Monday, May 4, 2009

Help!

So I know there are a lot of mommies out there, and I'm in desperate need of your experience. I would venture to say that of all mommy frustrations, sleep issues are at the top. That's the definite case in our home. Little Miss Maddie has to be nursed to sleep, which is a big problem in itself. (I FEAR weaning this child). But she also wakes up 3 times a night, about every 2-3 hours. She won't go back to sleep unless I nurse her back to sleep. Then she thinks it's fun to wake up at 6am. Everywhere I read it says that babies her age (11 months) should be getting 11-14 hours of sleep a night. She gets maybe 7-10. I've tried letting her cry it out to see if she will just fall asleep on her own, but after so long I just can't handle it. And when I do go in to get her she's standing up in her crib just screaming at the door. Of course she can't soothe herself when she's upright! Does anyone have ANY advice for me? I'm pretty desperate, and am tired of doing online searches.

9 comments:

Aly said...

Well first off, you always have to do what you are comfortable with. We had some trouble with Treyton too, that is why I learned to start really early with Jayci! We did have to let him scream it out. It was the ONLY way. He would scream for hours. It took about two weeks at the most and then he started getting the hang of it. I did go in and hold him for a sec, then lay him back down without talking to him at all. That is what I did, but I know some mom's can't deal with the crying. It was just my last option! Good luck! That sucks.

Christie said...

Jessie I feel your pain (and lack of sleep headaches, and tired body, and red, gritty eyes, etc.). It's amazing how different each child is. Your next one will probably have no problems sleeping through the night. Not like that helps you now. I wish I knew what made one sleep and the other not. Myla slept through the night at 2 weeks and we've had no troubles since. Gavin still wakes up several times a night and wants to be fed, just like Maddie. I've tried crying it out too, but he just gets so mad and hysterical that I worry about his breathing. I just don't know. I keep hoping he'll just outgrow it. I've even tried Tylenol because I thought he may just be in pain. But it doesn't work either. I know this is no help at all. Playdate at 2am?? I've bring the caffeinated beverage. :)

jordan and tyrell said...

i have never read it, but my sister-in-law swears by the book, baby wise. maybe it's worth looking into. i am not really qualified for advise (as i have only been a mother for 3 months) but if i have learned anything from watching super nanny... making the change is going to be a nightmare, but the temporary hell and end results are way worth it :)

Beka said...

i used babywise with my boys, but i was told to start while they are young, but i honestly believe its the only way. it might take awhile at first, if you can handle it- its really hard at first, but just let her cry it out and every 10 min or so go in comfort her, give hugs and then lay her back down, till she finally gives up. i'm not sure if it will work since she's alot older, but its worth a shot eh? she's go to know you are the boss:) maybe give her a warm bath & other soothing stuff before bed too:) good luck!

LauriAnn said...

Yeah, I am going to have to agree with Alyson. You are going to probably have to tough out the crying until she stops. She should be at a developmental stage where she can sleep through the night, and not need to eat, she just knows you will giver it to her. Hayes was kind of the same way. Sometimes it was enough if I was in the room with him, not talking, or acknowledging him, and he would go to sleep. After a few nights of that, I wouldn't have to sit with him. Probably better to do it sooner rather than later, this is my advice on everything parenting-related. It is so much better before they can actually talk back to you!

meghannamarie said...

Hey Jessie I had this great thing all typed up for you to read but then my internet went down and I couldn't save it so you are going to get the short version...to me it sounds like she is hungry, maybe feed her a little more at dinner time. I think she is waking because she knows you will feed her and give her what she wants try giving her food that will be more filling, vegi's are great!

marcijudd said...

Hey Jessie,
There is nothing worse than having to figure this one out. Well I do everything wrong as a mother but I simply could not take the crying. There is nothing I hate worse than a crying baby so when I was weaning Jackson and Makenna I made Bryce put them to sleep. I would feed them yogurt or something right before bed and then have bryce lay by them until they fell asleep. They still cried but I at least felt comforted that they were still getting loved through it. Then in the middle of the night I would let them cry for a little bit but not long. Just long enough that when I went and got the they were so tired they would just fall right back to sleep. They both sleep through the night now Makenna has definatly done a lot better than Jackson. They next will be better I promise. Sorry this is so long.

Coach Lee said...

i totally agree with woody...i started just letting kayhlen scream and as hard as it was, i wouldn't go in and get her...now she sleeps well through the night. as hard as it is to listen to them scream and wail (it breaks your heart) you can't go in and get them because then they understand that that's all they have to do in order to get what they want. i know it's hard...good luck with whatever you decide.

Jill Manning said...

I wish I had magic words for you, I would be going crazy! Crying it out was the only way to go for Elsie but she was younger then. But crying it out, I think, is harder on the mommy than it is on the baby. I will pray for you and I really hope a change comes quickly!