Can't take much more of this!

[Malachite]

I have an eight month old dd and her sleep seems to be getting worse not better. I've had her checked out by the dr and he said she's fine and some babies are just bad sleepers.

She was sleeping for longer and longer stretches (often up to 5 hours) until she was 5 months old but then got a cold and was up all night for a week. Since then her sleep has been awful. Last night her longest stretch of sleep was 40 minutes. I am usually up with her for 30-60 minutes between each period of sleep, but sometimes longer.

She has 3 naps of 30-40 mins during the day, though she has started to drop her morning nap sometimes now.

I don't agree with leaving babies to cry so please don't suggest that, but if anyone has any other ideas I would love to hear them. I have to go back to work soon and I'm barely coping now, I won't be able to work in this state!

just posted something along these lines, poor you I feel your pain! I know co sleeping isnt everyone's ideal but it works for some and sometimes can just be for a few months. especially whikst they have so many sleep regressions and developmental changes around this time. My friend did this with her daughter at 8 months and by 12 months she went back to her own bedroom no probs, it only took 2 nights to adjust. she also said it was a nice way to reconnect after being at work.

other than that have you heard of pick up put down? its probably in loads of threads here and seems to be gentler than cry it out. i like the no cry sleep solution book too, by elizabeth pantley although i havent figured out what to do yet!

good luck