Tired and Cranky, please help me!

[ctrygirlatheart]

So my dear 14 mo had been sleeping so well (4-5 hours for the first part, then up every 1-2 to nurse after that) and she has now been replaced with a demon who doesn't sleep! It started last week when she came down with a random virus and fevered for several days, she just felt awful and I spent those nights either laying on the couch with her watching TV or doing lots of nursing in bed while she woke up off and on. Every night she would have one or two crying jags where she just couldn't be soothed by anything including nursing which is very unusual for her. She started feeling better but her sleep is only marginally better. She is hard to get to sleep at night, it seems hard for her to get back to sleep when she does wake up, she has at least one unconsolable crying jag and she keeps waking up, sitting up and pointing that she wants to go downstairs. Keep in mind she has been teething through this all and has now caught a cold. BUT this is still odd for her in spite of those things. It seems like nursing back to sleep isn't really doing it for her anymore, that she wants to get up and play in the middle of the night and I don't know what is up with the tantrums in the middle of the night. I don't know what to do here, I am exhausted and cranky and I feel like I don't know any more momma tricks to deal with this. DH is of the mind that because he works FT he doesn't have to help so that isn't really an option for us. Please help me!

[Chamomile Girl]

Hey, you're right up the hill from me!

I was about to post something very similar today about my 14 month old. So I don't really have any great advice but I do have commiseration. I do think teething has something to do with it. My poor DS is currently getting two canines and three molars all at the same time.

One question though. Do YOU think that because your DH works full time that his help is not an option? Because if not than it certainly is not off of the table. You can only go sleep deprived for so long before everything becomes insurmountable (hah! Ask me how I know). Your DH can go to bed early and then take the early hours with DD while you sleep for example. Its his kid too, regardless of his working status. JMO.

[Tway]

My 11-month-old slept a 4-5 hour stretch, then up only twice to nurse, for a whole month! Now? Yesterday she did 2 hours, fussed all night, and nursed about 5 times. ARGH!!!!! Hopefully it's just new teeth, and this phase will pass. It's so unfair!!!! The give us this little bit of hope and then...

And don't get me started on Mothers who complain they have to get up once to feed. Bah!

[ctrygirlatheart]

DH always says he will help but when it actually comes down to it, he just rolls over and ignores us. Sigh. I know this is a phase that will end, I am just so tired though. Very close to CIO sometimes. Thanks for the support.

[Chamomile Girl]

Originally Posted by ctrygirlatheart

DH always says he will help but when it actually comes down to it, he just rolls over and ignores us. Sigh. I know this is a phase that will end, I am just so tired though. Very close to CIO sometimes. Thanks for the support.

See, his entitlement is not OK. Is there a way to agree ahead of time that he will switch places with you at a specific time, and then set an alarm clock? This is probably best done for the first time on a weekend. Is he sleeping in on his days off? At least one of those days needs to be yours!

Hugs

[ctrygirlatheart]

I suppose this is really just an example of some of our marriage problems, finding an issue, discussing it and figuring out possible solutions but not getting any actual change or action on his part. Just roll over and pretend it isn't happening and it will eventually go away. Now that I think about it this is how he generally deals with problems. Unfortuanately being a parent (and being in a marriage) requires action sometimes. It just seems like he feels (by his actions) that nighttime parenting is my duty not his, but co-sleeping was his idea in the first place!
So I guess we have some more communicating to do on this issue. I also need to remember how he likes being communicated with so that he doesn't forget what we discussed, if I send him a text or a message on Facebook in the middle of the night maybe he would remember! Ha Ha!
Outside of our relationship issues, DD did sleep a little better last night, up a lot but soothed by nursing and no crying fits or asking to get up while half asleep. So I feel more rested this morning, enough to look at what solutions I can offer like getting around to incorporating a lovie and talking to her about nighttime being for sleeping.

[LadyCatherine185]

is she getting her molars or canines?

[ctrygirlatheart]

Top canines, hopefully this will be the last round of teething for a good long time. She already has her bottom ones and all of her molars. Huh didn't think of that, last ones. Yahoo!

[LadyCatherine185]

the top canines were rough on Liam, I bet once they come in things will get better. Though, the 2 year molars were rough too..