I need some sleep! | ExpatWoman.com
 

I need some sleep!

138
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 September 2011 - 11:04

My 10 month DS wakes up every morning between 5 and 6 (this morning at 4:45). Any ideas on how I can get him to sleep later? It doesn't seem to matter what time I put him to bed or the length of his naps during the day. My DH gets home from work around 1am and I usually wake up then too. I also have a 3 year old who doesn't go to bed until 8 or 9. Plus my 10 month old has taken to waking in the night around 2 or 3 (I think because he's teething right now). I seem to be having a hard time getting more than a couple of hours sleep at a time and I'm exhausted!! I'm a stay at home mom and my days are so long right now. It's hard to be happy and playful with the kids (I'm also 9 weeks pregnant so extra tired from that!!) during the day. Any ideas?? I don't see an end in sight - especially with the third on the way - maybe in a couple of years I'll get a good night's sleep?!?

74
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 September 2011 - 14:01
I feel for you, hun--it sounds like you've got your hands full and newly pregnant! I don't know how you feel about binkies/dummies, but we have used this from about six months on with our daughter and it has really helped with a better quality sleep for her. It's called a wubbanub http://www.wubbanub.com/ and it is part binky/part teething soother. Because it is attached to a cuddly animal, she can reach for it easily in the crib and put it back in her mouth if she wakes during the night (she twirls her fingers around it and it is very soothing for her). She also reaches for it in the morning when she wakes up and it keeps her happy for at least a good 20 minutes as she wakes up. We bought ours in the States, so I am not sure if the exact toy is available here. But, there's bound to be a substitute of some kind? My DD REALLY loves hers and now it is a great cue for sleep and naps. When the wubbanub comes out, she knows it's time for sleep! I also make the room really dark for her, and that has helped her sleep longer. You could try black out curtains. I was so desperate at one point that I just taped black garbage bags to the windows while waiting for the curtains to arrive. Unsightly? Yes! Cheap and effective? Also, yes! Oh! And also, I keep the room temp pretty cool for her (22C) and I use sleep sacks so she can't kick off the covers. Good luck, and hope this helps.
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 September 2011 - 12:38
and presumably if DH works late he starts late so can he give you a break before he goes to work so you can have a nap?
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 September 2011 - 12:37
white noise and total blackout in the babies room, you'd think later bedtime = later sleep-in but it seems to work the opposite way, so try bringing bedtime earlier. If you have a spare room maybe DH could sleep there so as not to wake you?
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY