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possanda
12-07-2010, 09:41
Let me start by saying that I love my son and would never wish for a life without him, but man I wish he would sleep properly.

This might take a while to explain so I hope that some of you read through and can offer some advise.

DS was 4 weeks premmie at 8.7p had a depressed sternum and spent 3 days on his tumy in special care on monitors, Iv's and 24 hr care.

Sleep from the start was difficult. He would only cat nap and have to occational long day nap. Would sleep with me most nights when he wouldn't by himself. Then it all went bad.... I had way too much milk and he was getting bad tummy aches, and would wake every hour.

This went on for about a month until my milk settled. I changed him from sleeping with me to sleeping in his cot and he seemed to get better at night. He would go to bed at 5.30pm wake at 1am and 4am then sleep through till 7am.
This lasted a little while, then he got 2 teeth at 3 months!!!! Never slept longer than an hour during the day and at night needed to be resettled (taking 40 mins) every 1 1/2 hrs.

My milk suffered and I wasn't giving him enough to sleep happily and gave up at 6 months and changed over to formula. He also started solids at 4 1/2 months to try to fill him up at nights.

He is now 8 months old and his sleep cycle changes daily.... I have the same ritual everyday, and his night times havent changed either.

Recently he will sleep through one night waking once at 4.30am and have a 2 hour and a 1 hour nap during the day. The next night he won't settle and wakes every few hours and will want to get up at 5am, and will only have 2 x 40 min sleeps which he fights me on everytime.

I put him to sleep the same way each time, I have the room dark, I maintain the same room temp, he gets enough exercise, he eats and drinks well, I read to him, I play with him, we take walk around the garden and play with the animals.....
I use controlled comforting technique and for the first 10 mins of putting him down he has a music box he listens to and he is left to whinge a bit. However I never let him cry too much or get hysterical, I will always pick him up if he needs it.

He is a happy little boy, but I wish he would sleep properly for my sake and his.

I just don't know what else to try....

:sleeping:

Boobycino
12-07-2010, 09:46
How frustrating! No advice though I've got a shockingly bad sleeper myself so talking to me' might only be depressing!

:hugs: though i know your pain :hugs:

possanda
12-07-2010, 10:05
I've even been to day stay and my community health nurse, but it just makes me feel like more of a failure when the advice they give just does not work.. To get into sleep clinics you have be at great risk or your baby has to have multiple problems. I have considered paying one of those baby whisperer people but they are SSSOOOOOO expensive..

LittleBug'sMum
12-07-2010, 10:22
:hugs: Sorry no advice here, sounds like you're doing everything right!
My DS goes through periods of sleeping well, and periods of shocking sleeping, but he tends to be a bit more predictable than it sounds like your DS is.
Does he have any ongoing medical problems that could be causing pain/ discomfort on some days and not others?

LittleBug'sMum
12-07-2010, 10:26
Possanda - are you in Brisbane? There is a really great baby whisperer that I have been to, she does free 15 minute consultations from a couple of pharmacies on the northside, or you can pay to have a phone consultation, or she can come to your house.
Here is her website: www.healthybaby.com.au (http://www.healthybaby.com.au)
She really helped me out, solved our sleep problems, all in a 15 minute consultation :D

possanda
12-07-2010, 10:38
Littlebugs mum -
Yes I'm in Brisbane.
No health issues to speak of, I had him looked at by 2 doctors and both say he is in perfect health.

I will look at that website. Thanks heaps for the info,anything is appreciated.