Argghhhhh!

[SugarBlossom]

Hi guys,

Today I have just about had it. Codie who is now 4 months is still waking up 3-6 times a night to be fed and I can't handle the sleep dep any more!! I cry all the time and my relationship with DF is falling apart.

I know it's hunger that wakes him...he's a big baby, 11 pounds at birth and now weighs around 8 kgs.

We co-sleep, but once I'm awake it takes a while to get back to sleep.

Then Codie is awake for the morning at 5!!

I've tried the ABA but their phones are always engaged, and the Child health nurse told me to try formula which I just found an awful idea, but he won't drink out of a bottle anyway.


I don't know what to do.....I don't want this to interfere with our special bond.

I don't know if anyone can help me, but it's worth a try....i just don't know what else to do.


Jazz :(

[wattle]

Wow, you gotta get some quality sleep girl or you won't be any use to anyone.

I know the formula thing sounds awful, but perhaps it's worth persisting for just the evening feed. I found that ds slept much better once he was having a big formula feed at night. I wasn't keen initially, and it took a lot of perserverance (? sp) to get there, but now it's heaps better.

If you're really against formula, can you express? Can dh feed bub?

Big hugs to you. I'm sure lots of people will have different suggestions for you. I hope you find one that works.

[Jamily]

Hi Jazz

I have no advice at all I'm afraid as I am in exactly the same boat, but just thought I'd let you know that you aren't the only one! Sometimes I feel like I am :)

[Imogensmum]

Ok- I know that this will rock a few boats and the MACH nurses would take my body and dispose of it quietly :D but maybe you could try your little one on some farex- just a little bit to help him stay a little fuller overnight!!! I know its not recommenrded but if your bub is 4 mths it should be ok!!!

I hope you get some sleep soon because i totally sympathise the slepp dap thing!! It is evil and i can see why they use it as a form of torture during war times :eek:

[mummycloud]

Maybe you could try leaving a thread at the ABA website?

Sounds like your baby is ready for solids to me :) He was a massive baby at birth so would be ready for solids a bit earlier than most babies. Start him on farex in the morning, mixed with breastmilk and then a teaspoon of mashed banana in the afternoon and slowly add a teaspoon more everyday till he has a full banana.
Introduce other foods the same way for variaty.

Hope that works!
Good luck ;)

[Funkychicken]

Hi Jazz
You poor thing-it's so tough at the stage you are at. My DS was BIG at birth and weighed 8kgs by 4 mths. His average gain was a pound a week for 8 weeks and after that began to slow-a little bit. He started on solid food at 4 mths (reccomended age at that time) and slowed a bit on the breast feeding but I spent the next year or so getting up to him at 5 am to prepare porridge/cereal etc.. I have a very clear vision of myself sitting at our kitchen table whilst outside was still pitch black, shovelling food in to his mouth and thinking my life is over, i"m going to spend the rest of my life feeding porridge to this baby at 5am and I will never get to sleep through the night again!
That was 6 years ago and the last 6 years have passed by in a blur. Time does pass quickly and in that time we added DD to the family and are about to add another babe. I guess all I can say is that as sh*tty as you are feeling it will pass and your beautiful babe will grow and will actually learn to feed himself and you will probably look back on this time with some sort of fondness-eventually!
Hang in there and continue talking to people about it-be it online or in real life. Don't close off and try to 'deal' with your feelings alone-sometimes just verbalising how you are feeling is enough to ease the AARRRGGGGHHHH.
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Sal-6 wks to go!

[poshBecks]

I agree that maybe your little one could be ready for some solids!!! It will definately help to keep him fuller at night!!

As for your sleep dep.... blow the housework ... whenever he's sleeping throughout the day go & have a rest too!!! Everything else can wait until you get a better sleep pattern happening & DON'T feel guilty about it!!

Good luck!!