Sorry, I've been slack and not posted here for a while. I'm kind of just plodding thru each day, and popping into the MCN thread now and then because I don't have to think too hard about it, and I don't have to focus on sleep/no sleep/what the hell do we do next type of thing...
We managed to get an appointment at the childrens hospital sleep disorder clinic, and although they were understanding and told me I was doing everything right, they couldn't help with any resettling strategies or shed some light on why DS is waking every half hour some nights. "It's normal, sort of." he said. PFFFFFTTT!!! The Dr was all concerned about me and how I seem so flat and down, and it makes me mad having to try to explain over and over that I'm not depressed (YET!) just exceptionally negative, frustrated and exhausted because nobody understands or has any answers, and my child gets tired and frustrated all the time too because he doesn't know how to stay asleep and resettling is simply impossible. We had blood tests done to check DS's iron levels, although both the doc and I know this is probably not going to be relevant. But DS was so good getting the big needle in his arm again (no emla this time or anything!) and was even squeezing his fist to make the blood flow. Freaky! So, anyway, I've been told by the "experts" that I should keep doing what I'm doing, and maybe try and introduce a teddy or comfort object again and create another sleep association that doesn't involve BF or sucking. I had let the blankie slip for a bit because I was sick of being belted with it! *sigh* So back to being bashed with a blankie at bedtime. Nice.
*CAUTION* vent coming up!
Everyone HAS to say, "oh, have you tried sleep school?" or "A friend of mine did such and such with their kid and it worked great." "why don't you do controlled crying??" All this from people who don't even have kids... and if they do have kids they're placid, calm, ordinary children who just don't have the temperament or, dare I say it, intelligence to compare to DS and his boundless energy and enthusiasm for mischief and inquisitiveness. I just don't have the patience or energy to explain that he's just not like those other kids, and even the doctors and specialists at the sleep disorder clinic said controlled crying is NOT going to work for us ever. And it doesn't have to because DS is happy to GO to sleep!
DP is copping this from all his colleagues at work, and he's just so fatigued and over it all. He's so grumpy lately, and I can hardly blame him, but now is the time that we are somehow required to find an untapped spring of energy sufficient to carry on thru the next however many months/years of relentless tantrums and screaming every night. And at the same time, he's applying for work in Paris because Melbourne just isn't working for him anymore... He hates his job, it's cold, our house sucks (as have the last two places before this one) and he wants us to go somewhere where we can be happy and have family around us who are helpful, and that's not going to happen here, no matter how much I like Melbourne. It's a scary thought, moving overseas with a kid... my brain just doesn't work at the moment to even contemplate it!

Jess - I appreciate your advice. I'm not offended by your ideas about trying formula, and it's been suggested by another good friend of mine too. However... I would like to continue BF for as long as I'm able and DS wants it, and when I discussed it with the the doc he didn't seem to think the formula option would be worthwhile. DS is eating plenty of solids, and I'm still going ok with the milk supply, though I don't like to discuss it here since I know how much you and others here would like to still be able to/continue with BF. Anything you can suggest is welcome, since you have a wild child of your own and understand what it's like first hand.

OK, I have to go. BBL to finish this. Sorry to come across so blaaaaaaahh but that's how it is! I'll try and cheer up this afternoon, but I'm going to my friend's 30th (shiat, mine's next week) and there's going to be all the kids from playgroup who SLEEP so well... phooey.