Sleep Crisis

[tortoiseshell]

Ds2 - age 8 months on Monday, is waking 5 or 6 times in the night. Only thing that settles him is some milk. Sometimes he is awake upwards of 3 hours. I am SHATTERED. We have tried 'pick up put down' with dh doing it, so he can't smell milk, but all that happens is he screams louder and doesn't settle, and dh gets really narked with him and me! And I can't sleep while he's screaming anyway.

I could really do with some advice on this - my previous two have been dream sleepers! Thanks!

how do you feel about co-sleeping?

Couldn't do it - would worry far too much about rolling on him - I have thought about it, but I think I wouldn't sleep properly anyway, just in case! I know it's supposed to be fine, but it's just one of the things I'm quite anxious about.

fair enough. dunno what else to suggest though, hope someone else has a bright idea. and you get some sleep soon. .

i used to worry about co-sleeping for the same reasons but through desperation at the 8th month mark went on to start doing it all night long. the only thing i regret now is not doing it sooner.

its not easy at first for the apprehensions you mentioned but within a week you are better at it and feel better for it.

have you seen this leaflet trust your body and your baby. you have evolved to be able to do this.

google up:Dr James McKenna. he has done loads of research on the safety and benefits of co-sleeping. his website will inform you and allay your fears.

I'm with kiskidee and hoxtonchick.
Have been co-sleeping with my 5 month old DD since she was out of the moses basket at 10 weeks (she is a big baby).
DS was smaller but I co-slept with him too.
Getting sleep essential for preserving my sanity!
I would emphasise that DH sleeps in 'our' bed and I am in the spare room double bed with DD. This also allows DH some peaceful sleep as having both of us tired and narky is a recipe for disaster!
HTH and Good luck

I'll have a think about that - I'm not convinced I could co-sleep - I need my own personal space when I'm asleep! But I will read into it.

Does anyone have any 'non-co-sleeping' soloutions that I could try as well?

Thanks for the replies so far!

bump

If he is waking from genuine hunger what is he having before bed?
Maybe you could give him something satisfying like porridge before sleep - it may stop at least some of the earlier wakings.

That's a good idea - ds1 has cereal before bed, so I could try giving him some cereal/porridge, see if it makes a difference!

Hope it helps. I know how desparate it feels when everything you do is trial and error and praying that something works!

last couple of nights have been a bit better - only waking at 1.30 two nights ago, and last night was 2 and 6, but he went back down quickly. I think a bit of cereal at night seems to be helping a bit.

Pleased for you
That tip was given to me by another mner - don't you love the internet!
Extra wakings could be just habit - maybe he'll settle back to sleeping through soon x

We seem to have turned a corner - last night he slept from 8 till 1.30, then woke as we went to bed, had a feed, slept till 8. I can cope with that! Thanks to anyone if they're still reading!