So tired I actually don't think I'm safe to look after my children

[NoCapes]

DS2 turns 7 months this week and his sleeping is just getting worse and worse as time goes on

He gets up around 12 times a night
There are nights when it's every half an hour or less
He is absolutely fine to settle and it doesn't take long to get him back off, he just won't stay asleep!

During the day I'm starting to feel really horrific now, I have a permanent headache, I take probably way too paracetamol/ibuprofens to get through the day
I'm in a permanent state of semi-spaced-out-ness, sometimes I'll drive and can't remember the journey home (I've stopped driving as much as I possibly can with kids in the car now)
The baby climbed out of his chair today and banged his head on the wooden floor, I was nearby but my reflexes just aren't up to it anymore and I wasn't quick enough to catch him

I just don't understand why he won't sleep
We've done everything we did with our other kids, revert thing is dark and quiet half an hour before bedtime, he has a bath every other night and the nights he doesn't have a bath he just gets into his pj's, we have a bottle, he falls asleep very easily
This has been our routine since he was about 8 weeks old
We've moved it earlier and later, tried giving bottle upstairs and downstairs, but nothing changes
He just won't sleep
But he is tired

Sorry for the ramblings, I need help
What else can I do?

We're doing really well Diddly
The last 2 nights he got up 6 times, so a massive improvement
He doesn't seem to be able to sleep longer than 3 hours, and the moment he stirs he needs someone to settle him back down, but we'll work on that eventually
He's only been having 1 bottle in the night (sometimes split into 2 feeds, but still better) he isn't having much more milk during the day though which is worrying me a bit

But on the whole much better, and DP ever so slightly better

You lot really have saved my sanity and I can not thank you all enough

I think you'll find that it'll transfer or he'll eat more solids. So glad it's improving

We are going through the exact same thing. This thread has been really helpful and given me hope. I'm just as exhausted OP. It is so hard!

Does he feed himself to sleep at the start of the night? If he does, I would suggest that this is the thing to crack as he will expect this when he wakes throughout the night.
I would echo what others have said about sleep consultant if you can afford it and also possible medical issue causing pain. When did it start?Could it be reflux or something he is eating causing discomfort? He may be distracted from it during the day but it might be enough to stop him sleeping at night.
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I was on this thread because of having similar problems with 4 month old who has been waking every hour, at least for the past three weeks and I am about to go doolally with tiredness. In a perverse way, it is good not to be alone.

Sympathies dontfence & teacher it is really really hard isn't it

Just thought I'd do a little update (if anyone still cares)
I hope I'm not speaking too prematurely but... I think I've fixed him!!

The last 3 nights he's got up 3 times, the night before that 4 times
He's taking his bottles all at once
And he's having two hour/hour and a half naps during the day - in his cot!!
I did a whole host of different things from this thread so I don't know if it was one thing in particular or if it was a combination of everything but he is so much happier and more settled and content now

I am just so grateful - you are all amazing!

Not sure if this has been mentioned but perhaps establish a bit of a routine with bottles and milk during the day too?? We had a terrible time with our DS sleeping, and not out of the woods yet, but introduced a few things:

-dummy on a dummy chain and for bedtime only. Stroke his hand up the chain to reach the dummy to put it back himself (takes a few practices for them, but they get it!)

-same quiet, relaxation cd on in his room EVERY night. It became his cue to sleep and still does! Now leave it on repeat all night (Argos loves me as we're on our third cd player.....)

-nightlights, cool room, right tog grobag and in his own room around 6 months and we ALL slept better. Also, I had to ensure he took a daytime nap as, if he didn't, it all went to shit that night. We have tried CIO methods and that really did work 80% of the time as he was just giving off. You just know when they're crying in pain or distress, and bad dreams can play a part as well as separation anxiety from this age on.

-Wonderweeks??? Enjoyed reading this and DS followed the pattern every time. He could be waking up to explore the new crawling he's doing, after all?

-screwed down floorboards, WD40 the doors and warned everyone to STF-up while baby was sleeping! No visitors and now don't disturb his routine for anyone!

Sending sleepy vibes to you OP; this too shall pass and it WILL get better xx

just seen update - well done!!! Take that, zombie zone!

take that zombie zone love that!
Thanks Capricorn

I had one like this - am trying to remember what we actually did but I think I have blanked it out.

ok she fed every for 20 mins every 30 mins for the first 4 months (round the clock that is so I got 10 mins off every 30 mins......) so I really share your pain.

she had a dummy which at 8 months I took off her because of sleep issues. I think we had 2 horrific nights (but yours can't get any worse) and then it got better. however she did chew on her teddy's nose instead but SHE put it there and SHE was in control of that and didn't seem to need it in the same way. whatever they go to sleep doing they wake up expecting to be doing.

I can't remember much more than that though I am afraid.

we did use one of those light projecting things on the ceiling with nice pretty music (remote controlled - I didn't even need to get out of bed for that one, and I loved it - I would still use it now if we still had it I am sure, it sent me to sleep every time)

looking back, she did have reflux, had it until she was 7 years old so perhaps that didn't help with her settling. could you put the mattress up slightly at one end in case that helps. can't hurt.