Just that really. I need some positivity as I'm at the end of my tether. My mental health is suffering and I feel physically frail as a result of sleep deprivation.
DD is 18 weeks (5 weeks prem but seems to be hitting milestones as expected) and has always been a crap sleeper but it was getting better until 16 week when everything went to shit!
I spend all day trying to encourage her to nap and she will go down in her cot awake and put herself to sleep but hasn't had a nap longer than 30mins in the past 2 weeks. She always naps on the school run 3-3.30 and won't nap after that so is a misery from about 4pm onwards. I have another child to make dinner for, one that I haven't seen all day and our relationship is suffering.
She then pretty much passes out around 6.30pm after her bath and used to sleep until about midnight. Now she wakes up about 9/10 and every 60-90mins after that.
She will go straight back to sleep after I breastfeed her (nothing else will suffice, she's starting to take a bottle before bed but won't entertain it in the night) then it's hit and miss as to whether I can put her back in her next to me crib or we end up co sleeping (following safety guidance but I'd still rather not do it).
I'm a walking zombie. I feel like I could pass out regularly throughout the day. I can't nap as she doesn't nap and I have another child to get to school and in the evening.
My other daughter slept through the night from 8 weeks. She was breastfed as well so I'm not convinced that moving over to formula is the answer (although many people are suggesting it may be) I'm happy to give her formula before bed though if it would make a difference. All I want is more than an hour sleep in one go!!
Advice/stories/empathy most appreciated!