Comments on: I. Am. Exhausted.

By: Capital Mom

Capital Mom — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:59:00 +0000

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!

By: Chrissy

Chrissy — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:56:00 +0000

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!

By: Sab

Sab — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:37:00 +0000

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?

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:16:00 +0000

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!

By: milk made baby

milk made baby — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:03:00 +0000

I recommend “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby” by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. Good Luck!

By: The Shopping Mama

The Shopping Mama — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:30:00 +0000

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!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:12:00 +0000

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

By: Ryan, Corrie, and Max

Ryan, Corrie, and Max — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:10:00 +0000

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.

By: tiny giraffe shop

tiny giraffe shop — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:49:00 +0000

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!!!

By: mom2ivy

mom2ivy — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:48:00 +0000

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!