Need quick help in choosing what infant sleep book to purchase

[momtoNatalee]

What book does everyone recommend on infant sleep/ high-needs infant etc... I can't decide w/ so many to choose. My dd is 5 months and used the sleep thru the night but for almost the past month and a half she wakes up every 1.5 to 2 hrs. It is a very long story. We have tried everything! She sleeps in a pack in play bassinet next to me. We have tried putting her in our bed (we tried for a month when she was 2-3 months) It didn't work at all. Any advice would be so appreciated b/c I'm am SOOOO TIRED.

[Isis]

I'm so sorry you're so tired. I know how rough that is. I don't know what book would help with a baby that young. 5 months is too young, IMO to try anything else but giving her what she wants. I'm sorry. Hopefully someone else will have some better advice.

[alegna]

:hug

I agree with the pp that it's normal and too soon to really do much about it. What was the problem when she slept with you? I'd try to address that and see if you can't make co-sleeping work for you.

-Angela

[momtoNatalee]

Just wanted to add that I do nurse on demand and that I always try to meet all of her needs. I won't let her CIO, but I need some sleep so that I can be a better mama in the day. She will never fall asleep nursing :( And rocking doesn't always work either. I believe I need a new sling. I think she would nurse better if I could walk and do it. I like the Sutemi Gear but not sure if thats best for me? I cannot do the Maya Wrap. Thanks for any advice

[momtoNatalee]

The problem w/ co-sleeping was not enough room. DD is a very light sleeper and would constantly wake. If we had a king size bed it may work. But spent ALOT of money on this queen size before I was pregnant. It is a tall bed w/ pillow top matress(sp?) so can't push a twin up to it or it would be unlevel. But it may be worth a shot anyway. She sleeps side car style in bassinet right now.

[csrabine]

The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
The Baby Sleep Book by Dr. Sears

[irwinleah]

My baby has done the same thing. Right about 5 months she started waking every 1-2 hours. This went on for about 6 weeks. Now she's a little better, but still wakes 4-5 times a night. She nurses only once or twice and goes back to sleep other ways the rest of the time. We cosleep--we've tried the crib thing and she doesn't sleep any better and we want her with us, so that's what we do. I've read many sleep books and decided it was too much! I recommend reading NO books and going with your gut....I know how you feel and how tired you are. I'm there with you. I nap in the recliner with her on my chest for one of her naps almost every day so she'll sleep longer than 30 minutes--that way I get a little sleep, too. I just try to get through one day at a time--my hubbie is great and will take her to the couch some nights if it's particularly bad so I can sleep without hearing her every time.
Hang in there--it will get better. There were times I couldn't imagine her sleeping more than 1 1/2 hours at a time, but she is again (only 3-4) and she's 6 1/2 months. Don't try too hard at changing her, but at getting you more rest during the day. I also go to bed early, like 8:00 so I can all the little chunks of sleep I can during the night.

[lilyka]

I second the no cry sleep solution. we used it to get my 2 year old sleeping (while I was pregnant) and started right away with my newborn. i wish I had had this book with all my children. I also like "The 7 O'clock bedtime" it has god information about how a childs daytime efects thier night time.

[johub]

I think this is a normal sleep phase that babies go through. I know mine did.
Whatever book you buy this problem will get better ina few weeks. I suggest you put some energy into catching up on your sleep.
(My twins woke hourly for a month at that age and I thought I was going to die! It was grueling.)

[momtoNatalee]

Thanks you for all the replies. Last night was better. Except for the awful thunderstorm that woke everyone up at 5AM :(

[sophiesue2]

The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
The Baby Sleep Book by Dr. Sears


:yeah:

sometimes books help. if for nothing more than to help you understand infant sleep patterns, and normal behavior. i've read both of those books. the ncss is a "plan" albeit a very gentle one. the baby sleep book includes several ideas for different kinds of families, and gets right into the meat of the issue on the first page (for very tired parents).

[momtoNatalee]

Thanks for the advice. I understand what you mean by saying to go w/ my gut. If I decide to read a book it sounds like The Baby Sleep Book would be for me.

[wannabe]

NCSS is very good too. But I think it's probably best for an older baby - for example one suggestion is to start by trying to see if there's a pattern to their sleep that you can reinforce/work with, so if there's no pattern to her sleep yet it may not be so useful.