my brain isnt functioning

[amy densley]

hey guys i have a 4 1\2mth old and he has never been a good sleeper i was coping really well up until about two weeks ago there must be a hormone that our bodies produce when we have babies to help us cope but i think mine is wearing off i cant function anymore i drop things forget things adn i am becoming really snappy my little guys wakes up to 6 times a night and doesnt wake me crying he wakes me talking and is up at between 4 and 6 am every morning i dont know what to do i cant sleep through the day because he only cat naps for 45 mins and i feel worse if i fall asleep and get woken up straight away.i cosleep and that doesnt make any difference he still wakes up every hour help me

[rynosmum]

Hi Amy,

You poor thing - you must be absolutely exhausted !

I had a friend who's bub also had problems sleeping - she went to 'Riverton' a Brisbane based sleep centre for a few days and whilst he bub has never been a perfect sleeper, she now manages much longer sleep stretches. Is there one of these in your area you could try ?

At least bubs is waking up contented and talking so he must be a healthy and happy little one. But it's important that Mummy is healthy and happy too ! :D

[JanetF]

I'm so sorry for your sleeplessness. It sucks :( I'm glad to hear that you cosleep because it's the best way to meet both your needs. There are things you can do to help your baby sleep longer so you might like to look at Elizabeth Pantley's website and book "No Cry Sleep Solution". Bear in mine also that babies wake more often during growth spurts and teething. Perhaps you might like to think about changing your own diet a little too to filter out foods which can cause wakefulness, like caffeine? Are you offering him the breast as soon as he stirs? That can get them back to sleep quick smart! And help you too with the oxytocin in your system from letdown.
No Cry Sleep Solution
http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/

Keep us informed of your progress *hugs* :)

[amy densley]

thanks for the reply i pretty much have to feed him to resettle at night he may only feed for two minutes but i think it must sooth him back to sleep,i dont drink coffee and eat pretty healthy ,he has the snuffles alot and ive been told that can be due to being sensitive to dairy but then i was also told that i should keep eating it and he will grow to it if i was to stop that he could become more sensitive to it ,i think sometimes you getr given so many opinions that you become evne more confused about what ot do because i have been told to maybe try a formuls feed before bed because it sits heavier in their tummies but i think it will upset him more i really want to breastfeed till around 12mths .but then i think that if i give him formula he might sleep better but if it doesnt work i will be so upset because i want to breastfeed ,but at the same time i need rest it's true what they say being a mum is the hardest job in the world but it's the most beautiful and rewarding job i have ever done.every problem seems so little when they smile at you or just give that look to say i love you mum

[JanetF]

What a lovely mama you are :)

The truth about the dairy thing is that if bubs is allergic, they're allergic and they're not going to used to it through exposure. They're going to get sick. So if you find that your baby is happier when you don't eat dairy, go with it. The ABA can help you with those sorts of qns too :)

[JanetF]

Oh and ff doesn't guarantee sleeping differently but it does guarantee hassle and less than optimal nutrition, so you stick to the booby ;)

[Heids]

I'm so sorry for your sleeplessness. It sucks :( I'm glad to hear that you cosleep because it's the best way to meet both your needs. There are things you can do to help your baby sleep longer so you might like to look at Elizabeth Pantley's website and book "No Cry Sleep Solution". Bear in mine also that babies wake more often during growth spurts and teething. Perhaps you might like to think about changing your own diet a little too to filter out foods which can cause wakefulness, like caffeine? Are you offering him the breast as soon as he stirs? That can get them back to sleep quick smart! And help you too with the oxytocin in your system from letdown.
No Cry Sleep Solution
http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/

Keep us informed of your progress *hugs* :)

Hi Janet,

Does caffeine really affect bubs cause I asked my Ped and he said no ! My son does not sleep during the day and without my coffee and I cannot function... I am not happy to give my coffee but am more than happy to give bf and give him formula if this will make a difference ??

Whats your advice ?
Heids

Ps- I would have 5 to 6 cups a day and my Ped said I would have to have 20 to 30 to effect him.

[JanetF]

Hi Heids,
I think it's an individual thing. Like some adults are affected more by caffeine so are some babies. All we can do is try dropping it out and see if it helps. Perhaps you can make some lifestyle changes to support taking care of a newborn more easily? Cosleeping really helps us get more sleep and keeps babies very happy with the constant security of mama just like they had in the womb. It's also really important to understand what normal baby sleep is and although there can be wide variations, most babies wake at least every 2 hours to be fed when they're very tiny. Cosleeping means you can attend immediately without having to wake fully yourself and your baby never gets irately distressed before you get to them. It can be a shock to the system having a new bub but this time is only really short so we all just muddle along and do our best. Feel free to PM me if you like!
:)

[BigW]

i was coping really well up until about two weeks ago there must be a hormone that our bodies produce when we have babies to help us cope but i think mine is wearing off i cant function anymore i drop things forget things adn i am becoming really snappy


Hi Amy,
Just a suggestion, I too was getting really tired, snappy, irritable etc so went to see my doctor. It turns out I have a hyper active thyroid. It can make you most unreasonable and feeling like you can't cope with things.
Perhaps see your doctor and suggest you are tested - a simple blood test - it wont do any harm if you're not, but if so, a positive result is a life saver, believe me!
Keep trooping on though, I know what you mean about a smile from your little person at the end of the day making everything worth while, sometimes I wonder how I get through! ;)
Take care.