9 MO will only sleep on me

ClaireOtoms

We have been bedsharing fulltime with DS since he was about 7 months old.  Before that he was a golden sleeper, sleeping in his crib until about midnight and then waking to finish the night in bed with us.  Since 7 months we have had teething, a cold, teething, norovirus, another cold, and, yes, teething again.  That's a lot to deal with in 2 short months, and I am afraid that DS has turned being fussy into a "habit," as much as that is possible. 

So the problem now is that every time he is tired(nap or night time), it is the bedtime routine followed by a one or two hour struggle of nursing, rocking, and soothing, with him screaming the whole time until he finally passes out on me.  The second I try to place him in his crib or even just shift away from him he wakes up screaming and the cycle begins again.

We have kept a routine, tried putting him to sleep sooner, tried putting him to sleep later, none of it is working.  This is no longer sustainable, since I really don't have time to spend 16+ hours a day laying in bed with him so he can sleep, which is what I have, quite pathetically, begun doing.  Now we have another LO on the way and I am exhausted on top of frustrated.

 DH wants to do CIO, and I am not sure I have any other options at this point.  I understand at 9 months there are sleep issues, but this is absolutely absurd.

Any help out there?  

 

ClaireOtoms

Just noticed a very similar problem posted below (Bed sharing not working).  Off to check it out!

katncrack

I don't have a lot of advice except to say that I don't think it is pathetic of you as you said to be spending time laying with him. I have done the same and I have a rough sleeper, but the best I think you can do is take it one day at a time. Your kiddo will constantly change and you will find new ways to work things out over time. I'm struggling with naps now and I cosleep and really like it, I just keep telling myself this is just a blip, it really won't last long.

ClaireOtoms

Thanks kat.  I really love the time spent snuggling with him, but I start to freak out when I think about how we will function with another LO and a household to run.  I know I really just need to step back and enjoy this fleeting moment, but it's hard to ignore all those non-priority priorities like dishes and laundry sometimes!

katncrack

ClaireOtoms:

Thanks kat.nbsp; I really love the time spent snuggling with him, but I start to freak out when I think about how we will function with another LO and a household to run.nbsp; I know I really just need to step back and enjoy this fleeting moment, but it's hard to ignore all those nonpriority priorities like dishes and laundry sometimes!

I can imagine with another on the way it is a scary thought. I don't have more than one, but what I hear is that you get really good at being flexible. I'm not sure it is a skill I have yet. Just remember you are human, your laundry will always be there mine is always and your kids eek will be teenagers someday and we will miss this stuff!