8 months in and still not sleeping more than 2hours at a time. Walking zombie

[louise987]

Basically just that. DD is 8months

Naps are fine, all in her cot, for between 40m-2hrs. One morning nap, short catnap at lunch (often on the go) then afternoon nap. Bedtime at 7, all fine. Then it's pot luck, either - if I'm lucky I get a 2hr block, but wake ups are anywhere between 30-90mins apart. We sometimes get a 2hr block at the start of the night. Always up for the day between 5.30-6, which I don't mind as we we normally early risers.

At wake ups I'm 90% feeding to sleep 10% rocking to sleep.

Average wake ups per night is probably 10. I'm shattered. I also have DD4 so don't get much downtime. My physical and mental health is suffering now. I don't know what to do.

Can't do any CIO - not my bag and DD4s room is next door. Rocking to sleep often quits due to the time it takes to stop her crying and me not wanting to wake DD4. Back to work soon and DREADING it.

Anyone been there and survived this? Do I opt for Sleep training or natural resolution?

Yes. DD was the same. Got better from about 9 months and by 18 months slept through.

The trick for us was slow retreat at bedtime so she learned to self settle.

But full sympathy it's shit.

And don't try going back to work until she's sleeping. I went back at 9 months and almost fell over. I remember being in a meeting and seeing stars.

Urgh, sorry to hear this. I'd have cracked up by now, well done you.

How much is she eating/drinking milk during the day?

Also, what's your bedtime routine?

Where does she sleep?

Could she be waking because blanket is coming off, and a grobag could help?

Room too hot or cold? Xx

Sleeping in her own cot thankfully. Room temp has been warm recently but have modified clothes to suit.

Not eating loads in the day, but improving. Doesn't really BF during the day, only at naptimes and sometimes in the afternoon when I feel full.

Hopeful that more real food will eventually mean more sleep for her.

Thanks for the sympathy. I feel like I've been on a two week party marathon, but without the fun memories to show for it! So tired. Diet is pants as I can't muster the thought energy to eat better and my body is craving energy. Keep telling myself it will get better. It will get better.

@usersouthcoast using a sleeping bag and a nappy atm

She does roll around a lot which I think sometimes wake her and she gets wedged in corners of her cot so I need to go in an reposition her.

Daren't ever leave her cry too long in case she's in an awkward position! (Don't have video monitor)

@ThinkAboutItTomorrow did the do the whole 'put down while drowsy' thing then gradually leave her? How long did it take to work? I have a feeling she'd roll over then just stare at me. Then pretend she can't roll back - or perhaps my mind thinking she's more manipulative than she is!

It took about 6 weeks and was pretty painful. Basically I just edged away a minuscule amount every 3 nights. So went from asleep with me more or less cuddling her in her cot (back breaking) to an arm, then a hand then a lighter hand then my hand next to her just touching, just not touching, in the cot then very gradually edged towards the door...

Just 'lying her down while drowsy' always struck me as the cruelest joke on new parents. My DD has some sort of internal spirit level that set off a very noisy alarm whenever horizontal.

DD 2 was much easier in the early days but then still wakes once a night most nights at 3.5 so win some lose some!