Working and sleep deprived...help!

[premama]

Hi,

I have a 8 month old daughter who, until recently, was sleeping happily in her own crib (not through the night).

Now, she sleeps in her crib when we put her to sleep at 8/9pm but wakes up at 11/12am crying hard and refusing to drink milk/be put back into her crib.

This is probably partly my fault as I started to bring her into our bedroom after the 2/3am feed as she seemed to sleep better in our bed.

I think she's also teething as she cries much more than before and refuses to go back to sleep.

As a result, I've had about 3 hours sleep in total and as I'm working full-time, feel exhausted.

Does anyone know how I can solve this problem?? I would appreciate any advice/help.

Thanks!

 

[loupou]

Hi,

Been there (2 kids under 2 and working full time).

Are you still breastfeeding? If not, you should go to bed as early as you can (maybe 9:30 or 10pm). Have your husband deal w/ baby when she wakes up at the 11pm/12am crying.

If she is getting into a habit of waking up at 2am or 3am, it could be a time for "controlled crying".

If you don't think you can handle that, see if your husband could. If he can't handle it either, then deal as best you can until (say) 4am and then (if you have one) pass baby to helper.

This way, all of you get some sleep.

You: 9:30 pm - 2am - 5 1/2 hours) + 1 or 2 after 4am waking

Husband: 12am- 7am or whatever (unless he takes a few hours out for the next week to help w/ controlled crying method).

Helper: 10pm- 4 am = 6 hours + maybe a nap in the day.

If you have no helper, then the sleep training may become more important. Don't forget to go to sleep early yourself. It helps.



Do not bring baby into your bed, if you want her to stay out of it.