No sleep, no naps, no sanity

[thecattleareALOHing]

How did this happen?

OK, Millpond sleep clinic have published a book on sleep problems which might be good. I think the one I have seen might be 'solving children's sleep problems' by lyn quine - it seemed very well researched and evidence based and gave lots of different options for sleep training approaches - including more gradual/gentle options. both on amazon if you search 'sleep problems'
think you do need to grasp a nettle here really....sleep deprivation no fun at all, as you know...

Will your DS be starting in reception in Jan, Aloha - if so, that would give you a chance to tackle dd's daytime sleeps, wouldn't it?

Alternatively, could DS watch a video or DVD for 20 mins while you get DD to sleep? Not ideal I know, but maybe the lesser of two evils? I know that I have found with my DSs that getting the daytime sleep cracked does help with the nighttime settling, too.

Not until september! And no, he will not stay in the sitting room with a video on his own for 20 minutes. Believe me, I've tried it.

Oh dear. That would drive me mad.

I wish he would watch more telly or films, I truly do!

Wish I could think of something helpful to suggest! What about school nursery - DS2 has been doing full days at school nursery this term.

does he go to preschool? would he sit and look at a book instead (with hefty bribery)? Clutching at straws here....

What about white noise? Had to put my 7 month in cot tired and crying today but I also had to hoover the landing (visitors). Had the effect of a) not hearing her and b) she knew I was there. Switched hoover off and she was asleep.

7-month old

do you have a garden? my dd (20 months now) has never really liked napping in her cot but she does like to be in the buggy, and especially outdoors, even in winter. at 9 months I would put her out in the garden and she'd go straight off to sleep in a way she wouldn't in her cot.

alternatively, how about some daytime childcare to give you a break? then she might not sleep but you'd get more rest.

Tinker, you hoovered?

Aloha, sympathy, dd didn't sleep until she was 13 months or something and we were knackered, absolutely beside ourselves. I got loads of great suggestions here, I'll see if the thread has anything useful and if it does I'll post a link. Sympathy, I remember how awful it was at the time. For the last while though she's slept from 7.30 - 7 or 7.30am so it can improve!

here was my old thread, it was 15 months she didn't sleep for, it was HELL!

many sympathies - DD only started sleeping through (till 5am) at 10mths, and has just these last two months gone longer in the morning. But she did go down in her cot from 3mths. Personally I would try really hard to get her in the cot as co-sleeping drives me nuts but appreciate that may not be easy.

Re your DS - I get DS to stay in his room while I give DD her final feed and what I say to him is, if you stay in your room, and don't come up, I will give you an extra story in my bed ALONE while DD goes to sleep (they share the room). And then we have a special cuddle and then I herd him back to the bedroom with dire threats of being quiet and setting a good example to DD. Could you try someting similar? Small reward for staying put? If DS can't stand it anymore, he does come up but I make him sit on the stairs on the landing and he doesn't get the story.

Aloha is DH off over Christmas? Would it be at all possible to tackle the naps then? One of you occupy or even take out DS and the other work on DD?

aloha, i would go to a sleep clinic, i really would. with the best will in the world, you will get dozens of different tips/suggestions here, many of which will contradict eachother, or you will already have tried them. i really think it's one for the experts. unless you are prepared to keep on saying "this too shall pass".

well, BK, I shall read www's thread very carefully first, and in the new year if all is still crap shall seriously consider a maternity nurse type person. Does anyone have any recommendations? Seriously.