Misguided Illusion Part II - Baby still not sleeping through by six months? Come and join us!

[MomOrMum]

Thought I would start a fresh thread as, sadly, we have almost filled the first one.

Feral, Kiwi, Chulita, et al...shouldn't we have graduated from this thread by now?!

Now welcoming a new crop of 6 months+ babies determined to help us reach new heights/depths of sleep deprivation.

Here is the original thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sleep/713951-Support-thread-for-those-who-were-under-the-misguided-illusion

DH and I were perplexed last night as DS slept through until 6.20am. Probably only about the fourth time he's done that in just shy of a year. No idea what it means, but will see what tonight holds.

wal07 just caught up with your story. That sounds horrendous! How are you doing?

I was wondering how you settle him to sleep during the night?

IsItMe, how was last night? Sounds like a good start!

We were hoping Skye's sleep was settling again - Sunday night she woke at 11, 3, 5 and 7, each time feeding and going back down. Unfortunately, last night she woke at 10:40, 1:50 till 4:30 (!) and then 6:10. In the early hours, nothing worked - feeding, cuddling to sleep, dummy, leaving to cry. I was feeling pretty desperate, I can tell you. Every time I thought I'd got her to sleep and put her down, I'd get back to our room, get into bed and she'd start again - I'd try leaving her but she'd just get hysterical. Even the last time, I got back into bed and she started crying - so did I, I just couldn't take it any more, however, she went quiet and went to sleep on her own within a minute. DH tried a couple of times but, while she sleeps much better with him in the day, overnight it's mum or nothing.

Ho hum, it can only get better. Unfortunately, more spots are still appearing, so we're confined to barracks for ages yet.

Oh Galena, that sounds horrible. Poor Skye must be feeling really grotty. Is there any way you can sleep in with her tonight if she's as unsettled, just to mean you at least get to lie down more? But it's just the chickenpox causing it, so I'm sure she'll be sleeping better again once she's over it.

It was a false dawn for us, although nothing like your nightmarish night. Alex woke several times, so we didn't get any big chunks of sleep. Although on the plus side he did get himself back to sleep at 5.20am until 7am. So could have been a lot worse.

He's only had one 35min nap this morning, and bypassed afternoon nap altogether. While I'm finding it stressful, he seems pretty chilled about it. He's now wondering around blowing raspberries...

Sorry to hear about your night, IsItMe. I know what you mean about the chunks of sleep - I can cope with a long wake if I get a long sleep one side or the other. Good to hear he got himself back to sleep though - it's always reassuring when they do that, so you know they CAN!

I can't sleep in Skye's room, as there's only her cotbed. (And I doubt she would settle with my lying down - she rarely sleeps when we take her into our bed in the mornings, and whinges if we even dare to sit down sometimes... However, what I ended up doing last night was dozing while cuddling her in the glider chair. It actually reclines nearly flat but I find it a) uncomfy and b) impossible to get out of! I also plan to take my DS in so I can play that while she's asleep!

She only had 2 naps today, rather than the almost constant sleeping she's been doing in the day recently. She did get really grouchy though in the afternoon, but DH and I blame ourselves for that - as her temp has stabilised, we forgot to give Calpol... So I guess she felt even grottier.

Tonight she's gone down well, but I'm not holding my breath. Doesn't help that DH is feeling poorly (has had a nasty coldy thing for a few weeks now, had a prescription for antibiotics which he never picked up due to hospital stay and chicken pox, and has now had a headache for 2 days solid.) so, although he's home, I don't like to 'bother him' with Skye! Silly me!

Well, she woke at midnight for a feed, went back down well, woke at 2:30 for a whinge and put herself back to sleep, and woke at 5:30, fed and slept again till 7. What a star!

Hope you've had a good night.

Hello ladies. O is napping so I have some time to MN, yay

Galena - so glad Skye's sleeping is improving, she must be feeling a bit better then? Poor little thing, glad she's on the mend. Fingers crossed she'll go back to being a super sleeping baby again once she's all better.

