twins and I cannot keep going the way it has. My DH takes one baby and I take the other and we are both exhausted. I just bought the No Cry Sleep solution book and hope that it helps.
Twins? Ah. Good luck to you!
I read the No Cry Sleep Solution with my son. Sadly, sleep issues are not new to me! Anyway, I really liked the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. In fact, I should go dig that out and see what is says.
I hope it gets better and you get some sleep!
I’m one of those who lets them cry it out by the time they are 3 months and 12 lbs, especially when my third child came around. My pediatrician gives her approval because sleep is so important for you, Mama! It is hard at first but after three or four nights, the babies get the hint.
Do not let her cry it out!! That is absolutely wrong and cruel. You need to get her on a routine and read Sleepless in America and The No Cry Sleep Solution. I know, I know, when do you have time to read? My daughter was waking up every hour but now she sleeps about 4-5 hrs at a stretch so she wakes up 2x per night (she is 11 mths old and her tummy is growling when I go in to feed her). I also slept with her until she was 8 mths old – makes it so much easier on a sleep deprived Mom if you don’t have to get out of bed! I wouldn’t recommend feeding her solids yet unless all the other signs are there (http://kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/index.html).Solids did not help my daughter sleep longer. The biggest help for us was the routine and making sure she naps long enough (sleep begets sleep), watching her sleepy signs and getting her down before she is overtired and my husband would go in if she woke up prior to 4 hours (when she sees Mom she wants milk). Good luck! You can do this without giving in to CIO!
sadly, my vote is letting her cry it out. or, have you thought about giving her a little water when she wakes up instead of nursing? that’s what my dr says to do…they won’t be as satisfied and then won’t wake up as much. of course, we have advice, but do what you are comfortable with!!!
I don’t know what to tell you, hun. I have an 11 month old, and right now she’s waking up twice every night. For a while she would actually sleep a straight 8 hours. No more.
For my DD, I can’t do CIO. I honestly don’t agree with it 100%, however, I do know that every child is different, and every parent is different. I guess I would recommend trying EVERYTHING else first, and try each of those things for several days, not just once or twice. Once all those are exhausted, then move to CIO.
I do know how easy it is to cave and just feed her, as it is faster that way… sigh.
Oh, this sounds just terrible! I don’t have any magical cure but with both of my girls we did the Ferber method of letting them cry it out and going in to comfort them every few minutes. My youngest is now 10 months old and a good sleeper (11-12 hours a night without waking).
She started sleeping through the night at about 3 months after one night of tears (on both our parts!). When she is sick or teething, it is more difficult because I do nurse her when she wakes up. It’s easier each time though to get her back into the routine of sleeping through the night again.
I am so sorry that you’re exhausted! We all know how difficult it is. I hope you find what works for your family and she settles into a routine soon!
Jana
She won’t take a bottle (another little situation we’re trying to conquer!) so giving her water at night isn’t an option. But, maybe I can just comfort her a bit and put her back to bed without nursing her. I’ll try that for a few nights.
I just know it’s going to be hard because she might be upset and cry and I know I can stop her crying with one simple boob!
I thought CIO was awful, too, until we dealt with my son’s sleep issues. With him I just reached a breaking point where I couldn’t do it any more and I let him cry at night at 9 months old and 3 nights later he slept through the night. And that was it. He’s been a great sleeper since.
I guess I haven’t reached that “breaking point” and I think she still needs a night feeding or two. And, honestly, only 2 at this point sounds really good!
Thanks for letting me ramble and vent! Thanks, too, for your support and advice!
I recommend “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby” by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. Good Luck!
We let our daughter CIO at about 4 months or so. It took 3 nights or so, but life got so much easier for all of us after that!
My son is 2 months old and has his “off” nights, but nothing like what you’re going through. Good luck!
Have you ever read the book Babywise by Ezzo and Buckham? I recieved the book from a friend who started using it when their boy was 4-5 months and it helped change his sleep issues tremendously. My lil girl was collic and we haven’t had any issues with her sleeping through the night. Once I moved her to her own room at 3 months, she only woke once a night (fed at 9-10, then again at 5 usually, then again at 9). I let her cry a little, sometimes they aren’t really awake and we think we have to go to them so quickly, when really they are still half asleep and making a bit of noise. Also, around 5 months is when our lil one went through a growth spurt and I had to go in twice/night and actually feed her. She’s 7 months and sleeping 11 hours a night now!
I recommend getting the book if you can. I know it really helped me. Maybe look at a library?
Seriously?? THis is my life story at this moment! Except my dear one is 6 months old, and STILL screaming all the time. AHH. I am going crazy. This is my 4th baby,and one would THINK I had this sleep stuff down by now, but my theory is that my stamina has dwindled to nothing beacause of the other 3, and now, little girl gets nursed every time she makes a peep. Sometimes I feel like I am only good for milk! I will pray yours starts sleeping!
I blame most bad sleep nights on teething. My dentist said that teething is supposed to be as painful for babies as labour was for us. That sure puts it in perspective! I tried the homeopathic route, but I find drugs are best. There is a big difference in my son’s sleep once he gets a tooth in, until the next one starts to come through.
With my daughter I stopped nursing at night at 10 months and she would get her dad if she got up. Lots of unhappiness the first night but I felt okay because she was still with her dad. After a couple of nights she decided he wasn’t worth getting up for!
Good luck!