What to do, needing some reassurance.*long*

[~Trish~]

Big hugs Amber, you are doing a great job! I know how hard the sleep deprivation thing is, it's sooo draining.

How do you settle M when he's in his cot? Does he settle if you pat him? The reason I ask is, could you try sleeping in his room for a few nights (maybe put a mattress on the floor?) and whenever he wakes you could just reach over and pat him (or whatever it is that works for him) off to sleep? This may help him to go through to the next sleep cycle by himself. I did this with K during the day because he would only do one 40 minute cycle for a nap, and he eventually worked out how to sleep through the cycle all by himself.

I really hope you find something that works for you soon

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

You're doing a fab job. I could have written a lot of your post myself - I have a few posts in the no-cry sleep area with LOADS of advice in which didn't work for me but may work for you.

DS now sleeps through really well, we took him to the homeopath. He not only sleeps well but acknowledges that he's tired too now, before he'd just go and go and go and... drop. Now he starts to yawn, exhibits normal tired behaviour like wobbling on his feet and forgetfulness, he calms down around bedtime, he gets tired like a normal person! He also goes to sleep just holding a finger belonging to either DH or me and then that's it for the night. He doesn't need much sleep but usually gives us about 11 hours overnight then maybe an hour or so in the day. That's "too little" for a toddler but everyone's different.

Your reward isn't a baby that sleeps as a tot but a child who is secure in their parents' love: this will pay off big time as your child ages.

[Lulu]

You are doing a great job you poor thing.

He is over tired and so is mumma. If he is a busy little thing and tries to tell you he doesn't need sleep - don't listen to him, it's all smoke and mirrors!
The busiest ones need the MOST amount of sleep, and are the easiest to get overstimulated.

Maybe try this. Tomorrow (or even tonight) get him ready for bed 30min before you would usually put him down, turn down all the lights and get all snug on the floor and read quietly. He may also be the kind of child (like mine) that cant handle too much input (even rocking to sleep actually might be keeping him awake). She is also a light sleeper and wakes up when I walk into the room .

Maybe a quiet cd in his room and settle him in the cot, maybe patting him on the bum, not looking at him too much (!) instead of rocking him.

I've been sleep deprived for years , and one thing I have learnt with unsettled kids is when they are overtired you should try to get them to bed earlier - even if they are bushy-tailed. Get them sleepy BEFORE they get tired iykwim?

My 2 yo has been giving me heaps lately, waking all through the night. In desperation I bathed and fed her really early and she was fast asleep (no fighting me) at 6.30pm, and slept through the night .
If she doesn't get to bed by then, she will be unsettled until 9pm and will wake a few times in the night......

Good Luck tonight xoxoxox

[boomba]

Thanks ladies!

Last night we started his bed time earlier than usual and he went off to slepp really well! Tonight was about the same and he is fast asleep!

Your reward isn't a baby that sleeps as a tot but a child who is secure in their parents' love: this will pay off big time as your child ages.

What beautiful words of wisdom Rosehip thankyou x

Lulu maybe your rigt on the rocking thing he does seem to stay awak and fight it if i rock him? I put him in his room when its really dark so he knows its time for bed! If he fights it i dont take him out i just try to calm him! Have started trying to just pat him on the bum so i dont need to keep feeding him back to sleep!

Fingers crossed tonight is the start of a beautiful sleeper! Thank you so much girls it really means a lot!
xxx

[mummamichelle]

to you Boomba! First off you are a great mother, don't ever think differently. I have been witness to your beautiful happy child!! I am glad to hear that your night last night was better and hopefully tonight is too.

I don't have any advice with the co-sleeping because we didn't do it. I found for us early on we both kept each other awake more than we got sleep. I agree 100% that overtired children sleep much worse than if they got to bed earlier, dd is a prime example every time she stays up late we think oh yes, we are in for a sleep in and it is just not the case, she usually wakes during the night and is up very early whereas when she gets to bed around 6:30 it's a good solid sleep until around 7.

I hope you get the sleep that you need! I can totally sympathize with feeling sleep deprived these days and it's no good for anyone.