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Babies: 6 - 9 Months
Working mamas- how to handle a non-STTN LO
DS pretty much was STTN up until June. Summer vacation started and it was fine. I mean, I've been tired, but at least I didn't have work. I go back Sept. 7th and DS is STILL not STTN- in fact, things have gotten worse. He wakes several (like 5 times!) a night and I feel like a zombie. Anyone have any tips of how to handle being tired at work besides loads of coffee? (I BF DS, so caffeine, etc. will not be good.)
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Re: Working mamas- how to handle a non-STTN LO
{{HUGS}} to you. I know how you feel. With teething pain for Emma, we give tylenol. I don't like to give it to her but when her fussiness goes to screaming we need to do something other than the ice washcloth on the gums and oragel. I also bathe her in lavender and rub her down with lavender lotion, give her a feeder with warm sweetened oatmeal cereal. She goes to sleep within 30 minutes and she just got to where she will sleep through the night. I hope this works for you as I understand how tiring it can be.
My LO wakes up on average 3 times a night, and I've come to the conclusion that we are going to have to do some sleep training of some description. It's not doing her any good to wake up and not be able to put herself back to sleep and it certainly isn't doing me any good!
She is BF also, and there have only been a couple of nights in the last month when the only thing that would do was to nurse her. Waking up in the night has become almost a habit - she knows if she wakes up and cries then mum will come see her.
We are also in the middle of teething and I know that can be disruptive to sleep patterns, but fingers crossed it should only last so long.
I have got used to the amount of sleep I'm getting. I head to bed not too much longer after LO, maybe 9-9:30. And one or two cups of coffee won't hurt!
I am starting sleep training. I'm working through "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" (or whatever it's called.) I just can't stomach CIO. It's not for me. Kudos to whoever has tried it, but it breaks my heart & I can't handle it.
2 cups of coffee seems to be the max I can handle while BF DS. Any more makes him nutty. I am def going to add a second cup to my day. Unfortunately, while at work, my schedule is tight, so my choices will be ether pump or go for a walk. I plan on pumping until Dec., so I guess the walk will be after work lol.
I know what you mean, and I've been looking for solutions too. So far I've tried eating fruit or chocolate, the sugar gives you more energy, this didn't do enough for me. When feeling sleepy, walk around your building or on your floor for a few minutes. Get a power nap (15 - 30 min) in during lunch (I'm gonna try this today).
Nick still wakes up once a night, and I really only get 6 hrs of sleep (less if you count the time up when LO wakes up). I've tried going to bed earlier, but in bed by 9 is a bit early for me. If power napping doesn't work, I'll have to force myself to get to bed at least by 930???
Hope this help.
Have you thought about co-sleeping? We put LO to bed in his crib and then if he wakes up in the middle of the night, I bring him to bed and nurse him then he falls back asleep. then when I get up in the morning to get ready for work, I put him back in his crib.
I was 1,000% against co-sleeping, but survival wins. i've tried giving him water or a paci but nothing works and I don't believe in CIO.
I don't actually nurse him every time he wakes. Usually, I nurse him the first time and can just quickly rock him back to sleep the other times. His diaper is usually dry so I don't think changing him is the answer either. There have been only a few times where he thought 3am was playtime and not sleep time. I am seeing that he has a "sleep association" (or whatever you call it) with me. I feel that he can't figure out how to fall back to sleep w/o me there to rock him or nurse him. He won't even attempt to go back to sleep when DH goes in.
I am going to slowly try the suggestions in the "No-Cry Sleep Solution," but I'm not sure what will work as he is teething. When DH isn't home (he sometimes works overtime at night), I will take DS in bed w/me. He usually sleeps great when I do this, but then I don't. I never do this when DH is home, though, as he is not comfortable with this AT ALL. He is terrified that he will roll over or something on DS.
Actually, maybe it's time to set up the PNP in my bedroom again............