DD has never been a good sleeper, but the last few nights have taken the biscuit. On Sat night she woke at midnight and didn't go back to sleep until 4am, then up at 6am. Unsurprisingly she wanted to nap by 9am.
On Sun and Mon night she was up for 1.5 hours then awake and ready to go at 5am. Tues for 2 hours, up at 6am and last night for nearly 3 hours (up at 6.40am). I was so shattered I am ashamed to say that after about 1.5 hours I just ignored her. I just lay there listening to her howling and calling for me until she fell asleep, feeling utterly angry and bitter. What a miserable, heartless bitch I am.
I have a very full-on work day today then after it I have an evening presentation so on 4 hours sleep last night I have a 13-hour working day - though this isn't usual - normally I am there to get her up and put her to bed every night - I see her for about 3 hours a day.
She doesn't appear to be in pain (three premolars have come through and it was very obvious - red cheeks and drool central). I checked her nappy - she often poos at night and she has to be changed, but nothing. No signs of pain, fever, cuts, scratches, anything really. She gets tired really early the next day so I think she needs more sleep than the 9 or so hours she's getting at the mo.
She is delighted to see me at night and tries to engage me in conversation, waving teddies at me and acting as if it's morning. If I try to lie her back down and settle her she gets furious and pushes me away, whining. If I leave she gets even more upset - of course - full-on drumming-the-heels tantrums.
What the hell is going on, and what do I do? I am worried that if i stay with her until she falls asleep she will expect that all the time and it's simply not feasible, plus my presence seems to excite her. I have tried the 'be boring' advice every night so far but it makes no odds. I don't think anything strange is going on during the day (we have had the same carer since I went back to work, and she adores dd) so what is it?
I am so tired I'm not speaking sense (I just asked my coworker if she would like 'a glass of snake' instead of 'a slice of cake'). I just can't function like this - I'm failing as mum and worker at the mo.
Any advice gratefully received.