While I'm typing this, Olivia is screaming to beat the band. She's really tired and was rubbing her eyes, starting to fuss, etc., so I nursed her to sleep and moved her to her crib. She stirred, saw where she was, and unleashed the fires of hell. She is dead tired, and I'm hoping she'll just fall asleep-- that is, if I can make it that long.
I promised I would never, ever let her CIO, and I'm tempted to give in, even if it means my life is hell and I never sleep again. I don't know if I have it in me to do what it might take to get her to take a freaking nap.
Last night, if it's even possible, was far worse than usual. She went to bed earlier than she usually does and slept from 9:15-1:00. I was so excited I thought about throwing a party, but it was premature. She woke up at 1:00, 3:30, 6:00, went back to sleep an hour later at 7:00, and slept a couple more hours. I decided not to nurse her one of those time because I knew she wasn't hungry, and rather than going to back to sleep within 10-15 minutes of waking, it took an entire hour.
I can't stand to let her cry, but I can't stand this lack of sleep either. It's a Catch 22 and I feel like I'm losing my mind.
She's been screaming for 10 minutes. An entire hour has gone by since I started the process of trying to get her down for a nap, and she was extremely tired when we started. Why doesn't she give in? Do I pick her up? Wait longer since she's soooo tired? I just don't know the right thing to do. I'm almost in tears myself. We have a doctor's appt this afternoon. I'm praying this man has some answers . . .
Posted by Hannah at January 17, 2007 02:03 PMHannah,
Hang in there! I have three beautiful children and they all went through this especially in the 6-12 month age range! It's totally normal!
Stay strong, catch cat naps when Olivia is sleeping and remember that she's your world and she isnt' doing it to upset you!
Posted by: Bruce at January 17, 2007 02:38 PMI know exactly how you feel about the CIO. I've tried a couple times this week to have Katie do that and it only makes her more awake.
I don't have the nursing problem; she seems to be able to be coerced back to sleep in the night without always nursing her.
But I do feel your pain. Hope the doctor has some ideas.
And please know that you are not alone in the inability to handle the CIO thing. I feel the same as you.
A lot of it is probably because she's not used to sleeping in her crib~I'd keep trying~you never know, she'll most likely end up adjusting & liking sleeping in her crib. Did you try getting her to sleep on her tummy? I do hope this gets better soon & I hope the appt. goes well for you & hope the doc has more advice. Please keep us updated & let us know what the doc says :) Good luck :) Thinking of you! (((HUGS)))
Posted by: Connie at January 17, 2007 04:21 PM{{HUGS}} I'm praying, too, that you get some answers from your doctor today so that you all get some good sleep tonight!
Posted by: Christina at January 17, 2007 04:36 PMLike I said in my e-mail, I *totally* know what you are going through right now ~ and I *so* feel for you, Hannah! Ugh, it can be *more* than frustrating. Several times, I thought that I was losing my mind, too! I'll hold good thoughts for you ...
Posted by: lisanne at January 17, 2007 05:14 PMWe all end up doing things that we said we'd never do when it comes to parenting. We just didn't realize the situations we'd find ourselves in before we actually had our girls. Oh, and there is no "right thing"...you've just got to figure out what works for your family...but who knows that that is.
Posted by: Chas at January 17, 2007 06:22 PMGood luck Hannah. Hope the doctor can help you!!!
Posted by: Ani at January 17, 2007 07:05 PMI hope all goes well with the doc and you get some much needed sleep soon!!
Posted by: Trace at January 17, 2007 10:07 PMYou poor thing! I hope you get some relief soon.
Posted by: elaine at January 17, 2007 10:28 PMI should have said this earlier. But as with trying to break any bad habit, it takes time. Some people say any habit in a baby can be broken in 3 days. Well, I think that is crap. Maybe a week. The key is, never to give in too early.
Posted by: alfredsmom at January 17, 2007 11:31 PMDoes she take a dummy? (pacifier) That has worked wonders with the bubby - its like his off switch. Especially if you put a little teething gel on it - it used to get him to suck on it furiously - leaving him no time to cry - and the sucking reflex calmed him down enough to sleep. Fingers crossed that you get something worked out that works for both of you!
Posted by: Valkyrie at January 17, 2007 11:48 PMSorry to hear about the lack of sleep you are getting! I don't have anything helpful to say. It just sucks. I hope you are able to get some real sleep soon!
Posted by: GeorgiaGirl at January 18, 2007 06:53 AM