So sleep is the issue!!!

Bellison - posted on 07/26/2012 ( 9 moms have responded )

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Know I'm not the only one but have just done another 2 hour session in the middle of the night. She drifts off to sleep if I sit with her and calm her but she always wakes up again and within 10 minutes of being awake is building towards frustration again and from that space will just not be able to sleep. Everyone tells me that I must be creating this dependency on me for sleep but they have not been here in the early hours and listened to her trying to get to sleep and not being able to. I have tried leaving her. I have tried controlled crying (for weeks) and she just kept crying. I have taken her to a range of health professionals and they can find nothing wrong with her and blame me. She is happy during the day and she now sleeps relatively well in the days but night after night she will wake for two hours (up to 5) and will try to sleep but can't. I don't know what else to do. My plan is to help her see that when she eventually calms and sleeps that it is her that is doing it and not me but I am not sure if I can last as the placebo for as long as it may take with this child. It has been a year. It may go on for 3 or 4 as far as I know....vent over!!

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9 Comments

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Tina - posted on 08/05/2012

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Just sounds like a bit of separation anxiety. My son was like that still can be at time same with my second. It's a matter of finding what works for the both of you and unfortunately no 2 kids are the same so what might work for a lot of mother on here may not for you. My 2 are different. Have you tried maybe putting a night light in the room and some calming music. I have a cd player and a play baby classical music. My kids are 1 and 2. My daughter now tends to toss and turn when she finally falls asleep she sleeps in the weirdest ways normally totally opposite to the way I put her. My son normally want milk and a dummy to get to sleep. Although he's 2 I still allow it at bed time and take it away from him during the day it's just a comfort thing to get him to sleep. The mommy blanket I think is a good one. I'm not sure if it's what I'm thinking. But I had those nights where I just couldn't get my daughter settled no matter what I did. I ended up giving her my blanket and it calmed her down she's claimed it for good now. I think it's just the fact it has my smell. It gets washed normally she'll stay with me from time to time but I try to get her back in her own bed and not let it become a habit but she still get my blanket. :) My son wouldn't sleep in our bed he just thinks it's play time lol time to jump on mum and kick etc

Bri's - posted on 08/04/2012

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Sounds like you are doing things right by putting her to sleep awake. How old is she? could it be a sleep regression or separation anxiety?

Katya - posted on 07/30/2012

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I would recomend getting a book "HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS HAPPY CHILD' by Marc Weissbluth.
I had similar problem with my baby girl. that book had all the answers.

Bellison - posted on 07/27/2012

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Tested for medical problems but no sign of anything wrong at all.

Bellison - posted on 07/27/2012

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I'm not sure I understand your question but I'll answer as best I can. During the day we are able to go through her routine (books, formula, song) and then put her down awake and walk out and 9 times out of 10 she will go to sleep (mind u it wasn't always so easy...lot of work to get her to this stage). Same at night when she first goes down but pretty much every night she wakes and can't get back to sleep without us patting and/or singing to her and this more often than not takes 2 hours or more (she will drift off for 10 mins then wake and need settling again). If it goes on for over 2.5 hours we will sometimes get her up, go through the book routine and then she will mostly settle after that.
Is this what you are asking?
As I said in my initial rant we have tried different techniques (usually for 2 weeks before giving up) but nothing has changed this pattern in any way.
Thanks for your question

Bellison - posted on 07/27/2012

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Thanks for responding :-) unfortunately both bringing her into bed with us and giving her a teddy have been tried. She has a 'sleepy lamb' which she loves and sleeps with each night. We used to bring her into bed but it only made things worse I'm afraid :(
Thanks for your thoughts tho

Kelina - posted on 07/26/2012

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how old is she? have you tried bringing her into bed with you for a little while to switch the sleep pattern? or if she's old enough a mommy blanket or teddy?

Bri's - posted on 07/26/2012

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How does she fall asleep?

Allie - posted on 07/26/2012

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My neice done that also. Has any of the health care professionals tested her for the colic?