I'm kinda new here. Well, returning with very few posts under my belt.
So, I haven't slept for 16 months. Or more even, if you count cr*ppy pregnancy sleep.
My DD has always been unsettled. From day one. A terrible day sleeper from the start and that has then become a terrible night sleeper too.
She has been in my room (in her cot) up until recently when I succumb to pressure to "put her in her own room". "You're waking her" they told me. So I moved her. We did the controlled "comforting" for 5 nights and she became a lot better but now, we are back to waking a dozen or so times per night.
I put her back in my room as I was sick of walking the hall and figured, hey, she's waking in there, she's waking in here, I may as well make life easier on myself. I've even started putting her in my bed and even there, she wakes. Not as much but still wakes.
I've been told to go to sleep school or get her out of my room again or take her to an osteo or a naturopath or get her allergy tested and the list goes one. Quite frankly, I have no idea what to do. My DS who is now nearly 6 was a textbook baby. Eat, play, sleep. Still sleeps like a log. DD, not so. I'm also suffering severe depression (have been very sick with it since DD was conceived but have had it and been medicated for it for over 20 years) and I feel like if I don't get some sleep soon, I am going to lose it.
I'm not even sure why I'm posting as everyone has varying ideas. I guess I just feel alone in this and right now, it is all too hard.
I think sleep deprivation is the worst kind of torture! No point offering my 2 cents as it sounds like you have had plenty of conflicting advice already
Could you have a chat to your MCHN or GP and let them know not only about your DD's sleep issues but how the sleep deprivation is affecting you?
My Dd2 is not a great sleeper either. She has just turned 3. and we are down to 1-2 wake ups a night. I did see an osteo when she was about 7months. Not really any change. I tried drinking protein powder to boost my breast milk. Nothing. I wont do controlled crying and don't really believe in sleep training. So I accepted that she is a baby that can not sleep in long blocks and just get on with it.
My advice would be do what works for you and your baby. Don't worry if others tell you it is wrong. If co sleeping works and your comfortable with it do it.
I couldn't have survived my 2 minimalist sleeping kids without cosleeping, and bedsharing. I don't think it is fair for those who are not living the life to make all the suggestions, if they haven't been there.
at different times, I have had baby in my room in a hammock, in my bed, in a side car cot and in a toddler bed plus (once they can walk) starting the night in a bed in a separate room and then cosleeping for part of the night. whatever gives us the most sleep at the time is what I go with.
do you have any support who can help you with the nights, so you can try to catch up on your sleep, or mind her during the day for a . few hours stop you can sleep then?
I'm only just retiring this tshirt and Liebling is almost 7. Cutting out cow milk helped, but wasn't the complete answer. We coslept, bedshared, separate room slept, allergy tested, osteopathed, "drowsy" medicate, routined, stayed up late to sleep in, no drinks in the evening, oaty suppers, day slept, did not allow day sleeps... Yeah, years of hell basically. You have my sympathy.
Advice? Do whatever you want. Stuff other people. Baby sleeps when baby sleeps and very little will affect it. Til then, coffee works wonders. As do sympathetic shoulders. Seek them out and do not talk to those who blame your parenting (like my mother).
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My 16 Month Old Won't Sleep
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