Alternatives to CIO?

[Arcadia]

When I was pg dd got increasingly anxious about having me close. I had to take her out of occasional care, put her back in my bed and couldn't leave her with anyone. In fact the day I went into labour she screamed about going to the park with her dad!

Then as soon as the baby was here she was fine, and became even more independent. Kids sense these things, and are very sensitive to changes.

I found keeping her close helped her get over it sooner. I know how impossible that seems when you're just about to have a baby. I was in tears often with feelings of being torn between my needs to concentrate on baby and dd. But it's like all that ground work made for a really smooth transition once ds was here.

So even though it feels like a step backwards, could you sleep with her somehow or get dh to camp on the floor of her room from the start of the night, so when she wakes up she sees someone there?

I know cosleeping when pg isn't great, but could you just put her to bed in your bed?

I'm sure you've tried everything, but just wanted to offer support and let you know what worked for us.

[HotI]

Have you tried the Brauer Sleep drops. I think Olive and maybe MadB had some success with them.

take care

[Artechim]

Arcadia, it is now my only hope that she will settle down once the baby arrives because I just can't think of anything to do with her. Talked to DH about him camping in her room but neither of us think it will do any good because she won't have anything to do with him when she wakes. He has tried heaps of times to lay in bed with her but she won't allow it. Have tried putting her in our bed but she fought that as well.

HotI, I don't think that we can get Brauer stuff in NZ. Anything is worth a try at this point.

She won't even go in her bed for day naps now - same as at night time, she screams the second I try to leave the room.

We seriously can't be awake from 1-2am every single night with her! I just want some sleep!

[Cassius2]

i'm not sure if you have tried this, but what worked wonders for DD2s frequent wakeups was her sharing the room with DD1. there are still some wakeups and all that jazz, but somehow it has grounded her a bit ITMS. it could be worth a try....

[Artechim]

Don't think it will work Cass, they both wake too often and both scream too often, will just wake each other up more than they already do