Please tell me it gets better...

[Tash28]

I am exhausted to the point where I can feel I'm becoming manic and am physically drained. My ds is 5 months and not sleeping through, he was really good and was doing 8-7 and then just stopped and he's now up at least 3x per night, each time requiring lots of time to get back off. We put him in his nursery last week so I'm aware this may be contributing. I'm at my wits end. Please tell me it gets better eventually or even better any tips much appreciated! I need some spurring that eventually there will be a time I get some rest! Very self indulgent and feel sorry for me thread!

It's hard. They forget to tell you that. It can be really hard. Don't beat yourself up though. Lack of sleep brings out the worse in us all and can make you feel lousy at best. And yes it does get better but can take time. Growth spurts, changes in routine in fact any change in baby's life causes disruptions but stick to routines where possible and baby will get back into routine. Try rest/doze/cat nap when possible. Don't be ashamed if you need to ask for help even if it's a friend/family/partner taking baby for an hour or so for you to catch up on sleep. Before you know it hazy 2am wake ups will be part if the past :)

Thanks make , at least if there's light at the end of the tunnel it's a start, he's a bit of a bugger...will sleep through if co sleeping which we had to for a few days until his nursery was finished! I feel like its a battle of wills!

It gets better. You are probably right about the nursery, but be aware that also, they just go through mad little phases where everything is off kilter and it's nothing you've (a) done or (b) can 'cure'.

My DC2 is 5mo and has been doing 'normal' nights but randomly tonight has been awake til about 10 minutes ago. Who knows why? I have no idea. The sleep disturbance does cause you to feel like shit, but honest to god, it's so, so fleeting that they are so small, you will manage and he will get over it.

My only 'tips' would be to keep doing what you do at night to put him to bed, don't panic if he doesn't settle, go to bed mega early a couple of nights a week (at the same time as him!), don't spend your evenings 'trying' to put him to sleep. I put DD to bed about 8; she didn't settle, so I gave up and got her up. Put her in a wrap because I had to pop out, made myself some food, now she's crashed out on my lap and I am happily MNetting and watching The Great Australian Bake Off on Youtube. We co-sleep so I'll just take her to bed when I go; if she was in a cot, I'd settle her before knocking off to bed myself. If she was in a cot, and wouldn't settle, I'd sneak her into my bed for the evening just until she was through whatever phase it is that means she didn't want to go to bed alone. Don't worry about forming habits - if they don't suit you, you can form new ones just as easily.

I know that everyone says it and I've even said it myself already - but this will be over in the blink of an eye. Don't sweat it, it's totally normal and it's not because there is something wrong with the baby or something wrong with what you are doing. Find a way to survive this phase - Australian Bake off is part of my own strategy -and be kind to yourself in the mean time. We have a rampaging toddler who is happy to go bed, sleeps though, even sleeps through the baby waking! And he was no different the baby at this age, but I do remember worrying endlessly about what I should be 'doing'. The answer is always, always, 'as little as possible;' whatever it is will most likely settle of its own accord as long as you stay steady.

Thanks sparkly boots, I think in going to do the whole if he's not settling give up the ghost as last night was a 3 hour slog!

I enjoy him immensely it's just the physical and psychological effect that sleep deprivation has. I literally turn into a maniac!

No to phernergan then?! Lol!

It definitely gets better. Lack of sleep just drains you.

My teens are lovely

We are just coming out the other side of this. DD is 6 months on Monday. We had 4 month sleep regression then a cold then a growth spurt and my 'slept like dream from 7 weeks' baby went back to waking 3-4 times a night. We've just turned a corner the last few nights.

All you can do is ride it out. A consistent bedtime routine helps and I agree, some nights go to bed when he does!

we find if our DD is a bit cold then she wakes, always has done. it has been a little colder these last few days and that may be affecting your DS too.