I’m stuck. DD is almost 9 months and we've tried all sorts to get bedtime (and nights!) to improve, but it just isn’t working. Until about 6/7 months she would happily either feed to sleep or self settle in the evening, but something suddenly switched and now I just can’t get her to go to sleep at bedtime unless she’s been awake since lunchtime when she’s just so knackered she sparks out. My theory is just that she is just way too interested in life, but it’s resulting in 90 minute bedtimes, an upset baby and me at the end of my tether with no relaxation time at all. I’m not after a miracle and would happily feed to sleep if it worked, but it doesn’t any more! I can deal with giving her a feed a couple of times in the night so no designs on a full night’s sleep, and I know she is still little, but I really need to crack getting her to go to sleep a bit quicker.
We’ve tried gradual retreat, but she just will not lie down and sleep with me in the room (I gave it 2 hours several times), I won’t consider CIO, and a very half-hearted attempt at CC resulted in her getting more hysterical when I went in to comfort her after an allotted amount of time and left again. PUPD doesn’t work as she doesn’t get upset if I’m there, she just also doesn’t go to sleep - so no reason to pick up which I suspect would just stimulate her more anyway.
What options do I have left?! We can’t continue like this, I’m back at work and struggling, and DH works away a lot so not much chance to hand over and get a break even though he is willing and supportive. Just not sure what else to try...