sleep. please help.

[maptome]

DD is 26 months.  Since I got pregnant, my milk dried up.  Prior to this, I would nurse DD back down after she awoke at night and even for naps.  Now, I cannot get her to sleep enough.  She always slept less than other kids her age, but now she's showing signs of sleep deprivation and is just miserable.  She refuses naps, but will fall asleep in the car but will awake when the car stops.  Should I just drive around for an hour or 2?  It's still about 100 F here around nap time.  I have no idea how to get her to sleep during the day.  She just runs out of the room screaming "no nap!".  She doesn't like to be rocked or held.  She doesn't even like to sit in my lap.  I've tried books and songs.

She's sleeping about 9 - 10 hours a night with no nap.  I'm worried sick.  No matter how early we put her to bed, she can not get enough sleep.  She will still wake up in the middle of the night for hours.  Every time she wakes up, she's in hysterics screaming to "get up; mommy get up; turn light on; walk around" etc.  If she does STTN, it's from about 8-6.

It took her about 5 months after I got pregnant, to start STTN instead of waking up every couple of hours asking to nurse only to get really angry when nothing came out.  I don't know if it's some kind of transition to STTN.

I'm going to give her chamomile tea and try to get her to go to bed at 6 tonight.

Any advice?

[behaviourmama]

I haven't been through this situation, but we have had our share of sleep stresses and it is no picnic! Will she go in a carrier? Even if she doesn't like to be held, she may think a back carrier is pretty fun.. Then you can go about your business until she falls asleep. Good luck!

[maptome]

Thanks for the response.  No, she has never liked being worn.  Its worth a try, but I don't really know which ones work well with a big pregnant belly.  Do you?

[behaviourmama]

Yikes. Sorry, that was foolish. Perhaps a more attentive/experienced reader will have better advice!

[organicviolin]

the ergo would work well with toddler on the back. Then you can still use it for baby #2. Oftentimes I have one strapped to the front, one strapped to the back

[maptome]

Ugh! I just lent out my Ergo to someone out of town.  I'm going to find some local moms who can help me find the right thing.  I think it will work...
 

Originally Posted by organicviolin 

the ergo would work well with toddler on the back. Then you can still use it for baby #2. Oftentimes I have one strapped to the front, one strapped to the back