IsItMe - erk. I hate it when you don't get any decent chunks of sleep - just feel like a walking zombie. And when you're woken so frequently it's impossible to get back to sleep again quickly after the third or fourth time am keeping my fingers crossed for a better night for you tonight.

IsItMe and Bellamys shall we try to arrange a meet up in Wimbledon then as it seems to be the most convenient place? Have any of you tried the new play cafe down the alleyway next to Millets on Wimbledon Broadway? It's called Jitterbugs - here's a linky - maybe we could meet there one morning or afternoon?

So The Plan is still underway but we've gone back several steps as Oscar has had tummy bug followed by snotty cold and cough Last few nights have been absolutely dismal. Last night he was knackered so he went down at 18.30, woke up at 19.10 (needed picking up), then woke up from 22.30-00.00 (needed picking up then just beetling and chatting in his cot for an hour or so), then woke up at 03.00-ish but managed to put himself back to sleep, up for day at 06.30. Not the worst night in the world but not particularly great and a far cry from the heady days of one or two wake ups and feeling tantalisingly close to him sleeping through!

Ho hum, we'll get there. Once he's better again hopefully he won't wake up so much (I think he wakes himself up coughing).

Galena - that's good news. Fingers and toes crossed that she does even better tonight.

Alex did much better last night, in that he woke a couple of times and needed some help before we'd gone to bed, but then he resettled himself at around 11 just after we had gone to bed, and then slept until 5.30am. But then he was awake for the day. So, definitely not the worst night, but also I am completely done in now.

Bicnod - bugs scupper A's sleep too. Hope Oscar will be feeling much better soon, and The Plan can get back on track.

Wimbledon does sound like the best bet. I've just been to Jitterbugs once - I've not really got the hang of these play places. I found A was a bit small to hold his own with the slightly bigger children who kept taking all the toys. Maybe you can give me some tips?!

Otherwise I've met friends in Moka in Centre Court a few times and strapped the littlies into the high chairs. Oh, and I've just remembered M&S cafe, opposite Merton Abbey Mills, which has free parking (tight wad frugal emoticon).

Hi all. Hope that a quiet thread means quiet nights, rather than mummies that are so tired they can't lift their fingers to type .

Galena Is Skye is over the worst with the chicken pox??

Our boy's snot is still pouring. He has had a couple of inconsolable (unusual for him) wakes and a 5:30 start today (Yuk). But I am being pushover mummy as he is not on the best form.

I hadn't heard of jitterbugs, v useful to know Bicnod. R has just got to the stage where he is really interested in other babes-he is a little over enthusiastic though! M&S is also easy for us (it was my sanctuary when R was a newborn)-huuuoge coffee mugs!)

Hi all,

Sorry to hear you're having grotty (in more ways than one) nights, BB. Hopefully he'll begin to feel better soon.

Skye is very much more herself and all her spots are crusted over, so we can get out and about again - whew! Nights have been somewhat variable - we've been having 2-3hours wakings during the night, but with the help of our own brand of CC last night she woke twice for feeds - once going straight back down and once crying for about 20 minutes on and off (more off than on, to be honest).

I'm wishing we were closer to Wimbledon, but there we go, it can't be helped. Have a cup of coffee and a cake for me too!

BB and Bicnod - shall we fix a date? I've got regular commitments on Tuesday mornings and Wednesdays, but otherwise pretty flexible most weeks. Would Thursday or Friday this coming week suit either of you?

A is a hopelessly unpredictable napper, and will only do it at home in his cot [eye roll emoticon], so his most reliable time for doing stuff is actually over or just after lunchtime. What would work for your babies' naps?

Galena - I also wish you were closer to Wimbledon, would love to meet you and Skye.

Morning ladies.

