At a loss re: sleep

[cilantro]

I'm sorry. I'm in the same boat. I was just internally debating whether to put 15 pacifiers in the crib every night or take it away entirely and CIO.

[runner09]

Any chance she has an ear infection? This was pretty much us 2 weeks ago and DS had an infection. Once it completely resolved he went back to his old sleeping patterns (which aren't STTN but much more tolerable).

[Deleted]

I would check on the ears. I would give drugs (I usually did Advil at bedtime and Tylenol 8 hours after that). I would mentally decide how soon you're willing to feed her (every 4 hours? 3?)

And then I'd at least get on with getting bedtime together even if there's crying. I'm reaching my sleep training breaking point a lot sooner this time than last time. I don't think you can use teeth as too much of an excuse because it's TWO YEARS LONG. They're always teething. Sick is harder, but if she's not in extra pain... you gotta do what you gotta do to survive.

Signed, that mom that's been reading the Troublesome Tots blog for the last hour and wondering what it would be like to sleep a full 8 hours. Hell... full 4 hours would be stellar.

[Ashley&Scott]

Jan 13, 2014 16:16:42 GMT -5 runner09 said:

Any chance she has an ear infection? This was pretty much us 2 weeks ago and DS had an infection. Once it completely resolved he went back to his old sleeping patterns (which aren't STTN but much more tolerable).

This is a good point, ear infections always made M's poor sleep absolutely horrible.

[prosecco]

I was also going to mention ear infection. An ear infection and hand foot and mouth made my normally great sleeper just a mess unless I was holding him.

Are you opposed to co sleeping? Could you try it for a bit, that way no one has to get up to rub her back at least?

I ended up letting DS2 sleep on my chest when he is sick because it was the only way for us both to get any rest.

[dbsk8dance]

I'm right there with you. Even down to the DH who is done with it and usually fine.

I think we're going to CIO this weekend. She's still on antibiotics from an ear infection but once we're done, we have to be done.

I've been pretty anti cry it out with her. Mostly because I don't mind the snuggles, but last night it was every 30 minutes. Nope, nope, nope.

[jaycee]

The thoughts about an ear infection are good ones.

Do you think she is getting enough calories during the day? Maybe she needs some greek yogurt or something highly caloric right before bed.

[prosecco]

I wasn't thinking about that, yeah I would not want to nurse all night either. I never slept well like that. Does she take a pacifier? Can she drink from a cup? If it isn't her ears we found putting a sippy if water in bed helped both of our kids , because sometimes they just wake up a little thirsty, but obviously if mom was there they would want to nurse. If she doesn't have a lovey yet , I might also try introducing one if you are comfortable with it, that really helped with both of mine, and I think we gave DS1 his around 10 months, he is 4 and still uses it. Good luck!

We only ever did CIO for naps and not until after a year, not because I have an issue with it, but my anxiety would skyrocket, and honestly I couldn't take it. So I tried many other ways to "trick" them into not needing someone to come in and comfort them. Other things we do are use white noise and some type of musical night time toy thing (crib side soother or a fisher price seahorse, DS2 uses the seahorse as his lovey, but at 20 months I still hear him turn it on to get back to sleep in the middle of the night sometimes) .

[catbus]

I'm sorry. No advice here, but sending sleep vibes your her way. 

[Marmee]

I'm in the same boat & desperately trying to change things.  It sucks so bad!  Hugs

[Ashley&Scott]

Are you already trying the congestion tricks? (Saline drops, nose frida, cool mist humidifier, elevating crib mattress.)

[fromage]

DS was a terrible sleeper until we sleep trained. I had the same qualms as you are feeling about sleep training while he was teething, but ended up having to give him tylenol and go for it. Teething is so constant at that age, and you guys all need sleep. I agree with others to have her ears checked, and then start. I hope you all get some sleep soon. I don't know how you're surviving right now!

[ssmjlm]

Were we in the same house last night? And DH had to do it all alone bc I was puking.

We're going to try CIO at this point if its before midnight. We all need sleep and she was miserable today bc she was up all night. She doesn't do well with checks though, so DH is only going to go in initially.

A lovey has definitely helped E with going down for the night.

She has slept through the night a couple times lately so I know she can.