Will I Ever Sleep Again?

It's really hard to figure out sleep issues without knowing all the background it seems, both my sons didn't sleep thru the night until 18 months but how does he go to sleep? Is he able to soothe himself to sleep or does he require your presence or other props like holding, nursing, etc? You don't have to answer back, just something that was an issue for me so food for thought! I finally had to let my son figure it out himself gradually by leaving him alone for short periods at a time then he was fine. How long has he been waking up? Also I've heard keep it really boring when he does wake up....anyway you probably know all this already! Maybe someone else will have some other insights too - good luck, I remember that time it was hard. Oh yeah I used to give my kids a bedtime snack right before bed like the other mom, with something heavy, usually yogurt or cereal w/a lot of fiber to fill them up before bed....good luck

From my little experience it sounds like your little sleeper has just gotton overtired and is having a hard time sleeping soundly. When any of us get overtired there is actually a chemical that realeses into our bodies that make it harder to go to sleep. (I'm sure you've experienced it a time or two). This was a human servival tihng from whay back when. I read a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child" and this explains it. I went by the book to this guys suggestions and my 18 month old has been a great sleeper always (I know part of that is just sheer luck too). The only time he is not a good sleeper is when we stray from the book. I would try putting him to bed much earlier at like 6:00 or 6:30 for a few days and see if that helps (he should still sleep until 7:00am). Give it a few days trying regularly before juding if it works or not. Make sure you do some sort of ritual that is the same before bed like a bath or book or some quiet activity. Don't let him sleep in the car, really try to get him home for naps at the same time everyday for a couple of weeks. It's harder at first but it will help you and your husband in the long run. My husband couldn't believe how early I would put my son to bed sometimes (when he misses his naps I put him to bed at 5:30 and he will still sleep until 7:00 am) but with him being such a good sleeper we are both believers.

Wow... Why does your husband blame you? That cannot make the situaition any easier for you. Maybe you should let him read some of these responses so he can see that this is normal. He needs to know that you need a support sysytem as much as he needs sleep.

That being said, I agree that your little one may be teething. This happened with my daughter. We were pretty sure that it was her teeth keeping her up. I got nervous giving her so much tylenol and motrin (which did seem to work), so we tried teething tablets. We've used Wylands and Humphrey's. They both worked great.

He may need to sleep more during the day because his teeth keep him him up at night. Maybe you could try two naps.

Hopefully this little phase will work itself out soon. I know how tired you are. Try to take care of yourself now too. Remember that if you are worn down you could get sick and I am sure that is the last thing you need.

Take care and good luck.

My advice is to get and read the book Happy Sleep habits Healthy Child by Dr. Marc Weisburg. Two of my friends and my pediatrician recommended this book to me when my first child was born. It explains how to solve sleep problems and explains what each child needs through all the stages of development. It was EXTREMELY helpful and now I give the book to all my expecting friends.
Sound like he is over tired. Try two naps and putting him to bed earlier. This is not your fault! Good luck.

this sounds like it wont work but if you make him nap during the day he will sleep longer at night. we had the same problem with my grandson which i have all the time. i started putting him down for a nap in the morning and one in the afternoon. he started sleeping form 7:30 to 6 when i got him up because i had to get him ready. maybe you need to start working on solids e may be starving. we started our baby at 5 monhs because he too was starving

Is he eating solids yet? If not, I would start him on some cereal. It could be a combination of being hungry and then overtired. Babies can be such a tough puzzle to figure out. Both of my girls went through jags of not sleeping well, it's frustrating and tiring and also, normal. Just try changing things up and eventually you will stumble upon a solution that works.

Also, when my first was 6-9 months old she would wake up at 5 am. I would get up and play with her for about an hour and then lay down in bed with her. She would fall asleep for the next couple hours. It wasn't ideal, but it got both of us through those few months without me losing my mind to exhaustion. And after a few months she got to where she would sleep in until 8am, and thankfully that time of 5am wakeup calls ended. But I don't think there is any fool proof method and she could just as easily have decided that 5am was the time to wake up and given up on the 2 hour nap from 6-8.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Hang in there, experiment with different feedings, nap times, etc and eventually it will smooth out for you.

OMGsh! - I was just writing the SAME THING to someone and decided to check this. I have not read your responses yet but you are not alone! My son is 5 months and his is every 2 hours during 8 and 7 and nursing like crazy, as you said - dry!! And wants to stay up at 5! I am more tired now than when he was a newborn. Now I have to read your responses...good luck girl.