Well last night was the first decent night we've had in about 2 weeks. He seems to be getting over his cough (still there but improving), he doesn't have a temp anymore and his nappies are not quite so violent (and, hurrah hurrah hurrah, he didn't poo at 5am for the first time in ages!). He woke at 21.45 then squeaked at 4am (didn't need settling) and went back to sleep until 06.20

Sadly I was awake from 4.20am until about 06.00 - why oh why oh why?!!!

Galena - so glad Skye is nearly there with the pox. Must be so horrible being cooped up. Fingers crossed she'll be consistently back to good sleep soon.

IsItMe and BB - I, ridiculously, can't actually meet up until w/b 22 March (when I can do any day except Tues and Fri) as I've got to go into work on Thurs this week, we swim on Fridays then we're off to Cornwall Wed next week for a week. Feel free to have first meet up without me - maybe we could also put in a meet up date for when I'm back from Cornwall?

GLad you had a better night, Bicnod, hope it's gone from good to better!

Last night was great for us - went down at 7, woke at 3:30 for a feed and cried for about 30 seconds when put back down, woke at 6:30, fed and fell asleep so I took her into our bed (if I'd put her in her cot she'd have screamed, and I didn't want to cuddle her in her room as that would give the wrong message) and she slept for another hour.

Hopefully we're on the up and up again.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Glad you're having better nights Bicnod and Galena. Sounds as if Skye is getting over the pox well.

A mystery night from DS last night - went to sleep at 7.30 no bother, not a peep out of him before we went to bed and then it all kicked off at 11.30 - DH rocked and rocked to no avail, then we tried calpol and I fed him in desperation. He didn't go back to sleep until after 1. Then awake for the day at 6. Need the matchsticks today!

Bicnod, I vote for waiting until you're back for the meet up, if that's okay with BB. Maybe Thursday 25th?

Morning ladies.

Galena that was a great night - what a little star Skye is. She must still be feeling a bit rotten and she still manages to sleep well fingers crossed she's well on her way to blissful scream-free nights...

IsItMe - poor little boy O has done that a few times recently - screamed inconsolably. It's horrible isn't it? You try everything and nothing works it's at that point I wish he could speak. Really hope you get a better night tonight.

Well - I'm very very happy to report that my little monkey slept through last night! He squeaked several times in the night but put himself straight back to sleep. So all the way from 7pm until 6.20am!!! Don't know if it will last but I'm keeping everything crossed.

I've but Thursday 25th in the diary - very exciting

Hi guys, I'm new. My ds has just turned six months and is showing no signs of sleeping through.

I am telling myself he will never do it and that way it might be a nice surprise one day!

Last night he was awake and screaming from 2-3.30am, not sure why, I tried feeding, cuddling etc. He has had a cold/cough, but that was getting better.

Didn't help that I lost his dummy and couldn't find any spares last night!

Welcome roslily - sorry you have to join us though.

DS is going to be one next week, and we did have some improvements around November, but he seems to have been troubled with teething or bugs almost constantly since then.

We had one of those annoying hour and a half wakes last night too, although thankfully it was crying and feeding rather than screaming. Also a runny nose here, so maybe that was the problem? Who knows!

Do you have any plans to try anything to help your ds sleep better, or are you looking for support while you wait for him to get there by himself? Support for both available here!

Welcome to the madhouse, Roslily - let's hope for an end to all these long wakes!

IsItMe - 1 next week eh? Got party plans? I can't believe Skye is over 10 months now! Where, oh where has that time gone?! (How sad is this... I've started designing her birthday card to send to CBeebies!)

I have a sinking feeling that we're hitting teething and I'm so hoping it doesn't bugger up upset her sleep again.

Well To be honest ISitmeor, I haven't decided yet. I have read all the books and know a lot of theory about sleep, but haven't really decided where I stand on the whole thing.

I have some pressure from friends and family to try CC, but I don't want to. Ds has reflux, which is finally being treated, but I think he has cried enough and been distressed enough in his little life. It feels wrong to leave him to cry.

But Pu/Pd didn't work too well either. Part of me thinks I might just let him grow out of it. But that might change when I start back at work next week!

