Utterly sleep deprived and desperate for advice!

[MissM]

I'm sure this thread has been done before, but I'm desperate. DS woke last night at 11, 2, 3 and 4.30. And at 4.30 he was wide awake and ready to go. The night before he woke at 3.30 and didn't go back to sleep until 5. I could go on - on a good day (i.e. when he sleeps through) he will wake at any time between 5 and 5.30am. If we can get him to stay in his cot until 6 it's a bonus.

There are blackout blinds in his room and it is very dark. We've tried controlled crying, bringing him into bed with us and lying on the floor holding his hand (that works best of all for him but means we don't get any sleep). We also have a toddler so can't take it in turns going back to bed at 6 as she is usually up at 6.30.

So... what the hell do we do? I seriously can't function. My job is quite full-on and intense and I'm just not on the ball. I'm in bed by 9 every night which means I have barely any time for me and even less for DH. I know I'm not the only one in this situation, but it is seriously destroying me. Can anyone help please?

I know how awful this is as DD2 didn't sleep through (and I mean what I call sleeping through - ie a proper night!) until she was 16mths.
In total desperation I spoke to Andrea Grace and got a sleep plan and got it cracked within a month. Some friends have used her website & book and had great success....and without spending too much money.
I hope this helps

Sounds very grim but if it's any comfort
this type of scenario is quite common.

First question: how old is he?

When you say you did CC and co-sleeping unsuccessfully
can you elaborate why neither option worked for you?

I've not heard of Andrea Grace but will look at the website - thanks for that. To answer DaddyJ, he's almost 19 months. CC wasn't successful as he can keep up the crying for 15 minutes plus and I wasn't prepared to let him cry beyond that (was also super-aware of waking DD). Co-sleeping works eventually, but he spends a lot of time thrashing about and kicking me - he doesn't go to sleep straight away. I am also nervous about that being the only way to get him back to sleep and ending up with a 4 year-old in my bed. Know that's ok for some but doesn't appeal to me!

Ok, that makes sense.
I agree with shivs that in your situation (lots of pressure back at work, lo quite a bit older)
professional support could be the way forward.
Have you heard of Millpond?
They have got a book out as well.

Thanks for that tip too. Will check them all out before I completely lose the plot. Actually he did sleep better last night thank god. They always seem to when you think you just can't cope any longer, as if they sense you're about to go under!