I need sleep!!!

[Catdogmouse1]

Please somebody say something to encourage me. Ive posted before about my toddler and sleep but im really becoming so disheartened and feel ill so much of the time, and end up crying most nights through exhaustion (im pregnant as well). Shes been up now since 10pm and showing no signs of going over- shes only had a couple hours sleep. Im just so shattered from working full time and was up at 2am last night with her and it took her so long 2 sleep that by the time she settled my alarm was going off 4 work. I cant keep on like this. When her dad tries 2 take over it ends up in such a big drama that it just isnt worth it- she majorly plays him up. Same during the day she whinges and moans with him until he gives in- then i crack up with him but thats a whole different story- if the sleep could get better id b ok

It's hard to give any practical advice but Little Ones sleep guide is very good. Sometimes when you're so tired you just need someone to tell you what to do! It could help your DP to get in more of a routine with her.

What is her sleep and routine like during the day?

I'm sorry, sounds ver very hard ❤️

Is she teething by any chance? My toddler was really bad with his sleeping when his molars were coming through. Has she always been like that with sleep?

Shes always been awful but its worse again. She dropped naps at least a year ago, she would quite happily lie on in the morning when shes had a split night but i have 2 waken her to get out 4 work so i know she needs more sleep than shes getting then from after 5pm sges shattered. Theres no way of introducing a nap again- she will not go down when its light at all. Shes up again after being asleep 2 whole hours. I just need a break 4 a couple nights 2 recharge but i know its just going 2 get harder with a baby as well which is making me not enjoy this pregnancy at all, and both my toddler and this wee one r ivf babies and v much wanted and loved, but i just need a bit more sleep from my almost 3 year old toddler

Sending loads of hugs to you mama! I know it must be tough incredibly hard for you. I remember when my toddler won’t sleep I was just so tired. 😩 specially doing it when pregnant must be hard for you. I really hope she starts to sleep more.
there are these sleep patches I have always heard about don’t know if they are good maybe try something like that?
really hope it gets better for you soon! xx

And yet again another awful night. Im burnt out, and ready 2 seriously give up. I just need her 2 sleep, i cant b up 4 hours and b pregnant and work. My husband has just made it infintely worse 2night by sitting with her instead of putting her back down and stepping out. Weve now had tantrums galore trying 2 leave her 2 self settle. Shes now so far past sleep i dont think she will ever go over. Im shattered, back is throbbing from pregnancy, hearrburn is awful and feel like ill b sick again. Not 2 mention ill now have an underested crabby toddler 2 contend with who will prob still b awake at 6 tomorrow- i mean today at this point, if she ever does fall asleep in the first place. And all the other parents who gloat that they have great wee sleepers and i should do x y and z..... well ive done all that and none of it changes a single thing. Ahhhhhhh so frustrated

How old is your toddler? Can.only begin to imagine how exhausted you are! My awful sleeper would keep me up multiple times at night and I struggled just working part time so I sympathise. Mine was EBF and I think pregnancy dried me up so toddler just slept better one night. And gradually stopped waking so much. I don't really know how it happened although it did kind of tie in with my pregnancy and toddler dropping their day nap. I hope you get some rest soon.

Shes just turned 3. She might sleep beautifully 2 nights in the week, but the rest of the time can.be awful. She woke at 6 so i have managed 3 hours sleep in bed and maybe a dose on the sofa in front of the tv b4 that. Feel v ill 2day

I would consider a referral to the sleep clinic. DS was an horrendous sleeper fortunately a very sympathetic doctor prescribed him something to make him sleep and referred him.
Oh the bliss of him being " knocked out " his sleep did eventually resolve itself following the clinic's advice.

I may as well not bother going to bed or sleeping, sure whol needs 2 sleep? Uo since midnight, and i know she will b awake again come 6 oclock. By the time she falls asleep and i manage 2 drift off it will b time 2 get up. I feel so ill. Nothing works- all the internet strategies do nothing. I need a break for a few nights b4 baby comes, and i just need her 2 sleep 4 herself 2.... its not healthy 4 her 2 b up

What time is usual bedtime and what is bedtime routine like?
Can you go for a lie down as soon as she's first asleep to get a little more rest then or is that not feasible? How involved is Dad in bedtime and overnight?
How about booking yourself a night or 2 away and letting Dad get on with it so you get some r&r?

Oh dear, sounds ok she gets stuck in the overtired trap! Bit of a nightmare when it happens.

Is she upset when she wakes, or just acting like shes had a nap and now wants to be up for a bit? If the latter, can DH get up with her for a bit and play quietly downstairs, then wake you after an hour or two and you settle her? Means you're not up for as long at least. Do you have any one else that can settle her e.g. ask your mum to come for a visit? If your mum can sleep during the day she might do a couple of crap night's without issue.

What is your job? If yoive had a really awful night, are you able.to take a morning off sick? Can you bring maternity leave forwards at all so you have a bit of time off work before baby is born?

Thanks everybody, shes got a really good routine- bath, book, calming music, no dummy, night light, big girl bed, usually down around 7pm- everything suggested. She will not nap during the day- hasnt done for over a year. Her dad helps but my stupid mummy head gets startled awake and cant settle until she settles. She stays in her bed but just sporadically calls out 4 me- if i dont go in she gets in a state, so we usually do a handhold and 1 song, and i go out, then repeat many times until shes over. Theres no way you could ignore her- it will turn in2 an almighty tantrum, so in and out is the lesser of 2 evils. Annoyingly its my birthday today and im shattered. Im a teacher so cant really take off until my maternity date, im off this week but its just her and me all day- dad works long hours with his commute. Shes got so much energy to burn, we try and get out and do lots of activities every day but potty training this week as well so bit stuck 2 the house

Ah, so no flexibility on timing then (also a teacher, as you can tell from the username. Also potty training this week!). Hope youre getting at least a bit of a break.

I really would try and work on your DH being in charge of settling her. Is there space in her room for a bed for him? When my boys were little my DH slept in DDs room - he got more sleep that way, and DD had company if she woke. You wont want to be in a position where you have to choose between her and newborn, much better all round if she gets used to DH before baby comes so she doesnt feel shes being replaced.

Happy birthday!

So sorry you're going through this.

We used Nicola and she saved us, honestly!

www.childsleepsolutions.co.uk/

@Catdogmouse1 she would definitely be able to help you