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2 hours ago
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sleep deprivation+stubborn baby = Unhappy momma
There has been some new developments with Easton since I last posted, but they probably wouldn't make any sense if I typed them out. The reason being is that my brain is in a fog. Easton was up basically from 1-7am with a few sporadic moments of "naps" sprinkled in there. He FINALLY went to sleep around 7, only to wake up 30 minutes later. He has yet to go back to sleep. He has started fighting his sleep something terrible. Seriously, TERRIBLE. I can't even put into words how frustrated this makes me. The minute we lay him in his crib, he flips over on his back and throws a fit. We try leaving him in there. Nothing. I think he would lay in there all day. Trust me..I've been tempted to set a timer for an hour and just let him be. I don't really know what to do to help him sleep better. He didn't used to do that. He's never slept good at night, but he did used to take pretty decent naps. Not anymore. I just need some help. Or advice. Or a sleep specialist to come to my house and fix him. I would pay for that. I already offered my sister, Jenny, money to come fix him. She just laughed at me. Are there people that really do that??? I would love to find one. I am just wanting to be able to answer the question, "isn't being a mother the best?? Aren't babies wonderful?? It's SO much fun, isn't it?" , with yes, yes and yes. But right now I can't. And that makes me feel even worse.
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I don't know if it'd be an option for you, but have you thought about co-sleeping? If you're not comfortable with baby in bed, maybe putting the crib in your room or lying down with him until he's asleep, then putting him in the crib may help.
ReplyDeleteMy rugrat's only 2 months old, but we co-sleep and he sleeps really good - he'll fight it some if we're out or have visitors because it's something going on, but he'll either go right to sleep or just look around and be content most've the time if we're there with him.
Oh, I'm so sorry! That sounds truly truly awful. How old is Easton? His age will kind of determine what sorts of approaches to take. And I assume you've seen the doc to see if there's anything physically wrong (I mean, new issues)?
ReplyDeleteIn the short term I would suggest you have someone take a night shift so you can get some sleep immediately. When you're totally sleep deprived it's pretty impossible to do this well or stay sane! Do you have a friend who can come over and watch him for a night? Or someone you can hire? Or even better, can you and your partner take shifts at night--maybe your partner getting up with him from 8-1 am and you for the rest of the night, or vice versa, so you can each get a good chunk of sleep every night? If your child is old-enough, either a crying-it-out or a more gentle "teaching your child to sleep" approach can be really effective. One person I know found "the sleep lady" and her book really really helpful. Her webiste is here: http://www.thesleeplady.com/
If you're comfortable with a "crying it out" approach, I've also had the approach from _Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child_ recommended to me. The book is here: http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-Happy-Child/dp/0449004023
The main thing is that you pick an approach and do it really really consistently (rather than switching between approaches) and don't give up too quickly.
We used something very similar to what the "Sleep Lady" recommends and found that within a week our little one was sleeping through the night. I don't know what your exact situation is, but I hope those two things help. Feel free to email me if I can help at all!
Julie, I have a friend who is a Newborn Specialist, and I am (hopefully) on my way to becoming one. Yay! On top of that, a good friend of mine has triplets, who are now 10-months-old. I would recommend reading The Happiest Baby on the Block. It's a quick read, and the tricks are swaddling babies up tight (even if they fight it at first), side or stomach - putting them in a comfortable position (babies have a sense of falling if they are on their back), Shhhh - white noise, pretty loud, swinging - they like to move, just like they were for the 9 months in the womb, and sucking - a paci or a bottle. Definitely a must read - it makes so much sense & has helped the little boy I am nannying now.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, sister! You will make it!!!
P.S., so I looked back at older posts and it looks like Easton is about 3 months old, which is too early for a crying-it-out approach, but the sleep lady will probably have good advice for younger babies, and the _Happiest Baby on the Block_ is also available on DVD. Do remember though that putting a baby on his belly or side can be a SIDS hazard, so I'd be careful with that bit of advice. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteHey dear, I wish I could be there with you! Make an appointment next time you're home with your folks to see Dr. David Danhauer in Owensboro. He's our pediatrician. He has been a LIFESAVER down the road to sleeping through the night. He's a no-nonsense sweetheart that will help you more than you can imagine with the sleep issues. I don't know if your insurance would cover him since he's here, but the extra money would be worth it! We love you! Dawn
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry you are going though that. I know how hard it is to be positive and happy when you haven't slept at all. If there is a way you can do it, I would recomend trying co-sleeping. I co-sleep with my son and it works for us, but it may not for you. Try to keep in mind that your baby isn't broken.
ReplyDeleteI know you posted a comment on my blog post about PPD and I just want you to know that you aren't alone in it and that it will get better. If you want to email mme and talk more that would be just fine with me.
Try to get some rest.
Sarah
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear what you're going through lately. My daughter had colic, which I think must've been the last straw that triggered my insomnia and PPD to begin. I was going to ask if you've ever checked out www.thefussybabysite.com/sleeping? I find a lot of the Fussy Baby site extremely informative/helpful in terms of explanations and suggestions for various situations concerning fussy/colicky/high needs babies (inc. babies that can't sleep through the night due to sleep apnea, reflux, allergies or ear infections).
But then, I saw your more recent posts about the vestibular disorder, and you now have some info that will hopefully help him sleep & eat better. My daughter was < 6 lbs when she was born and always had trouble putting on weight. She'd stay at one weight for what seemed, I swear, to be a year at one point. I was like, this can't be right. But then, the pediatrician always assured us that, though she was in the bottom 10 percentile for weight (and height), there was nothing to be concerned about.
Wishing you better days ahead for all of you.
Take care,
Ivy