To cry in a ball on the floor of DD2s bedroom

[GinnyLovesGin]

Because it is 2.35am and she just will not go the fuck to sleep.

She’s 7 months old has a cough. I know it’s not her fault but my patience is wearing thin. I have tried everything. She is exhausted. Eventually dozed off and then coughs herself awake two mins later and shouts and bawls till I go through and put her dummy back in. She has been like this since 11pm.

Please send help. And maybe some coffee. Husband fast asleep as he has a big court appearance tomorrow so I don’t want to disturb him (DD1 currently asleep in our bed on top of him so he’s suffering a little bit at least) but OMG this is so hard. I could throw up I’m so tired.

[sycamore54321]

* As soon as I leave the room she starts squeaking through the monitor.*

Can you rig up some kind of floor bed for you with cushions or whatever mattress your eldest isn't using, and a duvet? So at least you can semi doze where she can still know you are there? And if she does sleep, you don't need to worry about creeping out of the room and risking waking her again?

It sounds so tough. Most parents know that sleep deprived feeling but having company doesn't make it any easier. I also like to listen to an audio book or poscast, nothing too taxing, while doing those interminable late night vigils if I can't doze myself. It makes the hours pass more bearably.

Best wishes.

[AnnaL82]

@Ginny what did your doctor find/recommend?

I glued myself to the phone since 8.30 am when lines opened but I managed to get through only 8.50 when all spots were taken, and learnt nothing new from the following advice call. I really would like his lungs to be listened to. I told DH to make the call tomorrow, he is more persuasive

[PippyPop123]

My 6 month old is asleep but I'm awake as I can't get back to sleep how does that work?!

[ChristmasAccountant]

Jumping in, 15 month old with suspected chicken pox here. Will not sleep. I'm dead on my feet.
Hoping for some respite soon for everyone!!

[readysteadyteddy]

Toddler with cold here, miserable and waking upset needing to blow his nose every 20 minutes. He's being brave but it's horrid.

[Countingsheeeep]

Wide awake here too, just fed my 1 year old who only took half and oz before bed due to teething. Dh woke me at 130am to tell.me he was feeling sick and went downstairs as to not disturb baby. Has been throwing up loudly every hour since (poor dh). Wide awake in bed at 33.2 weeks pregnant, aching legs from spd, heart burn, wiggling baby...iv given up hope of anymore sleep tonight as DD will be awake in an hour and a half :(

[readysteadyteddy]

Waitingonasmile I used to put my warm tshirt in with DS when he was a baby and I transferred him to cot. Worked sometimes.

[Eatalot]

Reading this rocking 6week olds crib who just wont get the fuck to sleep. Bought humidifier a few days ago for stuffy nose and cough and works really well. Worth an investment if you dont have one op.

[user1483387154]

7 month old teething is waking every hour for food and comfort. Normally every 2 hours which is exhausting enough but the realisation I haven't had a full nights sleep in over a year due to difficult pregnancy makes me want to cry

[Rainbowqueeen]

Would she sleep on you if you are sitting in a chair propped up by cushions?

Sympathy, I remember those days well but not fondly! Just do what you can to get through the night and plan what kind of sugar you will eat in bulk tomorrow to keep you going.

And I second the Vicks suggestion if you have it. Works a treat

[Introvertedbuthappy]

My 2 year old has never slept through. He's been getting up at 1am for the day the last week. I've just brought him downstairs. He doesn't nap, he's happy - only seems to need 4-5 hours a night. Doctors think I'm lying so refuse to help. DH gets up with him 1-4.

[Wingingit321]

That was me Saturday Sunday night. Turns out he has croup. Still has a temp today but he slept better

[Timetogetup0630]

Sorry for you all.
Had this many times. I sent my MiL out to get cough medicine and she came back and cheerfully said " I got the NON drowsy sort" ....

Kids are teenagers now and will sleep 16 hours if not woken up !

[PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks]

Can you bring her into your bed?

[hannahbanana2007]

I would definitely recommend the calpol plug in menthol thing, will try and find a link. It has an impregnated pellet thing that goes inside and then releases vapours which I find really helps my LO's coughs, it is a lifesaver otherwise he wakes himself every time he coughs too

[hannahbanana2007]

www.sainsburys.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/gb/groceries/calpol-vapour-plug-refills-x5-6622330-p-44?langId=44&storeId=10151&krypto=Q9opnaKpdbwhJN5J4phW8BDMGeQKYnrMA3Kt2YS8C%2BULmMlqtyU%2FT16ZgzFwy3l%2FFugQdMsWWeKYEjDKd%2FOJe3YqgWShIdtr2WK59%2BC03DfVcn8mq2dL0Na6z%2BojBsYc&ddkey=https%3Agb%2Fgroceries%2Fcalpol-vapour-plug-refills-x5-6622330-p-44

[CrohnicallyEarly]

9 month old here, no idea why but she wouldn't sleep last night either.

We had her in our bed because she was just screaming in her cot. DH slept while I rocked/fed/put dummy in/whatever until 2 am, then he took DD out the way while I slept.

Unfortunately my sleep slot was disturbed by DD1 having a nightmare.

I'm at work today. I think I'll be surviving on coffee.

[Rufffles]

Thanks @ginnylovesgin - the shift thing makes total sense, and we’re up for that in principle, but how might it work if he’s desperate for a feed (or seems to be....) 5 mins into my husband’s shift? We are EBF and sometimes he seems to need a little feed just to calm down, and that’s the ONLY thing that’ll work. I can’t decide how I feel about making him wait up to an hour for me to come back ‘on duty’.

Any tips very welcome!

And I hope some of the other mummies on here have managed to get some zzzzzs since they posted!

[minmooch]

Sometimes I think it's easier if you accept that you won't sleep, make yourself comfy and let your body relax. You may not get sleep but allow your body to rest.

Both my boys were genuinely good sleepers but my eldest became terminally ill at 16 and I was his carer 24 hours a day. I didn't sleep for 2 and half years. I was either in hospital with him, on the floor by his bed, or downstairs on the pullout with him. The only way I got through was to accept that no sleep was ok if at least I asked my body to lay still for a good few hours.

This stage will pass, soon they will not need you to sooth them. In the grand scheme of things this is a relatively short time. If they are poorly just bed down on the floor by them and get them through the next few nights.

It's hard to exist on little sleep but you can do it. X

[Esspee]

Do find strength in the knowledge that eventually the memory of sleepless nights fades as you finally reach normality.
I know I didn't get a decent night's sleep with no.1 until he was 14 moths but, like childbirth, the details of those days are thankfully lost.

[Snowysky20009]

We used to put a folded towel under the head of the mattress just to raise them and help them breath easier- I don't know if that's still recommended?

Also we found plugs in's really helped!

for all you mummies!

Remember- today sleep when they do! Cleaning and washing can wait another day!

[Snowysky20009]

minmooch

[ImListening]

minmooch

Sleep deprivation will pass - I used to just put them in bed with me.

Mine are teens now but dd2 was very unwell following botched surgery a few years ago - we slept in the same room for about a year so I could anticipate her needs.

[BellMcEnd]

Not read the whole thread so apologies if this has been already mentioned:

My middle DC has asthma and is prone to dry coughs that are worse at night (I’m NOT diagnosing your baby, btw!) We found a humidifier worked AMAZINGLY well for him. Ours is the Vicks one and we bought it from Argos. It made an enormous difference almost immediately.

Good luck. Sleep deprivation is horrid

[GeorgeTheHippo]

Poor you OP.

Can I agree with those who have said
Steam
Vicks vaporub
Prop her up somehow