Exhausted- help!

[LoveLife]

We're really struggling here. We nightweened DS about 6-7 weeks ago @ 15 months and he was sleeping from around 9- 5:30ish. Things were going great, but about 1 1/2 weeks ago he got sick, started waking up all the time because he couldn't breathe.

Now he's waking up in the middle of the night and he's UP for at least 2 hours, even with going back to nursing. In fact it seems to be making it worse. He's nursing all night long, but won't fall back asleep and just cries to be "up".

I'm going to school and have to study when he sleeps, and DH and I are ready to loose it. DS is grouchy during the day, and taking horrible naps on top of it. I'm not being a good mama and Dh is stuggling at work because were all so tired.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this. I just needed to get it out and hope someone has some suggestions.

[Jend1002]

Since he was already doing pretty well, it sounds like being sick caused him to have a little sleeping set back. Maybe he still isn't feeling well and needs to be held. Does he have molars yet? This is also prime time for those first molars. For my DS, they cause many many hours of wakefulness.

Since things had been going smoothly, I bet he just isn't feeling right yet. Try to hang in there - which from a sleep-deprived momma herself, I know is incredibly hard!

[LoveLife]

Thank you so much for your reply! I really needed to hear it.

And yes, he's got all 4 molars coming in at once. I've been giving him the teething tablets, but he's still waking and seems uncomfortable. You hit the nail on the head when you said he wants to be held. That's almost all he wants- but he cries unless I'm holding him standing up. And my back is hurting so bad from the hours at night I've been pacing with him that I just can't do it anymore.

Last night was another rough one, with him going to bed at 8:30, waking at 10 and being up until after 1, then in addition to more night time wakings he was up for the day at 6... and CRABBY. I guess I just have to tough it out and hope he goes back to his normal self soon.

[Jend1002]

Yes, it sounds like we have twins....well except that my guy has never been a good sleeper. But when it is bad, it involves hours of wake time. But it always passes! Are you opposed to using something like Motrin? With 4 molars coming in, it may help. My DS seems to be particularly sensitive to teething so Motrin doesn't make a difference but it may help.

And what is with needing to stand?? I hear you! That makes me NUTS! DS does the same. I find that if I sit in the rocker and deal with him crying and writhing about, eventually he gets it that I can't walk with him any more and he settles. It's unnerving though.

You may notice another post of mine about anger at night. I have a tough time with this stuff, but I am learning to cope. Good luck - I hope you have a better night but keep in mind lingering sickness and molars...may help with perspective!!