Losing my mind with no sleep....

[Ktietje85]

I'm starting to seriously lose my mind. My son is almost 7 months and has been sleeping horribly since around 3 months. Two months ago I moved him from his bassinet next to me into his crib, up against my bed (instead of buying a real co-sleeper). At first it seemed better to just have him there (we tried moving him to his own room but a couple nights but he was inevitably back in my room/bed by 2 am), but now...assuming he's FINE (no cold, not teething, no allergies, perfect nap routine, plenty of attention during the day), he will sleep two hours at a time quietly, eating that often. But 99% of the time he's up at least every hour, and there are many nights that I'm up half the night laying next to him, patting him, giving him a pacifier, attempting to nurse him (which he won't do if he's not hungry, he doesn't comfort nurse at night really), begging him to be quiet and sleep. He's a little sniffly right now, but I literally got about 3 hours of sleep last night. I wanted to smother him (not to hurt him, just to make him be quiet for awhile), shake him, leave the room and go sleep somewhere else and let my husband deal with him (I really almost did that). I'm soooooo sleep deprived, I'm really starting to lose it.

And the fun part is, at 5 am when my husband got up for work, he picked up our son, talked to him for a minute, cuddled him, set him back down and walked away and he slept soundly for 2 hours. He NEVER does that for me. I can hold him until he's completely asleep, lay him down, and he instantly wakes up and then won't go back to sleep even when I pick him up again. It drives me nuts!

I think, for my sanity, I need to move him out of my room and get him to sleep better. He doesn't even want to nurse most times when he wakes. My husband is ready to get involved and help, whatever we need. But I'm just not sure what to do first. Any ideas?

[woodchick]

At night, I take first crack at DD2 I nurse and cuddle her, nursing on both sides and trying for a burp. If that doesn't work, DH checks her diaper and will walk and bounce her. He can often get her back to sleep if she's not hungry or wet. I have NEVER been able to bounce her to sleep. (grr)

I say, let your DH help. There's no need to be a martyr. If you're frustrated go to another room and let him take over. Even better, try to notice what makes you frustrated and try to hand off the baby just before you get there.

It is SOOOOO tough to think rationally during the middle of the night. I am a calm person but I go crazy at night! We've also found that having a "plan of attack" in place before bed helps DH and I during the night wakings. We can go into auto pilot instead of having to make decisions when we're half asleep.

[odoole]

DS is 6 months and is now in bed with us full-time because of what you describe. I think he just can't get comfortable in the crib, and now that he's bigger, it's impossible to put him in there without waking him. He's still not sleeping great, but I think he's sleeping better, and I definitely feel much more rested.

I wasn't clear from your post, but are you cosleeping now or not?

[SLPmom76]

I don't really have any suggestions, just wanted to let you know you're not alone and glad to see I'm not alone. It's amazing what lack of good sleep will do to us. I find myself getting so much more easily irritated and then mad at myself for getting like that. My concern now is that my DS is just not getting enough deep sleep and it's taking it's toll on him too. I would also say let your DH handle more of the nighttime parenting. I know my DS seems to get more mad at me sometimes when I try to comfort him or even when he hears my voice.

[Mya's Mommy]

I wish I had a solution for you (and me) but just wanted to let you know that many of us are going through the same thing. My DD is almost 8 months and will sleep for around 3 hours (on a good night) when she first goes to bed, but then is up about every hour nursing/just pacifying and I too, get SOOOOO frustrated at times. I have noticed that lately DD's top teeth are really bothering her and she will sleep a bit better with a dose of baby Advil. I was anti-drugs for baby and just using Camillia (homeopathic for teething), but she would still be moaning in pain until I gave her Advil. I don't use it all the time, but when she is obvious pain I use it and she goes to sleep quite quickly. Also, DD is trying to crawl and is waking herself up, flipping onto all fours, so I am hoping she may out grow this constant waking once she can fully crawl. Sorry, this post has turned into all about me...just wanted to offer some support that you're not alone...I have tried DD in her crib in another room (unsuccessfully) and plan to try again very soon once her teeth are not bothering her as much and she can crawl better.
As for advice- when you are getting so frustrated definetly leave your baby with DH and go get a drink of water...or wine...take a break and go back when you are more relaxed. good luck.

[voxana]

If your husband is better at putting him to sleep, then you could try having dh sleep on the side of the bed next to your son rather than you. And then if dh is unsuccessful in soothing, you could get involved.