Just did CC with DD and I feel terrible

[suzi2]

She had us up almost all night. It used tdo be that cosleeping would help her get some rest, but the last few nights nothing has helped her at all. She's not ill, itches with eczema but in the most, she jsut wants to stay awake all night!

Anyway, at my wits end this morning. Couldn't calm her for a nap. So just went and did CC. She looked at me like she was scared. She screamed for almost 50 mins in total. She was hysterical and tears were everywhere. She scratched her head to bits in a fury.

But she's now sleeping. And still whimpering in her sleep.

Tell me it gets better than this and that she doesn't completely hate me? It really was my last resort as she came so close to being put in the skip at the end of the street last night!

aaarrrghghg, she's just woken after only 25 mins. what do I do???

(I'm assuming she is more than six months)

I'd leave her for a few mins to see if she resettles. If she doesn't, I'd get her up and brace for round two of cc at her next nap

cc does work, she doesn't hate you... but if you want it to work, you have to be prepared to commit to it 100 per cent . Have you got a book to help you do it 'properly'? Ferber is very good

not sure u are supposed to use CC for naps?

suzi - it does work - have faith . how old is your dd? Meeely2, I used cc for naps once i had conquered ds's appalling nighttime sleeps with it. It worked a treat and was not as diff as with nighttime. hth

suzi - I can't promise it will work for you, but it worked for us, including naps. naps took longest to come good though.

To address your last point, my dd is as warm and affectionate as ever towards me, and is a much sunnier baby since she's been getting the sleep she needs.

Most people find that the first night is the worst - so you've already done the hardest bit.

What about setting yourself a time limit? - eg if you don't get down to say 20mins crying in 4 days, you'll stop and maybe try another time.

Also if your DD naps in the buggy, perhaps take her out for a nap (sod the weather). at least then she won't be overtired at bedtime, and might be easier to settle.

Also we bought in lots of wine, chocs, nuts, and all our other favourite comfort foods when doing cc, and this kept me sane. Also ipod!

That sounds awful for you both Don't feel you have to stick it out if your instincts are saying otherwise.

I wonder why she is staying awake at night? How much does she sleep during the day? How old is she?

She didn't go back to sleep. DH tried CC tonight for her sleep but DS kept getting woken and was upset by it, and DH said he couldn't see her in that state any longer so bounced her to sleep in her hammock... took almost an hour of bouncing and then woke after 5 mins but is back down now.

She's 7.5 months and has rarely slept longer than 90 mins in any one go without us needing to help her get back to sleep. She sleeps about 8 or 9 hours overnight all in all. I get about 4-5. She naps for between 45 mins and 2 hours. in the day, again broken up.

We know she needs more sleep and better quality sleep, but we have no idea what to try next to get her to do that. We are totally at our wits end. DH says he'll see to her more tonight so is away to bed now, having not had a chance to get dinner.

I can safely say that if I could return her, I would.

Oh suzi, it sounds really hard. I hope things get better whatever you decide to do. It's so hard with no-one getting enough sleep.

But if CC is going to work, you do have to be dead strict (even though it's the last thing you want to do). If the crying is too much, what about trying gradual withdrawal, or No Cry Sleep Solution?

Or perhaps you could try CC at some point when DS is away (weekend at grandma's, maybe?).

The midwife on the maternity ward told me that the sleeping version was a lot more expensive!

Oh suzi We had a non-sleeper (well, one non-sleeper & one pretty crap. its shoite.
I totally understand trying cc - we did eventually with ds. After trying what felt like flipping everything.
Have to say, it didn't work for us - after 2 weeks we gave up. Wouldn't/won't do it with dd. BUT I have to say, ds never seemed to 'hold it against us' - in fact he always seemed quite bright after being hysterical half the night - can't say i felt the same.

Hav you read No Cry Sleep Soln. If nothing else, it makes you feel you're not alone.

Suzi2 poor you. I'm no expert on cc but I think it's a decision that you need to make in a calm state, and be 100% consistent with, rather than do in desperation at 3am.

Are you getting treatment for her eczema? Even experts who are in favour of cc say it should never be done on a baby who is ill, so if her eczema is bad enough to cause wakings by itself then I'm not sure cc is the right way to go. (My DS also a shite sleeper has eczema too, which is one reason I don't think we'll ever do cc.)

Have you tried the gradual retreat method? Much more gentle although it may take longer. I'm sure there are some threads on here you could look up...

Huge sympathy, I am there with you on the 4/5 hours' sleep a night. You will find help and support on the Sleep Is For The Weak thread if you need it...