It sure sounds like teething to me. Your husband might be blaming you because he has no answers and he doesn't want to look like a ninny. But he needs to help you before you pull out your hair and lose 30 pounds. Give the baby lots of toys to chew on, and a cold teething ring. I also have used Hyland's teething tablets. They are a Godsend.

First of all, it's NOT YOUR fault, so don't beat yourself up about it. All babies are different and what worked for me obviously won't work for all of mothers.

I also am a SAHM, with a 3 1/2 year old boy and a 24 month old girl. Until recetently they were both taking AM and PM naps. I know if I've fed my children well and played with them a bunch they NEED to nap/sleep. They wake up about 7:30 and go to bed somewhere between 7:30pm and 9:00pm at the latest. But I am as stubborn as they are... We have a routine. They wake up around 7/7:3. During the day I give them a good breakfast, play with them, but I make sure that I put them down to nap between 11:30 and 1:30, unless we're running around. It was 10/10:30am and 3/3:30 when in was 2 naps. If they cry... I let them, for at least a few minutes, not more than 10 minutes. I know that sounds terrible, but you've got to at least try it. Babies konw you love them, but also know when they want something they cry, not necessarily because they NEED something. Both my children took 2 naps until they were about 18 months old. I know with my babies, at this age, it's more of a power struggle. Even at a younger age, they really just wanted me when they wanted me, and it's hard to not give in, but it's not good for either of you. As quickly as they get into the habbit of getting you when they want you, they can get figure out that your not going to run to them at 2, 3, and 4am.

Obiously if your baby sounds like he's in distress I would go to them right away. I know when my babies NEED me, and when they are just over tired or trying to be the boss. Don't be a hard a**, but realize the difference. I have two of the most loving babies in the world. I really do. They are both sweet and compassionate. But I didn't jump every time they cried. I did wait. My son still takes an 1 1/2 to 2 hour nap and so does my daughter. It was longer before they started sharing a rooom.

Sometimes my daughter wakes up in the middle of the night and crys for like a minute, and just goes back to sleep. I don't know, but if you feel in your heart that it might be something seroious you need to ask your pediatritian. That's #1. I hope this helps. Get some sleep.

It sounds normal to me... it could be a growth spurt or teething. Does he eat solid foods during the day? If not, that might help too. I'd check out the No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantly. It's a really great resource! Here are a few other links that might help..

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp
http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detsleepthrough.html

Hi there

When my son was younger, I supplemented feeds with formula. The child health nurse gave me all sorts of stress saying that I should drink more, sleep more, etc, but even so my baby (now 5 years) was still hungry.

When I supplemented his feeds with formula he was a much happier little vegemite.

Hope the idea of supplementing breast milk with formula helps.

J..

PS, Fingers crossed, maybe his sleeping problems may be helped with the formula as well! :)

Hi Carey,
This may sound contradictory, but he may need *more* naps during the day.

His brain is developing at an incredible rate, and he's a lot more physically active now at 8 months. I've heard a lot of theories about "over-tired" babies waking themselves up at night, or having trouble falling asleep.

Maybe try adding 2 more naps, and extending the time a little bit (you don't have to get them up just because they wake up; my boys always fell back asleep). Besides, that will free up more time for other stuff.
T

One of the moms recommended the same book I But she got the title a little mixed up. It's "Healthy sleep habits, Happy Child" I read it when my first child was 8 months old because he started sleeping horribly. Since then, I have 2 children who take great naps and sleep 11-12 hours at night. Your little one is probably overtired.

It's important that there are 2 naps during the day and an early bedtime. My 1 yr old goes to bed around 6:30 pm and sleeps until around 6:15 am.

If you have specific questions feel free to email me :)

Oh, boy!! This same thing was happening in my house!! We started giving him a lot of protein at dinner...small cubes of tofu, beans, etc and put him to bed right after dinner. Yeah, asleep by 6.15 and sleeps until 6.30-7.00am. No more 4.30am mornings! I agree with the other moms who say he's over tired. I know it seems crazy, but I've read all the books and they claim to put baby to bed before he seems tired. The first night of sleeping, actually sleeping, will make all the difference. I can't believe that hubby really thinks it is your fault...he's just cranky from getting up at 4.30.
best wishes.

Is he on solid food? He needs it. This is not teething, if he is not fussy. As for your husband, he needs to understand that you wouldn't do this to yourself just for sympathy. Other than that, I would ask the doctor.