Sleep- Or lack thereof

Starfish+77 · September 2014

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've posted. I've been struggling with serious postpartum depression and anxiety. I'm on meds and beginning to see improvement but definitely not well yet.

I believe it's mainly bc my DS (5 mos tomorrow) is such a poor sleeper. I am so sleep deprived and I also have a 20 month old
toddler to care for.

DS is so overtired all the time and screams his head off every night at bedtime. Last night he was awake from 12-3 despite my attempts to get him back to sleep. He is put down awake and falls asleep fine on his own. He only got 9 hours sleep last night when I know he should be getting 11-12 at this age.

I don't know the cause of his lengthy night wakings. He is cranky and irritable all day. Lately I feel no enjoyment in raising him, which I know sounds awful.

Anyone else in a similar situation? I know eventually this will pass but I'm struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel lately.

Sorry so long..needed to vent.

Pearlvirus · September 2014

Yes. We are in the same boat. At 5 months mine really should be able to sleep more then 2 hours (best case) but no. Not sleeping makes absolutely everything more difficult and less enjoyable. So I hired a sleep consultant this morning. We are getting her plan and starting it on Friday. Here's Hoping it helps!!!

acrookston · September 2014

I found a lot of help in using the techniques in the Happiest Baby on the Block. They talk about the five "S's".

-Shhhhh-ing (loudly)

-Swaddle (tightly)

-Swing/sway

-Suck (breast, pacifier, etc)

-Side or Stomach (hold the baby so they are on their side or stomach but do not have them sleep this way)

You are supposed to do all of these at the same time. I do all of these and it helps. I also make it no fun when he wakes up in the middle of the night. I'm there for business only. I change him, feed him, wrap him back up and put him to bed. I don't make eye contact. I don't smile. We have a dimmer light in his room that I only put on just enough to see what I am doing. He got the picture and I have a good night's sleep most nights. I hope this works for you too! Please ask for help. Get someone to come over and watch him for a couple hours so you can nap! Take care of mommy first

Jessimax · September 2014

Mine goes right back to sleep after feeding but is up every 1.5-2.5 hours and I am spend.

steph1977 · September 2014

Pearlvirus said:
Yes. We are in the same boat. At 5 months mine really should be able to sleep more then 2 hours (best case) but no. Not sleeping makes absolutely everything more difficult and less enjoyable. So I hired a sleep consultant this morning. We are getting her plan and starting it on Friday. Here's Hoping it helps!!!

@Pearlvirus‌ I'd LOVE the help of a sleep consultant, or even better, a baby whisperer! I wasn't even aware that there was an option to hire. Any tips you can share??

steph1977 · September 2014

@Starfish+77‌ I'm so sorry you're struggling so much. I have no tips to share, but I'm right there with you. My LO sleeps (or doesn't) a lot like yours and has been generally fussy since the day he was born. Sleep deprivation + difficult baby makes it so hard to function and find joy in being a mommy. Try to focus on the happy moments, however few they may be, and enlist the help of anyone who is willing. This rough time will pass eventually.

Pearlvirus · September 2014

@steph1977‌ I get her plan on Friday and she said usually at this age results are quick, so hopefully next week I'll have some success to share!

dmosquera4 · September 2014

Has this been going on for a while or might it just be a growth spurt? I had the same feelings where I had to walk away and breathe, it's really hard and DH sometimes doesn't seem to get what I go through which makes it even harder.

Have you tried CIO I'm trying to start sleep training my little guy

Maybe try giving him rice cereal to help his tummy feel full through out the night

I send you hugs and prayers to help this stage go by really fast!

Xoxo

zazu13 · September 2014

Pearlvirus said:
@steph1977‌ I get her plan on Friday and she said usually at this age results are quick, so hopefully next week I'll have some success to share!

Good luck! Curious what suggestions she has for naps! Look forward to hearing your results!

Staceyew · September 2014

Jessimax said:

Mine goes right back to sleep after feeding but is up every 1.5-2.5 hours and I am spend.

This is what is currently happening at my house. I can't wait until he is sleeping for longer stretches.

juniper75 · September 2014

Staceyew said:

Jessimax said:

Mine goes right back to sleep after feeding but is up every 1.5-2.5 hours and I am spend.

This is what is currently happening at my house. I can't wait until he is sleeping for longer stretches.

This was us too and I thought it couldn't get any worse, except now she is fighting going back down and starting her days earlier. I was thinking growth spurt, maybe wonder weeks, or teething....then I realized it doesn't really matter because we just have to get through it. Ugh

ksulli · September 2014

If baby is in desperate need of a nap I wear her and take a long walk (like a hour to get her out, then sit with her still on me) or even go for a ride in the car, then keep her in the car seat rocking it. These are super demanding naps for mommy, but I do it with the hope of at least getting enough rest that she isn't over-tired and that she'll then be able to get some decent sleep on her own that night. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. That's all I've got.

And nothing against PP, but hearing about he the 5Ss makes me want to pull my hair out- you think I haven't tried the most obvious ways to help my child sleep? Really? I'm not an idiot, I have a high needs baby.

DD1 was a terrible sleeper and very demanding when she was awake (aka constantly). This one is less demanding and can fall asleep on her own when she's in the mood, but every few days or weeks she'll get to a place of hating sleep. Our good nights she's only up twice (1am/4am), but good nights are only 50/50, and bad nights are awful. I thank god she's doing as well as she is after what dd1 put us through.

juniper75 · September 2014

She will only go about 2 hours awake before needing a nap so she does nap 3-4 times a day but they seem to be getting shorter too. We moved bedtime up as early as possible, she goes down around 7. I get so excited when she has a good nap day thinking maybe her night will be better but not lately... She is also seriously attached to me right now and won't go to anyone else so I think she is going through something....

Want a personalized experience?

Sleep- Or lack thereof

Re: Sleep- Or lack thereof

Choose Another Board

Search Boards