Hey all,
I'm new here so I apologise if this thread has already been started elsewhere (I suspect it probably has).
So basically, I have three children - the first two are dreams now - don't get me wrong they didn't start off sleeping through the night, it was a struggle to get there, but by about 6 months they were fab sleepers. The problem, I suppose, is with my youngest. I am not even exaggerating when I say he just doesn't sleep. He's 7 and a 1/2 months old and has never slept longer than 45 mins - this goes for night time too. I am literally beyond exhausted. I work and I'm just about to begin my third year of uni. I feel like I am dying - I can barely keep my eyes open anymore! I normally bring him down in the morning from about 4am as he screams until i lift him out of his cot and with my daughter at school and my partner at work (he works 10 hour days, 6 days a week), they all need their sleep and everyone was becoming ratty.
I just don't know what I am doing wrong - he is in the same routine as my other two, with a bath, massage, 2 books, final feed then into his cot for 7:30. He can get himself to sleep not an issue, but it seems that as soon as he hits 45 mins, he's up wide awake and it takes a while to get him back to sleep.
My partner helps as much as he can, but with a lot of work on, the night times are purely up to me. The health visitor has suggested that I ask someone to look after him for the day and I sleep - but really, this isn't doable because I too have work and now uni assignments to complete. I have thought of giving these up because I feel so miserable and tired, but I don't want to be a failure - I want to stick to my 5-year plan as next year I will have a much better paid job. I've even taken him to the doctors numerous times to see if there is anything wrong, but no he's medically sound!
I don't know I suppose at the end of the day it's a bit of a waiting game. I can't force him to sleep! But if anyone has any ideas, that will be great!