SO SO SOOOO tired. Sleep issues getting worse

[MommatoAandA]

my 1 year old is proving to be pretty problematic in the sleep area these days.

I am sure there is some confusion as to what the heck is going on, but she is currently upstairs screaming (she has been up there about 3 minutes). I cannot go in there. I am ready to snap. I HAVE ROCKED, SUNG, BOUNCED, CUDDLED, LAID, She is refusing her bottle because there is water in it (I have resorted to watered juce and milk in the last few weeks). She has had 4 bowel movements today because nothing is sitting well in her tummy. The juice is proving to be an issue, the milk is an issue. I AM READY TO EFFING SNAP. she is not napping at all anymore. 15 minutes in the car here and there. I have no money or gas to drive her around and my 3 year old is napping right now anyway. I am not sure what to do for her. Nothing seems to help her sleep. We are going through 4-6 juice bottles at night 9 oz each. 5-6 diaper changes. That cannot keep on going on. Its not healthy for her or me. She is slapping me in the face and I just cannot take it at the moment. I wish someone could save me right now, but I have no resources at the moment.

[robinchap1]

Big hug. You must be so exhausted and fried. Deep breath. I know you probably don't let your kids cry it out to sleep, and neither do I, but when you are ready to snap it is perfectly ok for them to cry for a few minutes in a safe place like their bed while you regroup. She knows you love her.

Couple questions: how long has she been on milk? Did she nurse before this or was she on formula? Wondering if there is some sort of allergy, maybe a milk allergy.

Has she always had trouble sleeping or is this new? So does she wake up, cry, and the only way you've been able to settle her is a bottle?

I SO feel for you. My DS has always had trouble sleeping and I know that feeling of being at your breaking point.

Sounds like maybe you need to come up with a new, simple and very set routine that you can do every night. And then a routine that you can do every time she wakes up. But it will be rocky in the beginning.

Does she co-sleep or is she in a crib?

Will she nap in a stroller? Though I realize you have the 3 year old too...

[Minxie]

First, deep breaths. This, too, shall pass.

Second, why have you resorted to juice bottles? Four to six bottles of juice a night is a LOT of sugar and not the healthiest for a one-year-old (unless I misunderstand, in whic case I apologize.) This would be causing the extra bowel movements but it seemed like you were aware of that.

Does she have an ear infection? Is she cutting a tooth? Is she eating solid foods and possibly still hungry? Is she nursing? On formula?

Can you swap care with another mother? or set up a baby-sitting co-op? Hire a mother's helper for a few hours?

[MommatoAandA]

Thanks so much... To answer the questions:

She was nursed exclusively and coslept exclusively until she was 6 months old. For the last 6 months she has slept in her own pack and play in her own area (she needs darkness and quiet) with a noise machine and fan usually one 8 oz bottle of milk based formula to sleep, then the bottles started multiplying. She was also emotionally abused (not sure if physically) by a care giver for about 2ish weeks before I foubnd out and fired her. We have gone through a lot of changes in the last couple of months with living spaces and people who live with us. I am currently bunking at mom and dads and they are very uptight so we brough minimal things here. She has her blankie, her pooh, her huge body pillow puppy and her pack and play. I realllly need the noise machine but it is a X's house and i would much prefer to get through one more night w/out it than to go there when he is home.

She always was sort of loose on the formula (less so on Walmart brand, than the goodstart) but only 1-2 BMS per day. But milk, OMG she was having like 16 bms on milk. I stopped and the loose stools went waay down in number. She will not take any milk subsitute, not one. She hates pacis. She will cosleep KINDA sometimes if its just me and her in the bed. She just hates to be rocked and held, she has never liked it. Even when she was nursed she wanted to be side lying and not touched by anyone.

She had her first shots about 2 weeks ago, cut a few more teeth, and started walking. I think once we are in our own place, she has her own space, and developmental milestones subside for a bit she will be happier. She also has a RAGING diaper rash. AWFUL. Probably from teething. She only has 4 teeth and she has been chewing like mad, prob cutting a tooth. Tonight I will give her a dose of tylenol before bed.

