So she's never been a good sleeper but now I feel that we're past the tiny baby stage and I'm still not seeing light at the end of the very looooooong tunnel!
Here's the script;
-naps; not great. Will fall asleep in car/puschair but if at home requires me to get to sleep (she's breastfed)
-without doubt she will waken within 40/50 mins after going to sleep (crying. Standing up in cot). I could set my watch by her. Does this have anything to do with babies sleep pattern? She then requires me to get back to sleep.
-Wakens frequently through the night and won't settle without feed. (Well, I say 'feed' but there's no way she's hungry - it's definitely just comfort)
-in the past I spent a few weeks in the spare room so daddy could help out. We figured if I wasn't actually in the same room then she would perhaps settle more quickly for my husband. This appeared to work but then holidays/sickness/home improvement kicked in and we're back to square one!
-very good bedtime routine. She has a bottle at bedtime, which my husband gives her but if she doesn't fall asleep while taking it then she screams until I take her and help her off to sleep.
I am returning to work this month and I can't believe I've had over a year with very little sleep! (I should add I also have a 4 year old so we are also doing our best not waken him at night). Now I know there are lots of people who have it worse than me but I don't think I can keep going like this. I feel as if I'm not doing my little one any favours in the long run if I constantly help her back to sleep.
I'm not looking for a 12 hour stretch of sleep at night. I'm just wondering what I can do in terms of making slight improvements. Baby steps are fine! Do I take myself back into spare room and leave daddy to deal with baby? Do I keep doing what I'm doing in the hope that it gets better?
Can anyone offer me some friendly advice? If you can, thank you!