Hi roslily. Are your DS's night wakings usually long ones? We have been lucky in that although DS is a crap sleeper (now intermittently crap!) his wakings are regular but short lived. However I think he is teething now and he has been much harder to settle on the occasions he does wake.

Galena-That is so sweet it made me chuckle, lucky skye. What is the design?

Bicnod and IsItMe, I am away on the 25th, back the following week, but go ahead with that date, then will hook up with you next time. Bicnod have a great time in cornwall . IsIt I hope you have a better night tonight.

Oh, very random really - it has Alphablocks spelling her name, Numberjack 1 for her age, and then the Piplings from Waybuloo and Yoko, Jakamoto and Toto. (Only cos I like them and think it's funny!)

His early wakings aren't long, but now he isn't feeding in night (his choice, not mine) it is taking longer. After Anything after 4am takes longer and the wakings start to get more frequent, anything from 40mins to 15mins.

I'll admit that recently I have brought him into bed with us after 4am.

Galena wow, you are putting me to shame. I am already low-achiever mummy as I have no plans to bake a fancy birthday cake (he may get a fairy cake if I get organised) .

But we are making party plans - it'll be at the end of the month because of when people are available, but we're going to combine it with a naming ceremony so hopefully will be good. I have ordered some Very Hungry Caterpillar napkins and paper plates . And we're having a chocolate fountain (with fruit, obviously, to continue the VHC theme).

Bicnod and BB we could make it the following Thursday if that worked for everyone?

And on the sleep front, have decided that A is teething again so he will be getting calpol a lot quicker tonight if he threatens a long wake again.

roslily we eventually tried CC here, but not until around 8 and a half months I think. I wasn't prepared to try it any earlier than that. DS got wise to PUPD too . Bicnod's had success with the No-Cry Sleep Solution, which might be more what you're up for now?

My only advice would be not to wait until you're desperate before trying something, because one of the gentle approaches might work wonders for you and think of all that sleep you didn't need to miss .

IsItMe, I wouldn't worry - it's just that CBeebs is on loads at the moment in this household... It gives me a little sanity! And everytime I see birthday time I think 'Oh, I could do that!'. I'm beginning to wonder if it's such a good idea though! Haven't thought about parties yet though... Although we have a nice group of friends from baby group, and it'll probably involve them coming to play. We're also planning to have some sort of party around her due date too - she can be like the queen and have an actual birthday and an official one!

Roslily, I agree - don't wait till you're desperate before trying something as that's when you don't have the resources to deal with it. Having said that, before various illnesses, Skye managed to wean herself down to one short wake a night without any intervention from me. (That said, she never really did long wakes overnight). Since being ill, she did 2-3 hour wakes, and we used CC to shorten them. She now varies between 30sec-30min cries after feeding overnight.

CBeebies is there to get us through teething and illness, isn't it?

If you do the card, you'll have to let us know so that we can be sure and tune in for it .

Like the sound of two birthdays for Skye. I have started referring to the late March party as A's official birthday too.

Morning... Oscar only woke once last night at 2.45am and settled within minutes with a hand on his tummy and shhhh shhhhhhh

So that's two good nights in a row. We must be due a bad one tonight!

Welcome roslily - poor you it's so tough isn't it? If you aren't really up for CC then I would heartily recommend Elizabeth Pantley's No Cry Sleep Solution - it is by no means a quick fix but if you are prepared to be committed to whatever plan you put together, not expect fast results and be patient and consistent it does seem to work. Oscar has improved so much since I first joined this thread and started doing our plan from the NCSS - you can see my progress as I've put it all on here.

IsItMe and BB - let's go for the following Thursday as IsItMe suggested - so that's Thurs 1st March - can't wait to meet you both and your gorgeous babes

Galena - is Skye-baby's sleep still improving? Very impressed with your plans for her 1st birthday. I haven't got a clue what I'm going to do for Oscar's. Probably a stiff gin and an early night.