After mat leave but baby still isn't sleeping

[Pippinsqueak]

Hi

My 8 month old daughter has never slept well since birth, think bad pretty much all the time then growth spurts and regressions hit and it gets even worse.

She is exclusively breast fed which was my choice (first time mum) she will not take bottles and too late to start formula. I have done everything in my power to get her to sleep and waiting on a sleep referral.

My problem is, is that I have to return to work three days a week in a month time and I can barely function as a human being as it is without throwing work into the mix.

Has anyone had a similar experience and/or any advice.

Thanks

[NerrSnerr]

I have been back at work 18 months and my toddler is still a terrible sleeper. It's tough but I get through with coffee and early nights. If breastfeeding can your partner get up with her in the morning so you can get a bit more sleep before work (if she's an early riser)

[QueenEnid]

This probably isn't exactly what you want to hear but maybe it will give you some reassurance.

Babies aren't robots. There is no magic wand or formula to say that if you do X they will sleep through the night/eat all their food/whatever.

Hang in there. It's tough, I know. But they do have days/weeks of not sleeping in the same pattern they normally do. It could be down to development or illness or simply just one of those things!

You aren't doing anything "wrong". There's no such thing as a "rod for your own back" either. Do whatever you can to make it as easy as possible for you.

Last night, when my son was awake 2-5 (he's nearly 2) we went downstairs and put the tv on. You've got to do what you've got to do. Normally he sleeps fine but he's got a horrid cough at the min and he's miserable with it. It will pass

[BeanBag7]

She might start to take a bottle when she's at nursery and it's the only option. She might never take a bottle from you but might accept it from your partner- so maybe you could share night shifts. It's not too late to start formula, she could have it for 4 months and then go on to cows milk. I went back to work at 10 months and my DD had formula in childcare for 4 weeks and then went on to cows milk.