I've had 2 kids the have pushed me to my limits with sleep deprivation and it is a horrible horrible experience. Makes it nearly impossible to enjoy your baby or mothering of them or feel like you are doing a good job with your other child. What I also found difficult second time around was my doctors and MCHN reluctance to refer me to any services because it I was a 2nd time Mum and had been to sleep school first time around so I should know what to do, it was just a matter of doing it. This approach was totally frustrating as if I could have I would have being doing something different but by then I was just in survival mode trying to get to the end of each day. When I reached breaking point I had to look at other options outside the box like getting a regular babysitter for a period of time so I could catch up on some sleep or finding someone to come into our home to run a sleeping program which we would have had to pay for but at that point in time I would have paid anything to make it all stop.
In the end we made a plan of steps and time frame for getting help so I knew there was a light at the end of then tunnel. We decided initially we would try for a week of DH stepping up more and tackling the night together instead of it being only me responsible for the night this improved my feeling of support. If that didn't work then we were going to push for a return to sleep school and if that wasn't successful pay for the in home service. In the end we managed to sort it out at home but it wasn't a quick fix my DD was older than yours and while there were improvements in the first week it took time to change things.
It is a hard, hard road and I think your idea of seeing another Dr that might be more helpful and supportive is a great idea. Hope things improve soon.
Hi. I totally understand how you feel. Sleep deprivation is just terrible, that's why it was used as a form of torture in times gone by!
Both my DS and DD were shocking sleepers. I am still up a couple of times a week with DD.
I noticed you live in Sydney. I went to Tresillian with DS and they were good. However there is a private sleep consultant we also used who is fantastic that is based in Newcastle. She does do telephone consults so perhaps give her a try? If you google Sleep and Settle her website will come up. She is really supportive and fantastic.
Honey big giant hugs..I know how you feel Miss H has nevewr slept for more than what 4 hours at a time, we are now and have been for weeks now waking up every hour or so ,i am so tired i dont know how i cope, iv got angry at night ,but took a second and calmed myself down...We co sleep as then i just have to roll over and i don't have to get up, do what ever u can to make this time easier for you,sleep with her if it helps u both get more sleep
I know its no answer but i am just trying to ride it out in the hope that one day she will sleep better..U are doing a great job hun and its ok to feel like this , just take a second ,and breathe xx
We do cosleep most nights because I really just can't cope getting up - but now shes just laying there can crying, i try feeding her, changing her, patting her, massage rubbing her tummy in case it's a tummy ache, panadol/nurofen because shes teething so badly atm, cuddles anything and everything - warm shower/bath. but she just doesn't settle. hoping it will settle soon
My youngest who is 18mth thinks is great to wake up @ 2am...and scream and cry lil bugger. i so know how you feel. she maybe feleing you're feelings aswell so you being upset maybe making her worse go figure huh?
Can you contact a local family daycare scheme and see if you can book your little one in for a few days, you should be able to get some help from centrelink in regards to fees and during that time you can make time for yourself... otherwise is there a friend you could perhaps ask to watch her? maybe someone close could have Miss S for a night just to allow you to get a full night sleep to get back on top...
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks