No comfort methods work except nursing

[CalaRei]

Well, my boys are nearing 9 months old, and sleeping has become a nightmare. They nurse to drowsy but then start fighting actually sleeping - thrashing, kicking, rolling over, arching away. Or if they do fall asleep, wake up as soon as I transfer them to bed, then sit, crawl and pull up in bed as they scream.

Then... it's an hour of trying to comfort them back to sleep. Rocking, snuggling, cuddling, back patting, shushing- none works. They thrash in our arms, and twist away from cuddles. Anything like walking around just gets them wide awake and ready to play.

Eventually, an hour or more of crying in our arms later, I nurse them again and they finally pass out. But I'm tired of being the ONLY way they sleep. I feel like if they're going to cry while I try to comfort them anyway, they can d*** well cry in bed - I'm that desperate. I wouldn't even mind rocking them or singing or ANYTHING if someone else could at least help. I feel like I need to separate food from comfort.

They haven't napped more than an hour a day for the past week, and they only "sleep" for 8 ish hours at night, with at least 4 wake ups each.

So someone help me. Talk me down from weaning entirely. My ped would've had us CIO ages and ages ago, and we just can't. Twin boards are practically useless, as nearly every last one of them just closes the door and lets them cry.

[TulsiLeaf]

Originally Posted by CalaRei

Well, my boys are nearing 9 months old, and sleeping has become a nightmare. They nurse to drowsy but then start fighting actually sleeping - thrashing, kicking, rolling over, arching away. Or if they do fall asleep, wake up as soon as I transfer them to bed, then sit, crawl and pull up in bed as they scream.

Then... it's an hour of trying to comfort them back to sleep. Rocking, snuggling, cuddling, back patting, shushing- none works. They thrash in our arms, and twist away from cuddles. Anything like walking around just gets them wide awake and ready to play.

Eventually, an hour or more of crying in our arms later, I nurse them again and they finally pass out. But I'm tired of being the ONLY way they sleep. I feel like if they're going to cry while I try to comfort them anyway, they can d*** well cry in bed - I'm that desperate. I wouldn't even mind rocking them or singing or ANYTHING if someone else could at least help. I feel like I need to separate food from comfort.

They haven't napped more than an hour a day for the past week, and they only "sleep" for 8 ish hours at night, with at least 4 wake ups each.

So someone help me. Talk me down from weaning entirely. My ped would've had us CIO ages and ages ago, and we just can't. Twin boards are practically useless, as nearly every last one of them just closes the door and lets them cry.

Oooo, sounds like a HUGE growth spurt.

I wonder if they are to tired when you start bed time. I know with my daughter that if i started bedtime a half an hour to late she would be to tired to relax. Could you start bed time about half an hour earlier?

I think what I had to come to terms with is that at 9 months old, nursing is still a huge thing for them. They aren't independent yet, they shouldn't be expected to sleep more than they do, and they shouldn't be expected to fall asleep themselves. I found to stop with the expectations, and that really helped me.


I think the worst part is that you are overwhelmed and probably touched out. Which I understood with just one, but I would imagine twins are a whole nother thing. I mean you only have two arms and two boobs and even though that is enough for two babies, thats a lot of baby in your arms!

Also, I used to drink a sleepy time tea myself when putting my daughter to bed Something that would be okay for them. Like chamomile. I don't know if it helped them, but it sure as hell helped me.

Good lucked.

[Louisep]

9 months is the worst, worst, worst. Big hugs to you mama going through it with two.

It sounds to me like they are working on a milestone - are they learning to crawl or walk? Are they teething?

I tried everything for months and months and nothing worked but time. As soon as my DS hit his physical milestones and his last tooth popped through, he started sleeping. And boy oh boy am I glad I didn't CIO - poor thing couldn't sleep well because he was either in pain or processing his new skills.

My DH saved my sanity by taking my DS when he woke in the mornings every day for as long as he could before work. I also napped every time with DS. Weekends I tried to catch up on sleep as much as possible.

Around 10 months DH was able to help a bit at night, especially when I was really losing it, and by 12 months he could put him to sleep without me.

I'm sure things will get better for you soon, and honestly, I found breastfeeding was a great tool to have even if it didn't work every time.

Hang in there and try and get some support where you can.