sleeping patterns messed up...HELP! | ExpatWoman.com
 

sleeping patterns messed up...HELP!

226
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 20:39

Hi ladies,
read all the books, i know the importance of consistency... started off really well with set sleep times in her crib, waking her up every 4 hours for a feed as per all the baby books....

6 weeks later, i have managed to end up with DD who power naps for 5 mins, and cries for hours on end because she is so tired....appetite is well sated and there is no wind. if i try to put her in the crib 9/10 she wakes 5 mins later crying...so as a result of sleep deprivation/being at the end of my tether, she has slept on my shoulder whilst i try to sleep propped up by pillows....eek! never thought i would do that!

how do i get back on track? starting to panic as i go back to work fulltime in 4 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!

:(

1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 22:21
the 'y' is 'you' - ie time for yourself as the mother :) haha - no wonder I forget that one! lol
504
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 22:16
the 'y' is 'you' - ie time for yourself as the mother :)
1861
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 22:08
waking her up every 4 hours?! I know different things work for different people, but imo, a baby will wake for a feed when it's hungry and you gain very little by waking them (you'd never know if you'd been blessed with a baby that wanted to properly sleep through the night otherwise!) The Easy method worked well for us - in fact, it's not so much a method as pure logic and a mirror to how even us adults operate - sequences of sleeping, waking, eating, activity and yodelling? Can't remember what the "Y" is! Take it back to basics and learn your baby's sleep cues. If she's only sleeping for 5 minutes and is then overtired, then it's that she's going down for a nap too late - try moving it forward by 30 minutes until you work out the cues - these may be blinking, yawning, rubbing eyes, pulling ears or looking a bit vacant. Use the books as a guideline (unless it's Gina Ford, in which case give it to another unsuspecting mum-to-be!), but use your baby as the rule. Also get a predictable bedtime routine - wind-down (bath, book, cuddles), milk and into bed whilst still awake (in theory - in practice you may need to hang around a bit). At night, feed on demand, especially if you're breast-feeding and keep the room dark, your voice low and the whole experience to the point - no games, little interaction. As for sleeping on your shoulder or co-sleeping... a word to the wise... [i'>there's nothing wrong with it[/i'> (as long as you're not under the influence). You will find in many situations you do what you have to do - maybe not ideal, but necessary at the time.
41
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 21:54
Hi, I just want to say I feel for you! My DS is 8weeks now and we had our rough (sleep) patches too. Have you heard about the EASY routine? We have been following it (as a sort of guideline, he is still to small for routine) since last week and his sleep has improved so much! He used to be screaming the minute I wanted to put him down (day & night) It still takes time, swaddling, swinging, cuddling to get him to sleep but he does sleep & is much happier. In short, his days are more predictable so he sort of expects sleep time (or so I think) I also gave bedtime over to DH, so DS does not keep looking for b**b and settles quicker. It's also nice for the two of them bond. Best of luck and hope it will get better soon!
 
 

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