I'm beyond tired of having a baby who doesn't sleep. And it's not just a few times a night. It's gotten to the point that he wakes up every hour. A few nights ago I found myself in tears in the middle of the night, almost pleading with my little guy to sleep, even though he doesn't understand me. I know some of it is due to the fact that he is getting molars, but he's also too smart and knows when he cries mom will come nurse him. I tried letting him cry for a while last night but he just kept going and going. And I feel bad because the people that live below and above us both have kids. I finally caved, went in his room and nursed him. I have no will power. Is it too much to ask for 4+ hours of straight sleep? I can't even remember the last time. I guess it could be worse. I was talking to my sister the other day and her 7 year old still tries to come climb in bed with her. She's resorted to locking her room at night, lol.
Some days I find myself plugging in a movie for Chandler and laying on the couch because I am too tired to do anything. I know I'm not alone, as my friend Lila just posted about the same things at the wee hours of the morning.
Just looking for some encouragement....ok - I'm done with my pity party.
17 comments:
I'm so sorry! Getting little or no sleep makes everything seem much harder in life, at least for me. Just know it won't last forever! I hope the little guy gives you a break soon.
OH, I know JUST how you feel. Jonas still isn't sleeping through the night and we are exhausted too. He's waking up every two hours to nurse. Plus he won't take long naps during the day...a half hour is the most I get out of him. Don't worry about plugging Chandler into the TV because that is what Carson is doing right now because his mommy is so tired. What is it with these boys and no sleep??
{{{Hugs}}}!!! I'm so sorry, that's got to be so incredibly hard. I know what you mean about bothering the neighbors. You are one amazing Mom!!!
I don't envy you at all in this situation. I was pretty lucky to have a baby that sleeps great. I'm sure your neighbors would get over a few nights of crying just so you can re-train him to sleep without you, right?
That's too bad! Sorry he still isn't sleeping for you. I don't know how you've gone this long, almost a year! You are WAY more patient than me. I bet it would only take two nights at the most of crying to get him sleeping through the night for you. When Jake finally started sleeping through the night I couldn't believe how much more stuff I got done during the day because I wasn't so tired!
What time do you put him to bed? If it's early enough, you could have him cried out before your neighbors go to sleep. Then if he wakes up again he shouldn't cry for nearly as long. It's amazing how fast kids learn. Just go in there and rub his belly and give him a kiss and leave. He'll know you didn't abandon him and eventually he'll figure it out.
Can you tell I'm a pro at letting my kids cry it out. I know I know, I should get the mother of the year award. - Again you have WAY more patience than me.
Good Luck
Hey Tiffany. Can you email me so that I'll have your email address? I wanted to ask you a question. My email is j-cann21@hotmail.com Thanks!
I read your remarks on "resentment" on Lila's blog only after writing the same thing below what you had written. I feel your pain and, just know, it HAS TO BE completely normal to resent your child for needing you when all YOU need is sleep. :o)
I wish I could help and that would be tough in an apartment. Are you good enough friends with the neighbors to talk to them about it and see if it keeps them up or if you should let him holler? I'd try. Maybe it's a good way to meet the neighbors and perhaps they'll feel so badly for you that they'll tolerate it better. :o)
Good luck.
P.S. All these sleepless-baby blogposts are making me nervous for when #3 arrives. Hopefully she'll be a good sleeper.
I feel for you, I really do!! Aiden slept through the night at 4 months old, but after he started getting teeth, we were back to the up all night thing. Once I knew that his teeth weren't bothering him, when he would wake up, I would just go into his room and rub his back or his head and calm him down. When he figured out that I wasn't going to cave in and give him anything to eat, he slept longer and longer each night. The first few times are sooo hard, becuase all you want to do is get them back to sleep so you can go back to sleep, but it really only took maybe 3 or 4 nights. I don't know if that is much help, but it worked for us!! I also got tons of help from the sleep sense web-site that I found on your blog!
I'm so sorry about your horrible nights of little to no sleep. It makes me really grateful to only wake up twice to empty the teeny-weeny pregnant bladder in the middle of the night because I can go right back to sleep. Hang in there! It's a stage and soon everyone will be getting a little more sleep.
Babies up all night? I remember that... now I just have a toddler (okay, maybe he's not a toddler anymore, but he's still my baby) who inherited my sleeping habits. But seriously, at some point, just let him cry it out. 3 or 4 nights, and you'll be good to go. Hang in there!
Hey Tiff,
I'm so sorry. That is so hard! Hey I was wondering if you could email me your address, so that I can send you a christmas card.
Because of all the reading I am doing lately, I find myself thinking along the lines of the information that I have been reading. My question is why is he not sleeping? I don't think it is just because he is being difficult or that you are "week". Your little guy has been sick a lot. He is probably still trying to get well. But you need to be sane too be a good mom too. If you are interested, you can find some of the info I am reading about lately that may relate to your baby because of all the illnesses he has had on my blog. In the mean time, call in a favor with your hubby and get your four hours of sleep. It is important for your sanity and your family. There is nothing wrong with taking care of your baby. Good luck.
PS The paper I referred you to is about autism treatment, but the part I think is important to you is the part about reestablishing good gut flora because of the antibiotics Rowen as been on. I think it could help him be more comfortable. Maybe this Dr's experience can help you.
Sherrie - I need an invite to your blog. I don't have one...
I hear you! Arora was up from 1-4 last night for no reason. She is still up every 2-3 hours every night. Will this ever end?? I'm sure it will. Maybe it is just January babies that do this?
I just let Morgan cry it out. I would put her down at 8 o'clock, let her cry for five minutes. Go in, talk to her-DON'T HOLD HER, and then walk back out. Then let her cry for 10 minutes and do the same thing. Then 15 minutes, etc. The first night it took 1 1/2 hours, but got easier and only took one week. As far as the neighbors go, they have kids-they should understand. And if they don't, then that isn't your fault! Good luck.
That's tough one. We had the same problem with our son Devan. He ended up sleeping with us until he was 2 and then from 2-2 1/2 we weened him into his own toddler bed. Now I still have to stay in the room until he falls asleep, but he fall asleep a little quicker now and is finally sleeping through the night almost every night. For the first while though when he was sleeping in his own bed he'd wake up in the middle of the night terrified. It was so sad. Every once in awhile he wake up scared now and I'll let him come in with us, but it's nice to have our bed back for the most part.
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