I wish I did have our stroller. I literally left with a bra in my hand and the clothes on our backs and a bottle and blankies and the girls lovies.

[Minxie]

The teething tablets by Hylands or Little Teethers are a godsend if she is cutting a tooth. I used to give these to my DS when he woke in the middle of the night with a toothache and he would snuggle right back down. IME, they seem to work faster than using Tylenol or Motrin.

[MommatoAandA]

Minxie- are those available at walmart? I thought I saw them there. I am willing to try anything at this point (Her dad would probably go and get them for me if I asked him to and leave them in the mailbox for me)

[MommatoAandA]

The juice is an ounce of juice to 8 ounces water. Unless it is slightly flavored she will not drink it and she will scream. she isn't very loose on juice, its the milk that makes her go. I know its awful, but its that or screaming. I have just tried to do the best with what I have.

I need to get my own place so my girls can live like they normally do. They are so off and there is so many variables going on, this isn't good for them.

[single_cj]

BIG HUG!

Will she eat yogurt at all? I mix a little cereal in with my son's yogurt about 1/2 hour before bedtime & that seems to really help him sleep - fills up that belly AND helps digestive systems...

As for the juice, the maximum recommended daily amount is 4 ounces, only 1/2 a cup! We had to tough-love our little ones out of juice in a bottle by just going cold turkey to water or milk after the first cup of juice in the morning. Now 4 and 2, they each get one small cup of juice in the morning and when that's gone it's water or milk only. It sucked for a few days but they're used to it now.

My goodness, I wish you all the best. There's NOTHING worse than listening to your LO cry and knowing that if you have to go in there you're going to snap.

[robinchap1]

Agreed on the Hylands and yes, I think they are at Walmart. And the nice thing is, you can try them or try tylenol and if one doesn't work, it is safe to give the other. There is no danger in mixing.

It sounds like you are in a really tough situation. And you're right. That is a lot going on at once and she is so little. Hugs to you both!

One moment at a time.

Is there anything else you can use for a noise machine? A fan, static on a radio station, soft music?

This won't help in the immediate because you can't get it at Walmart, but www.emilyskinsoothers.com is GREAT for bad diaper rash. They have a product especially for that. And if she has a milk allergy, that could contribute to the rash too.

If you want to get her off milk, you could try mixing milk and whatever milk substitute you choose. Start with mostly milk and a little soy (or whatever-- maybe not soy, that can be an allergy for some people too), then gradually with each bottle you give her change the proportion so she gets more and more of the substitute. She will gradually get used to a different taste without realizing it.

Get a little break when you can. Even if you can get your mom to watch her for 15 minutes and you go get some air. The more ok and steady you are, the more ok she will be.

Will she want to suck down a whole bottle? Can you give her just a little?

Hang in there!!!!

[MommatoAandA]

She is very sensitive and in tune with me and I am a mess.

My parents went away this morning to visit my bro in NY until Tues night. So no help from momma. who btw is plagued with anxiety at my bullsh*t life choices.

Anna is upstairs and peacefully sleeping. She cried a total of 4 minutes. So is my 3 year old. I feel so sorry for them. I am going to my staffing coordinator tomorrow and asking for 3 more shifts this week and next. I found an apartment for 925$ a month with everything included, 925$ to move in Sept 1 which will be perfect, right before school starts for me and DD1. That is unheard of here, pricewise. As long as they are comfy in their rooms I will sleep in the floor. I just want my kids to be ok.

[MommatoAandA]

OH! and we have Emily's cream!! We tried it on DD1 for her excema. I will try it on DD2 for her rash.

[Minxie]

Originally Posted by MommatoAandA

Minxie- are those available at walmart? I thought I saw them there. I am willing to try anything at this point (Her dad would probably go and get them for me if I asked him to and leave them in the mailbox for me)

Yes! You can also find them in the baby aisle at most grocery stores or pharmacies.